Exam practice exemplar

Stuart Hall's theory on representation succinctly summarises the complexity of representing women in the media. Representations of women in the media have never been 'simple and straightforward' they are too influenced by the politics, social ideas and power struggle between genders that surrounds and constructs them. Some may argue that representation of women in historical media texts such as Folger's coffee advertisements are 'simple and straightforward'. The denotation of a stay at home wife/mother who is reprimanded by her working husband for making bad coffee and for not having the foresight to buy a better brand appear to be simple; woman are less intelligent than men and are constrained to the domestic environment. However, modern representation and future representation of women reflect woman's changing role in society and changing position in the power balance between men and women. In BBC 1's 2015 TV Drama Dr Foster and Smoke House's 2015 dramatic film August: Osage County it is clear to see that representations of women, in their many different roles, are hugely complicated and complex.


BBC 1's Dr Foster presents many different roles for women. The main protagonist Gemma is a professional, a GP holding down a medical practice, a marriage and fulfilling the role of mother to her son. Throughout the 6 episodes of this drama, this one character is represented as: a competent GP; an unprofessional and unethical GP; a loving wife and a revengeful seductress willing to use her body in order to manipulate her husband Simon's, demise; a kind and nurturing mother and a deranged mother willing to let her husband believe she has killed their only child in order to force a confession. Through this one very complex character it is clear to see that it is increasingly difficult to represent the myriad of personas/personalities and roles that a modern day woman can inhabit. We also have 'stock' characters such as Kate, the young, simple-minded seductress willing to believe Simon's every promise and ends up pregnant with his child, but they seem to have been included in this TV drama as an anathema to Gemma's tragically-flawed heroine. The 'gaze' here is clearly one that is perhaps 'feminine' or pro feminist. Perhaps Charlotte Moore, BBC One's controller, clearly understands her complex female viewers, the TV drama was aired at 9pm on a weekday perfect for an adult female audience desiring complex female characters to explore the complicated identity of what it means to be a woman in a modern context. Suranne Jones won Serial Drama Performance for National Television Awards 2016 for her portrayal of Gemma again highlighting the appreciation for a complex representation of what it means to be a professional working female, whilst still fulfilling the more traditional roles of wife and mother.


Smoke House's representation of women is no less complex. The all female Weston family are lead by a powerful matriarch Violet, held together by a powerful, aggressive and forthright eldest sister Barbara, softened by younger sister Ivy's compassion and shyness and in positioned in contrast to Karen's overt sexuality and desire to fulfil the role of wife.

Exam practice question

Media and Collective Identity

6 Discuss how the identity of one group of people you have studied has been ‘mediated’. [50]

7 “Media representations are complex, not simple and straightforward”. How far do you agree with this statement in relation to the collective group that you have studied? [50]

How to get an A* in the exam essay

WWW:

• student has clear knowledge of their texts with data and statistics to support their ideas
• student is discussing the theory. arguing with the essay question and also arguing against it 'however' 'on the other hand' 'in contrast'
• student continues to debate the exam question and uses evidence from both of their texts to draw out developments 
• students uses contextual information to further their debate e.g. changes in law/social change
• Student only uses media theory in order to make a point about evidence from her case studies and only uses four media theory throughout her whole essay
• Student recognises the context of her media texts and uses them to argue the essay question e.g. Dr Foster-British/London Osage County: America-deep south
• Student in their conclusion goes back to the essay question
• Student in their conclusion considers the future of their essay question and provides examples of recent changes

Peer marking

After reading the article 'It's all in the mind' consider what the writer has done well. Perhaps use the mark scheme to help you.


WWW:

• the writer focuses on how the group are represented in different mediums e.g. reality TV and TV drama
• the writer uses a wide range of examples trying to find common representation types within them e.g. short list in introduction
• clear understanding here that there is no such thing as collective identity 'many and various'
• the writer clearly understands the genre of the texts and the generic expectations we have of these fictional characters e.g. a staple of the crime genre
• the writer uses small sections of description from their texts to exemplify their point e.g. 'wedding speech'
• the writer investigates the representation e.g. uses phrases such as on the other hand
• the writer uses another text to compare/further your ideas e.g. takes things further
• the writer does describe, but turns the description into analysis. They continually use PEE structure
• the writer recognises the audience in their argument. They know the demographic of their texts BARB
• continual comparison of the texts and similarities/patterns shown where possible
• the writer understands the use of stereotypes to create familiarity, but also explores where it is challenged
• the writer recognises our need for these types of representation. e.g. stock characters, entertainment, but also investigates the need to distort them

