This document provides information about Section A of the AS television drama exam. It defines key terms like television drama, representation, stereotypes, conforms, and subverts. It explains that Section A focuses on textual analysis and representation in a short, unseen TV drama clip. Students will have 30 minutes to view and take notes on the clip before answering a 45-minute exam question about how a specified social group (e.g. gender, ethnicity) is represented in terms of conforming to or subverting stereotypes. Sample questions and a video example are provided to illustrate these concepts.

1. On White-Boards
Thoughts, words, associations!
Thoughts, words, associations!

2. Maintain presentation :Maintain presentation :
UnderlineUnderline your work;your work; write neatlywrite neatly
• TitleTitle
• DateDate
• Lesson objectiveLesson objective
TV Drama
Lesson objective
To understand the format of ‘Section A’ of the AS
examination.
To define some of the key terminology relevant to the
exam.

3. Lesson Outcomes
GradeGrade OutcomeOutcome
CC
All will understand the definitions of five key terms andAll will understand the definitions of five key terms and
the format of the TV Drama part of the exam.the format of the TV Drama part of the exam.
BB
Most will accurately apply those key terms to discussMost will accurately apply those key terms to discuss
the representation of a character.the representation of a character.
AA
Some will be able to define representations of socialSome will be able to define representations of social
groups through whether their representation conforms orgroups through whether their representation conforms or
subverts stereotypes.subverts stereotypes.
LiteracLiterac
y Outcomey Outcome
To use full sentences and accurate spellings of keyTo use full sentences and accurate spellings of key
words.words.

4. Section A : Textual Analysis and
Representation
Textual analysis skills;
understanding of the concept of representation using
a short, unseen moving image extract;
Whole exam - 2 hours including 30 minutes for
viewing and making notes on the moving image
extract);

5. Question
Paper
Notes
30 mins
Section A
45 mins
Section B
45 mins

6. The Exam

7. TV Drama

8. Areas of Representation
You will only know what area of representation you have to focus on
in the exam.
ONE area will be specified.
gender
age
ethnicity
sexuality
class and status
physical ability / disability
• regional identity

9. Keywords
Television Drama
Representation
Stereotypes
Conform
Subvert

10. Keyword Table
Use a pencil and a ruler
Use a pencil and a ruler
Key TermKey Term DefinitionDefinition
TelevisionTelevision
DramaDrama
A story that is presented in a dramatic way and explores a range ofA story that is presented in a dramatic way and explores a range of
genre from soap opera to science-fiction to costume drama. A piece ofgenre from soap opera to science-fiction to costume drama. A piece of
film that engages with the issues of the day in an accessible fashion i.e.film that engages with the issues of the day in an accessible fashion i.e.
through believable characters, fantastic locations or plots.through believable characters, fantastic locations or plots.
RepresentatRepresentat
ionion
The portrayal of someone or something in a particularThe portrayal of someone or something in a particular
way.way.
StereotypeStereotype
A widely held, fixed and often over-simplified image ofA widely held, fixed and often over-simplified image of
idea of a particular type of person or thing.idea of a particular type of person or thing.
ConformConform To comply, obey, keep to, adhere to.To comply, obey, keep to, adhere to.
SubvertSubvert To overthrow, upset, overturn.To overthrow, upset, overturn.

11. Conforms or Subverts?
This is Fatboy from BBC’s
soap opera ‘EastEnders’.
Complete the following
sentences using the scene we
are about to see as evidence
to support your thoughts.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=k4_NugXZDBE

12. Conforms or Subverts
Fatboy is represented as…
His character is constructed to
conform to / subvert
stereotypes of ___________.
This is done through…

13. Plenary
On the A3, the social groups you need to understand
are listed.
Consider how each is represented in the media; what
would we see that conforms and what could be shown
that would subvert the stereotypical representations?