The document provides guidance for an essay on media representations of social groups. It includes prompts for discussing historical representations, comparing them to contemporary examples from fiction, non-fiction and self-representation. The document advises including theory from scholars like Stuart Hall and considering the social implications of representations like stereotyping and their impact on attitudes. It suggests examining the extent to which identity is increasingly "mediated" through various media and offering a prediction for the future of representations.

1. L.O.1 To start to link all the work
together: drawing in theory and
media texts

2. Identity Boxes
Grab your identity boxes and sit opposite someone
you do not know so well
You have one minute each to tell each other about
how your box represents your identity
You will have to feedback to the class what you have
learnt about your partner

3. How do contemporary media represent different collective
groups in different ways?
• This must be the main focus of your
essay!
• Diverse representations including fiction,
non-fiction and self-representation:
• Harry Brown, Fish Tank, The
Inbetweeners, Attack the Block, The
London Riots news coverage, The
Internet and self mediation

4. How does contemporary representation compare with that
of the past?
• Examples needed for similarity and
difference
• Examples from the past – Quadrophenia
– the film and the representations of
Mods and Rockers
• Have they changed? – Plato quote…..?

5. What are the social implications of different media
representations of groups of people?
• Stereotyping: what is its impact?
• What power does the audience have to
‘resist’?
• Propaganda, Moral panic, youth as empty
categories, cultural hegemony, Stuart Hall
and reading the texts and their messages
• Statistics on result of these representations
on attitudes and beliefs Vs the reality of the
issues

6. To what extent is human identity increasingly ‘mediated’ ?
• Increasing media = increasing mediation?
• Re-presentation by others/by selves
(Facebook/Youtube (Youthtube))
• Be critical of who is offering the
representations and for what purpose
• Mediated: How the Media Shapes Your
World and the Way You Live in It

7. Guidance
Add your own personal opinion
What, in your opinion is the future of representations
and what are you basing this on?
Connections must be made between the examples /
contrasts are discussed.
You must embed the theory into what you are saying

8. Examiner Advice - Structure
• Introduction – start with a quote, paraphrase it, and
link to issues of identity, representation, and the
media. State your focus (social group and texts).
• Historical example.
• Contemporary examples.
• Connect examples together.
• Conclusion – return to start. Prediction for the future.

9. Examiner Advice
Use referencing – name and year of publication given
after first mention, e.g. (Giroux, 1997).
Quote – paraphrase – critique.
One text older then 5 years.
Other texts should be from within last 5 years.
Make a prediction for the future.

10. Exam Style Question
What are the social implications of the ways in which
different media represent social groups?

11. Introduction
• Quote from theorist – discussion
• Introduction of topic.
• Cultural theorist Henry A. Giroux argues that in media representations of
young people ‘youth becomes an empty category’ (1997) which reflects the
anxieties and interests of adult society. From this perspective media
representations of the collective identities of young people are constructed
by adults, and serve the needs of adult society. This approach to youth
identity and the media raises several questions about the relationship
between media and identity which will be explored in this essay.
Contemporary film, television, and print media representations of young
people appear to consistently reflect an adult perspective. The collective
‘identity’ of young people constructed by media representations arguably
has a social function.

12. Examiners Advice
• Historical Representations
– Example – significance – theory – critique
• Contemporary Examples – newspapers
– Example – significance – theory – critique
• Contemporary Examples – Film
– Example – significance – theory – critique
• Contemporary Examples – Television
– Example – significance – theory – critique
• Connections/effects

13. Conclusion
• Return to the start.
• Summarise key idea.
• Prediction for the future.
– Mass media construct representations of youth from a middle
class, adult perspective, for the ideological purpose of
maintaining hegemony.
– Impact of new media technologies/internet – more potential
for self-representation; limited impact compared to mass
media.