Music used in Dr Foster

‘Never Tear Us Apart’ and it’s performed by Paloma Faith. What does this say about the representation of women?
Don't ask me
What you know is true
Don't have to tell you
I love your precious heart

I
I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart

We could live
For a thousand years
But if I hurt you
I'd make wine from your tears

I told you
That we could fly
'Cause we all have wings
But some of us don't know why

I
I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never ever tear us apart

Details for Dr Foster and August:Osage County

August: Osage County

Smoke House Pictures. The company was founded in 2006 by George Clooney and Grant Heslov after the shutdown of Section Eight Productions.
Director:John Wells           

Writers:Tracy Letts (screenplay), Tracy Letts (play)

It is produced by George Clooney, Jean Doumanian, Grant Heslov, Steve Traxler, and Bob and Harvey Weinstein.

For their performances in the film, Streep and Roberts received Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively

Dr Foster
BBC one-flagship channel 'most watched television channel.
June 2013^[update] the channel controller for BBC One is Charlotte Moore,
Writer: Mike Bartlett
Director: Tom Vaughan
Screening: BBC One 9pm weeknights
The series was commissioned by Charlotte Moore and Ben Stephenson.The executive producers are Roanna Benn, Greg Brenman, Jude Liknaitzky and Matthew Read
Suranne Jones won Serial Drama Performance for National Television Awards 2016 for her portrayal of Gemma.

What does the use of soundtrack/music do to the representation of women?

"Lay Down Sally"

There is nothing that is wrong
In wanting you to stay here with me.
I know you've got somewhere to go,
But won't you make yourself at home and stay with me?
And don't you ever leave.

[Chorus:]
Lay down, Sally, and rest you in my arms.
Don't you think you want someone to talk to?
Lay down, Sally, no need to leave so soon.
I've been trying all night long just to talk to you.

The sun ain't nearly on the rise
And we still got the moon and stars above.
Underneath the velvet skies,
Love is all that matters. Won't you stay with me?
And don't you ever leave.

[Chorus]

I long to see the morning light
Coloring your face so dreamily.
So don't you go and say goodbye,
You can lay your worries down and stay with me.
And don't you ever leave.

Mulvey's Male Gaze Theory

After reading the article please consider the following questions: (use Dr Foster and August: Osage County)

1.  ‘who is looking at whom?’ Do we, as a spectator, see women through the male gaze?
2. Are women’s bodies are often represented as fragmented, through the use of close-ups, giving women ‘the quality of [an] icon’ rather than an active agent in three-dimensional space?
3. Is the editing from a male gaze?
4. Are, men are active, ‘forwarding the story, making things happen’ in contrast to women’s passivity?

Advert for Dr Foster

What does this advert suggest about the representation of women?

Apply these key questions to your two texts

1.The Code of Surface Realism (or ‘surface accuracy’ as John Ellis puts it) Key question: Does the representation of woman look and sound to you like the real world it claims to show? Dr Foster- it is a TV drama therefore we would expect some elements of the text to be 'dramatised' in order to appeal to an audience watching this for entertainment. However, the costume, setting and props are all realistic for a western British audience. Gemma's character dresses as we would expect a 'mother' to do-she is quite conservative in her dress code and favours black/grey and navy colours to perhaps symbolise a serious nature or a more professional nature when she is in her role of GP. Gemma's house, car and possessions also adhere to the conventions of a professional woman.
Osage County- it is
2.The Code of Social or Documentary Realism Key question: Does the representation present social reality ‘like it really is’? Or ‘as it really was’?
3.The Genre Code Key question 1: Is the representation what you’d expect to see and hear in this sort or genre of text? Key question 2: Does it make you suspend your disbelief?
4.The Narrative Code Key question: Are events likely to happen in this way and in this order? (Does b follow a in a believable way?)
5.The Code of Psychology and Character Motivation Key question: Does a fictional representation invest greater realism in the psychology of its characters than in the other codes?
6.The Code of Discursive or Ideological Truth Key question: Does a fictional representation construct for its viewers a particularly compelling and persuasive sense of truth?
7.The ‘Counter-Realism’ Code of Institutional Constraint Key question: Are representations shaped by the institutions that produce them in ways that constrain or limit their realism?

