1. A2 MEDIA: SECTION B
REVISION
Lesson Objectives: To review Section B of the
Media Exam.

2. Exam Format
 Answer both questions in Section A.
 1(a) progression of skills – both AS and A2
coursework
 1(b) applying theory – A2 coursework
 Spend one hour on this section (30 minutes on
1(a) and 30 minutes on 1(b).
 Answer one question in Section B on the
Media and Collective Identity topic.
 Spend one hour on this question.

3. Section B – Media and Collective
Identity

4. Assessment Criteria

5. Examiners’ Reports

6. Examiners’ Report

7. Key Advice
 Contemporary texts – the majority of your
essay should be focused on media texts
produced since 2009 (though you must include
some reference to historical texts to achieve
Level 4).
 Include critical analysis of theory.
 Develop a balanced argument – weighing up
different views.

8. Collective Identity and the
Media
 What is the relationship between media and
collective identity?
 Does the media inform collective identity or
not?

9. Media influence on collective
identity
 The media must have some effect on
understanding of identity (Gauntlett).
 Media as ideological state apparatus
(Althusser).
 Moral panics (Cohen).
 Cultivation theory (Gerbner).

10. Limited Media influence on
Identity
 Identity is complex (Gauntlett) – including
collective identity – youth identities rather than
youth identity?
 Hall – audience response –
negotiated/oppositional
 Fiske – audience more powerful than
producers – no such thing as the ‘audience’.
 Demos study – young people/teachers reject
media representations.

11. Argument
 The key to doing well in this question is to
develop an argument.
 Media texts tend to represent young people
negatively. These representations reinforce
hegemonic values. Whilst the media has
some influence on our understanding of
identity, identities are complex and audience
responses will vary. Some contemporary
representations attempt to challenge dominant
negative representations.

12. Argument Simplified
 Media representations generally aim to
encourage consensus/conformity.
 Negative representations of youth show what
is unacceptable in society.
 As a result youth identity seen negatively.
 However this may have a limited effect in
understanding of identity.

13. Structure
 Introduction – carefully chosen quote introducing
argument, focus and texts.
 Historical representation – 1950s JD movies and
Rebel Without a Cause
 Contemporary Negative representations –
Hoodies and Altar Boys study/DEMOS study;
Harry Brown
 Attack the Block/Misfits
 The Selfish Giant
 Conclusion – sum up argument, prediction for the
future.

14. Discussing the Media Texts
 How are young people represented?
 Why are they represented in this way?
 What are the social implications (effects) of the
representation?
 How does this link to theory?
 What does the text suggest about the
relationship between media and collective
identity?

15. Historical Representations
 JD movies of the 1950s reflected anxiety about
juvenile delinquency, perceived crisis of
masculinity – reflecting adult anxieties (Giroux).
 How are young people represented?
 How does this link to theory?
 What does this tell you about the relationship
between media and collective identity?
 Constructed by adults – reinforces hegemonic
values.
 James Dean as icon.

16. Contemporary Negative
 Hoodies or Altar Boys
 Harry Brown
 Negative, extreme representations.
 Link to theory.
 How would audiences respond?
Negotiated/oppositional.

17. Misfits/Attack the Block/Selfish
Giant
 Use of negative stereotypes in more
sympathetic context.
 Perpetuating stereotypes or challenging them?
(Wearing)
 Issue of social class – complexity of collective
identity – is working class youth identity the
same as middle class youth identity?

18. Conclusion
 Sum up argument – how is youth represented
in the media? What is the effect of this?
 What is the relationship between media and
youth identity?
 Prediction for the future – how/why might
representations change/stay the same?

19. Section B – Final Tips
 Refer to at least two types of media.
 Refer to historical and future.
 Most of essay should be focused on
contemporary (since 2009) representations.
 Link to theory throughout.
 Clear, balanced argument in relation to effect
of media representations/link between media
representations and collective identity.