Good exam answers include specific examples, are well structured using paragraphs and full sentences, and incorporate relevant media theory. Students should explore potential topics and examples for each question to choose strong case studies and texts that can be analyzed using appropriate regulations, contemporary issues, and theories. The focus of the questions is on media concepts using the provided texts, issues and debates bringing in outside examples, and wider contexts requiring analysis beyond just the texts. High scoring answers will thoroughly reference the texts, include a range of points, integrate the student's own opinions backed by evidence, and for some questions discuss different perspectives on an issue.

1. What makes a good exam
answer?
What do you think that the
examiners (and I) are looking
for?

2. Good answers include:

3. Good answers include:
• EXAMPLES!!!!!!!!!!
-own case study examples
-detail/specifics
• Well structured
- paragraphs
- full sentences.
- P.E.E.L
- introduction and conclusion. (Concise)
• THEORY!
Not ‘thrown in’
• -Language
- spag
-formal language
- sort of, kind of, might,

4. What do you know?
Look at the potential topics outlined on each
piece of paper. Use this to explore different
ideas and examples that you could include on a
question about this topic.
• On the left, identify any specific media texts
and examples you could reference.
• On the right, identify any specific theory,
regulations, thoughts and contemporary
issues relating to this area.

5. Internet

6. Youth audiences

7. Female identity

8. Marginalized groups

9. Globalisation
the idea that the world is becoming
increasingly interconnected through one global
culture.

10. TV

11. Regulation

12. News

13. Film

14. Print

15. Politics

16. Social media

17. Identity

18. New and digital media

19. Making links...
Can you now make an informed choice as to
the strongest examples that you could
discuss on this topic.
• Select two media texts
• Regulations and contemporary issues
• Some relevant theory that could be applied
here.

20. Topic, concept, issue,
platform
Example Example
Theory
regulations Contemporary
issues
Terminology Theory Terminology

21. Marginalised groups
Advert – Maltesers
Uses people with varying
disabilities as the
main protagonist in
their adverts.
Represented as funny.
Paralympics
advert ‘yes I
can’
Positive
represe
ntation
Regulations
Channel 4 remit -
representation
Under represented in main
stream media.
Used genuine disabled actors
and athletes in both
examples.
Reinforcing the
ever changing
dominant
ideology of
disability –
particularly the
Paralympics
Institutions and
hegemony
Reception theory
Different styles of advert in
a series will hopefully
appeal to a variety of
audience types

22. SECTION A – FOCUS OF THE
QUESTIONS AND TIPS
FOCUS OF THE QUESTIONS
The focus of the 3 questions are:
1. Media concepts
Use the unseen products to answer a question on forms, representations, institutions, audiences or values. This
paper and the sample papers have been on representation as a gentle introduction to the new paper, but question 1.
can be on any of the concepts.
2. Media issues and debates
Use the unseen products to answer a question on media issues and debates. You may refer to other media products
to support your answer. The ‘may’ is intended to encourage candidates to move beyond the two unseen exam
products, they will get more marks if they do, but they can still get a pass level if they don’t.
3. Wider contexts
Use the unseen products to answer a question on wider contexts. You should move beyond the texts, referring to
other media products to support
your answer. The ‘should’ is intended to tell candidates they will be expected to move beyond the two unseen
products and include other examples. For question 2 and 3 candidates can include examples from either of their
individual case studies, class work they have done and from their own media use.

23. TIPS FOR ACHIEVING A
GOOD MARK
1. Use the marks awarded to questions as a guide to how long to spend on
each answer - Q1 8 marks, Q2 12 marks and Q3 12 marks.
2. Answer the particular question.
3. Make detailed references to the two media products, especially in
question 1 to illustrate the points made.
4. Higher level answers include a range of points, not just repeated
explanation of one or two points.
5. Higher level answers include candidates own opinions explained and
justified, especially for question 2 and 3. They take a standpoint and back
it up with wider contexts and examples from other media products. Also if
it is relevant to the question higher level answers discuss the different
sides of the argument and show a sense of debate.