A2 G325 Section B markscheme

G325 Critical Perspectives Section B Mark-scheme
	Explanation/analysis/argument	Use of examples	Use of terminology	Quality of Written Communication
Level 4 (16-20 marks) (16-20 marks) (8-10 marks)	Candidates adapt their learning to the specific requirements of the chosen question in excellent fashion and make connections in order to present a coherent argument. The answer offers a clear, fluent balance of media theories and knowledge of industries and texts and informed personal engagement with issues and debates.	Examples of theories, texts and industry knowledge are clearly connected together in   the answer. History and the future are integrated into the discussion with conviction.	Throughout the answer, material presented is informed by contemporary media theory and the command of the appropriate conceptual and theoretical language is excellent.	Complex issues have been expressed clearly and fluently using a style of writing appropriate to the complex subject matter. Sentences and paragraphs, consistently relevant, have been well structured, using appropriate technical terminology. There may be few, if any, errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Level 3 (12-15 marks) (12-15 marks) (6-7 marks)	Candidates adapt their learning to the specific requirements of the chosen question   well, in the main. The answer offers a sensible, mostly clear balance of media theories and knowledge of industries and texts, with a proficient attempt at personally engaging with issues and debates.	Examples of theories, texts and industry knowledge are connected together in places, and a clear argument is proficiently developed in response to the question. History and the future are discussed with relevance.	Material presented is mostly informed by contemporary media theory, articulated through use of appropriate theoretical terms.	Relatively straightforward ideas have been expressed with some clarity and fluency. Arguments are generally relevant, though may stray from the point of the question. There will be some errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar but these are unlikely to be intrusive or obscure meaning.
Level 2 (8-11 marks) (8-11 marks) (4-5 marks)	Candidates offer a response to the topic area with limited ability to adapt to the specific requirements of the chosen question. A partially coherent, basic argument is presented.	The answer offers some examples of theories, industry knowledge and/or texts and debates, with some basic evidence of an attempt to connect these elements. Inclusion of history and/or the future is limited.	Some of the material presented is informed by contemporary media theory, articulated through a basic use of theoretical terms.	Some simple ideas have been expressed in an appropriate context. There are likely to be some errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar of which some may be noticeable and intrusive.
Level 1 (0-7 marks) (0-7 marks) (0-3 marks)	Candidates offer a response to the topic area, with a limited degree of clarity. Personal engagement with the topic is either absent or implicit and there may be inaccuracy or a lack of conviction in presenting the response. The answer may be incomplete and/or lack relevance.	A narrow range of examples related to texts, industries or audiences is offered. Inclusion of history and/or the future may be missing.	Contemporary media theory is either absent or evident to a minimal degree.	Some simple ideas have been expressed. There will be some errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar which will be noticeable and intrusive. Writing may also lack legibility.

Updated exam questions

Section B: Contemporary Media Issues

Whichever question you answer, you must refer to examples from at least two media areas in your answer and your answer should include reference to historical, contemporary and future media.

Jan 2010

Media and Collective Identity

6 Analyse the ways in which the media represent one group of people that you have studied. [50]

7 ”The media do not construct collective identity; they merely reflect it”. Discuss. [50]

 

June 2010

Media and Collective Identity

6 Discuss how the identity of one group of people you have studied has been ‘mediated’. [50]

7 “Media representations are complex, not simple and straightforward”. How far do you agree with this statement in relation to the collective group that you have studied? [50]

 

Jan 2011

Media and Collective Identity

6 Analyse the ways in which the media represent groups of people. [50]

7 What is collective identity and how is it mediated? [50]  

 

June 2011

Media and Collective Identity

6 Discuss how one or more groups of people are represented through the media. [50]

7 Explain the role played by the media in the construction of collective identity. [50]

 

Jan 2012

Media and Collective Identity

6. How do media representations influence collective identity? You may refer to one group of people or more in your answer.

7. Discuss the different ways in which groups of people are represented by media. You may refer to one group of people or more in your answer.

 

June 2012

Media and Collective Identity

6. Analyse the ways in which at least one group of people is ‘mediated’.

7. Discuss the social implications of media in relation to collective identity. You may refer to one group of people or more in your answer.

 

Jan 2013

Media and Collective Identity

6 Analyse the impact of media representation on the collective identity of one or more groups of people.

7 Compare the different ways in which one or more groups of people are represented by media.

 

June 2013

Media and Collective Identity

6 Explain what is meant by ‘collective identity’ and the role of media in its construction.

7 “Media representations are just reflections of reality, not constructions or distortions.” Discuss with reference to one or more group(s) of people.

 

June 2014

Media and Collective Identity

6 Media and collective identity: how does one affect the other?

7 “Media simply represent collective identity, they don’t create it.” How far do you agree with this statement? Make reference to one of more group(s) of people in your answer.

June 2015

Media and Collective Identity

6 Analyse the ways in which media representations today construct collective identity, with reference to one or more group(s) of people you have studied.

7 ‘The media do not construct reality, they merely offer a window on the world’. Discuss this statement with reference to the representation of collective identities.