1. Evaluating Representations of Youth in The Media
Aims and Objectives
To research and record a range of representations of young people in the Media
To apply media key concepts to presentation (ML/TA/REP)
To create plan of own representation of youth image to develop later
Representation Presentation
In this task you will you find a range of images or articles from the media that re-present
youth to a wider audience.
You will use your textual analysis skills to explain what is being re-presented to the
audience. You will use your evaluation skills to assess how something has been
represented to you (see sliding scale provided). You will also use your understanding of
target audience to outline who the images are being represented to.

2. Success Criteria For The Task
Main Task (Everybody to complete)
1. To produce a presentation that analyses images of youth in the media. Use BRIEF
annotations to discuss the following:
· Use of Technical Codes
· Use of Costume/Props Codes
· Use of Non-Verbal Communication Codes: Facial Expressions/Body Language
· Use of setting or context
2. To comment upon how you think youth have been represented in the media. Do you think the
representation is fair, legitimate, positive or negative? Use the Questions of Representation
work sheet to help you. Use the sliding scale provided mark an x where you think the
representation lies to help you judge how it has been represented and prepare you notes.
Development (most will complete)
3. Consider and record the context of the media that the image is found in and suggest who might
be reading it. Outline who you think the target audience is that’s reading the image. This will
help you consider the effects of the representation.
Extension Task (some will complete)
4. Are there any facts or statistics that you can find to support the VALIDITY of the representation
you have covered? Include these in you presentation to support your findings.

3. Evaluating Representation
Here is a sliding scale that will encourage you to consider how young people are represented in the
media. Choose an image that has been represented in the media and use this scale to mark where
your opinion is on the spectrum. Harry Potter has been plotted as an example. You could then use
the writing frame below to draw out extended comments.
X
X
X
X
Representation of Youth: Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a children's fantasy novel involving wizards and school children. The representation
of youth is more fantastic that it is authentic. However, the positive qualities of resilience
and determination can be found in young people today. Even though young people do not fly or
cast spells they can be heroes. The representation of youth in Harry Potter is both entertaining
and surreal as it is a big budget film with the purpose of entertaining a wide audience.

4. Questions of Representation
What is being represented? Opportunity to use technical codes
How is it being represented? Opportunity to use sliding scale
What messages does it send to teenage boys? Opportunity to consider media effects debate
What messages does it send to teenage girls? Opportunity to consider media effects debate
Fair and legitimate
Positively/Negatively
Stereotypical
adhering or challenging stereotypes?
Use this sliding scale evaluate how
youth have been represented the media

5. Youth Representation in Harry Potter
This image has used a medium long shot to
show Harry Potter in full school uniform including
wizard robes to connote the fantastical aspect of
the film.
A slight high angle has been employed to elevate HP's
status and represent him as a hero. He is looking
directly at the camera connoting confidence and his
facial expression conveys resilience and determination
representing him in a positive way.
The use of props involve a wand, which seems to be
used in a conflict situation, and this is anchored by the
facial expressions of HP which connote resilience and
determination. The glasses might suggest intelligence
as that is what the stereotype is often used for.
The body language is suggestive of determination and
discipline as HP has a straight posture which represents
those qualities, this is no slacker, and works in harmony
with the facial expressions of the character.
Youth Representation in Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a children's fantasy novel involving wizards and school children. The representation of youth
is more fantastic that it is authentic. However, the positive qualities of resilience and determination can
be found in young people today. Even though young people do not fly or cast spells, they can be heroes. The
representation of youth in Harry Potter is both entertaining and surreal as it is a big budget film with the
purpose of entertaining a wide audience.