1. D GROUP
Page 1 of 3
Guidance on Representation Essays (30 MARKS)
The question could be on the following areas:
 Gender (The exam usually asks you to look at males or females specifically)
 Ethnicity
 Age (once again, this could be more specific- older people/younger people)
 Issues
 Events
 Regional and National Identities (Again it could ask you to focus on either National
Identities or Regional identities)
We have covered the following:
Gender:
WOMEN
 Case Study 1 - The Hunger Games – (2012) Gary Ross– subverts stereotype of
gender roles. Convergence of Feminine Masculinity. Is the convergence of femininity
– e.g. retaining sex appeal and masculinity – e.g. handling weapons/indifference to
violence
 Case Study 2- Cosmopolitan (March 2013) Front cover– Mollie (The Saturdays) -
ambiguous representations- part stereotypical, part subverted
 Case Study 3 - FHM Magazine (Dec 2013) – Diane Vickers- stereotypical
representation of women – the sex object, male gaze theory
 Case Study - Beyonce – Rule the World (Girls) (2011) music video – representation of
a strong yet sexualised woman.
MEN
 Case Study 1 - Joey Essex (2012)– This Morning TV clip– make over clip and The
Only Way is Essex gym clip (subverts stereotype of men normally seen)
 Case Study 2 - Aero Bubbles advert (female gaze)
 Case Study 3 Skyfall (2012) Sam Mendes(Stereotypical rep of men)
 Case Study 4 - Print - Men’s Health Magazine - March 2010 (Jason Statham)/could
also use Kerrang (Feb 2013) - Black Veil Brides –as an alternative representation
Ethnicity:
 Case Study 1 - Top Boy (2011) Channel 4 – dominant, negative representation, use of
stereotypes link to Alvarado theory of ‘dangerous’ to help you discuss.

2. D GROUP
Page 2 of 3
 Case Study 2 - Cosmopolitan Magazine (May 2013) – Alesha Dixon, comments on
racism in magazines
 Case Study 3- The Sun – ‘Unveiled’, 17th September 2013 – issues of Islamophobia
and negative representations and stereotypes in newspapers
 Case Study 4- Four Lions – (2010) Chris Morris – alternative representation through
comedy – is this problematic?
 Case Study 6 - Honesty Policy – (2014) representation through viral music video,
offers an alternative representation of Muslims
 Case Study 6 - Eastenders and Coronation Street (2014) Soap operas– Muslim
families, tokenism, positive representation?
Age -
YOUTH:
 Case Study 1: ill Manors (2012) music video (can be used for ethnicity, gender, age
and events (if you are desperate!) – Stereotypical representation with ideological
message. Good for audience response too.
 Case Study 2: Teen Awards (2013) – ‘Heroes’ clip – positive representation
 Case Study 3: Attack the Block (2011) (can be used for ethnicity, gender, age) –
negative representation with positive under tones
 Case Study 4 - Skins Trailer Season 3 (2009) – stereotypical representation,
depending on target audience
OLDER AGE:
 Case study 4: BBC News (24th April 2014) – Elderly as economic burden – negative
representation of older age
 Case study 5: Catherine Tate’s ‘Nan’ comedy sketch (2009) – elderly stereotype
featuring idiosyncrasies – comedy and stereotypes
 Case Study 6: Saga Magazine (Feb, 2013) – Front cover analysis – Helen Mirren–
confident- challenging stereotypes of older age.
Regional and National Identity -
NATIONAL:
 Case Study 1: Dolce and Gabbana advertising posters (Spring 2014) – Italy as
glamorous, Catholic, wealthy
 Case Study 2: Sky News internet story on Olympics not being ready in Rio (April
2014) – Brazil as disorganised and Third World

3. D GROUP
Page 3 of 3
REGIONAL:
 Case Study 3: Somerset flood photograph (The Telegraph, 2014) – Somerset as
middle/upper class, rural, a natural disaster zone.
Events -
 Case Study 1: Nelson Mandela’s funeral (2013) – BBC News John Simpson report and
Daily Express online news article.
 Case Study 2: The class did group presentations on a variety of events (including the
Oscars, tennis match, Celebrity Big Brother). You will have your own
notes/PowerPoints. Handouts were given out by other members of the group.
Issues -
 Case Study 1: Poverty in Channel 4’s ‘Benefits Street’
 Case Study 2: The class did handouts on a variety of issues. These can be found on
iLearn: Go to MS1 Representation – scroll down to ‘Saffron’s Students’
Representation resources’ – you will find them there.