1. A2 Media Studies Induction Project
Research into Media Representations of
Young People
Research the Representation of Young People in the Media
Task: In your groups conduct research to help you answer the question
‘how are young people represented in the media?’
Your research should include primary and secondary sources. Primary
research could take the form of you analysing media texts and explaining how
you think young people are represented. Secondary research could include
finding articles on the internet about how young people are represented.
Try to find some general background information initially, and then move onto
detailed analysis of the representation of young people using specific
examples from different media.
You could look at how young people are represented in newspapers, film,
television programmes, advertising, etc.
In your research you need to think about what messages about young people
are communicated through the representation. What is the purpose of the
representation? Are they positive or negative? Stereotypical/unstereotypical?
Who constructed the representation and who is it aimed at? What effects do
you think the representation will have?
Present your Research Findings
You will present your work in the final lesson of the week. Your presentation
should have a clear structure:
• Introduction – outline what you will be discussing
• Content – explain what you found out about media representations of
young people, supported by relevant examples
• Summary – end your presentation with a brief summary of your key
points
You need to ensure that the information in your presentation is relevant
to your research question.
In your presentation you should:
• Explain the key things you found from your research
• Support the points you make with reference to examples (e.g. clips,
images, quotes)
• Link your research to at least one theoretical concept studied this week
(representation, audience, narrative, genre, subcultures)
• Link your research findings to the representation of young people in

2. A2 Media Studies Induction Project
Paranoid Park
• Evaluate the usefulness of your research methods
How your work will be assessed:
Your presentations will be assessed through both peer assessment, and by
your teacher. The presentations will be marked in relation to:
• Relevance of information
• Clarity of presentation
• Use of examples
• Use of theory
• Structure
• Team Work
Sample Assessment Grid
Group Name:______________________
1 2 3 4 5
Relevance
Clarity
Examples
Theory
Structure
Team Work
Total
/30
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