An introduction to AS Media Studies

1. An Introduction to Media
Learning Objective:
Students will be able to analyse magazine covers using
the assessment criteria effectively
CWK 4th
September 2014

2. What are your expectations of Media
Studies?

3. Assessment Objectives
AO2
Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analysing
media products and evaluating their own practical work.
AO3
Demonstrate the ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical
and creative skills.
AO4
Demonstrate the ability to undertake and apply appropriate research.
For each assessment objective, explain what
you think each one is asking you to do.
For each assessment objective, explain what
you think each one is asking you to do.

4. AO2 AO3 AO4
Objective Apply knowledge and understanding
when analysing media products and
processes and evaluating their own
practical work, to show how meanings
and responses are created.
Demonstrate the ability to plan
and construct media products
using appropriate technical
and creative skills.
Demonstrate the ability to
undertake, apply and present
appropriate research.
A/B
Description
Candidates characteristically:
a) communicate understanding of
media forms, codes or conventions;
b) link media products and processes
to the creation of meaning;
c) evaluate their own work with
reference to these aspects or the
shaping of audience response.
Candidates characteristically:
a) construct a media product
using appropriate technical
and creative skills;
b) demonstrate controlled use
of the selected technology.
Candidates characteristically:
a) communicate an
understanding of research
skills and appropriate
methods;
b) present relevant research
findings or conclusions;
c) produce a reflective
evaluation of the process and
its outcomes.
E/U
Description
Candidates characteristically:
a) communicate a basic
understanding of media forms, codes
and conventions;
b) explore through analysis of media
products and processes how these
aspects create meaning;
c) evaluate their own work with
reference to these aspects and the
shaping of audience response.
Candidates characteristically:
a) construct a media product
using basic technical and
creative skills;
b) demonstrate basic use of
the selected technology.
Candidates characteristically:
a) communicate an
understanding of research
skills and methods;
b) present research findings or
conclusions;
c) comment on the research
process or its outcomes.

5. Grade Boundaries
A = 100–80
B = 79–70
C = 69–60
D = 59–50
E = 49–40

6. AS G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media
This assesses:
• Ability to plan and construct media products
• Use technical and creative skills
• Application of knowledge and understanding when
evaluating work

7. Planning Report 1
• Initial research into magazine covers
• Initial research of contents pages
• Details of decisions made: genre of music and target audience
• More research into your chosen genre (magazine covers, if you don’t
have many in your initial research)
• Questionnaire to determine audience needs
• Individual interviews
• Group Interviews
• Planning report one

8. Today’s Task
1. By the end of the lesson you should have
found and annotated at least 10
magazine front covers, for a range of
genres and audiences. Annotate
features and evaluate effect.
(use terminology to help you annotate
features in more detail)

9. Presentational Features of a Magazine front cover
• Cover lines : Information about major articles given on the front page of a magazine
• Left-side third/ Left-hand third: A lot of important information designed to attract potential
readers is placed in the left-hand side vertical third of the front cover page. This is in case the
magazine is displayed in a horizontal shelving system rather than a vertical one.
• Masthead: The title of the magazine or newspaper. It is usually placed at the top of the front
cover for display purposes
• Plug: Information about the contents of a magazine or newspaper given on the front cover
• Puff: Words or phrases on the cover of a magazine used to boost status
• Text: Writing on the magazine cover
• Font: style of writing
• Date, price, barcode
• Image: Photograph (s) on the front of the magazine. Usually one main one which relates to
the cover story, usually a medium close-up but can vary. Smaller shots are usually long-shots.
Task: Now find a magazine cover and annotate its presentational features. Does it conform
to or challenge conventions? Why?
(As with everything, keep all tasks in a file, this is part of your research)

10. Expectations
• Keep a ring binder folder with sections for your
notes and research and planning
• Title and date all work
• Buy a 8GB memory stick (students lost work last
year as their user areas filled up)
• Do work as it is set, this ensures you meet
deadlines (failure to miss deadlines affects marks)
• ENJOY!

11. Coursework Tasks
• You will complete a preliminary task. A front of a new
school/college magazine featuring a picture of a
student (medium close up) as well as a contents page
• Main task: the front page, contents and
double page spread of a new music
magazine

12. Summer Work?
• 1. Find a varied collection of music magazine
covers and annotate each stating the genre of
music and the audience of each (at least 5 front
covers).
• 2. Annotate design features that help attract its
audience
• 3. Choose the most effective front cover and
write your reasons why.
• 4. Set up your own blog and link it to the
Cardinal Newman Media blogspace (address
given in lesson). Customise your space
according to your preferences. Problem with the
blog. Will be sorted.