Stereotypes

• Before you really begin to analyse your texts you need to think about what the word 'stereotype' means to you.
• To begin your research you need to start thinking about what you expect to find. What do you expect to be represented by your chosen social group?  For example: Do you expect all young parents to be depicted as living off the state with no hopes for their future? Do you expect all female police officers to be portrayed as masculine or depicted as vulnerable to their male counterparts?
• After you have done this you can then research to investigate whether your expectations of representation are met or whether something more complex is going on...