This document introduces media conventions and codes through a conventions quiz worksheet. It defines conventions as generally accepted ways of doing things in a medium and codes as systems of signs that create meanings. Technical codes convey literal information while symbolic codes show deeper meanings. The document asks students to name act/adv subgenres like story, documentary, fantasy, and quest. It explains that codes and conventions must be analyzed together when studying genres. For example, backlighting in horror uses technical lighting codes to conventionally create mystery and suspense.

1. CONVENTIONSQUIZ WORKSHEET NAME: _______________________
There are manydifferent_________ of act/adv genreswhichall have theirownsetof codesand conventions,these
are calleds_________.
Name the act/adv subgenresyouwere introducedto:
• S________________ (ie.________________)
• D________________ (ie.________________)
• F________________ (ie.________________)
• Q________________ (ie.________________)
• T________________ (ie.________________)
• H________________ (ie.________________)
What are codes?
• Codesare systemsof ________, whichcreate __________. Codescanbe dividedintotwo
categories:technical andsymbolic.
• Technical codesare all the ways inwhichequipmentisusedtotell the ________ ina mediatext,for
example the cameraworkina film.(AKA as medial____________)
• Symboliccodesshowwhatis ___________ the surface of what we see.Forexample,acharacter's
actionsshowyouhow the character is ___________.
• Some codesfitbothcategories – musicfor example,isboth technical andsymbolic.
What are conventions?
• Conventionsare the generallya__________ waysof doingsomething.There are general
conventionsinanymedium, suchasthe use of intervieweequotesinaprintarticle,butconventions
are also________ specific.
How codes and conventionsapply in mediastudies
• Codesandconventionsare usedt____________ inany studyof genre – itis not enoughtodiscussa
technical code usedsuchas camera work,withoutsayinghow itisconventionallyusedinagenre.
• For example,the technical code of lightingisusedinsome wayinall filmgenres.Itisa conventionof
the horror genre that side andback lightingisusedtocreate mysteryandsuspense –an integral part
of anyhorror movie.
PEER ASSESSEDBY: _______________________
Homework:Due tomorrow
The 3 bestact/adv conventionsIlearnedfrommypeersare:
1.__________________________________________ Example:________________________________________
2. __________________________________________ Example: ________________________________________
3. __________________________________________ Example:________________________________________
Optional challenge extension:The effectof these conventionsonthe audience are:
1.
2.
3.

2. CONVENTIONSQUIZ WORKSHEET NAME: _______________________
There are manydifferent_________ of act/adv genreswhichall have theirownsetof codesand conventions,these
are calleds_________.
Name the act/adv subgenresyouwere introducedto:
• S________________ (ie.________________)
• Di_____________r (ie.________________)
• ________________ (ie.________________)
• Q________________ (ie.________________)
• Th_______________ (ie.________________)
• ________________ (ie.________________)
What are codes?
• Codesare systemsof ________, whichcreate m__________. Codescan be dividedintotwo
categories:technical andsymbolic.
• Technical codesare all the ways inwhichequipmentisusedtotell the ________ ina mediatext,for
example the cameraworkina film.(AKA as medial____________)
• Symboliccodesshowwhatis ___________ the surface of what we see.Forexample,acharacter's
actionsshowyouhow the character is f___________.
• Some codesfitbothcategories – musicfor example,isbothtechnical andsymbolic.
What are conventions?
• Conventionsare the generally__________ waysof doingsomething.There are generalconventions
inany medium,suchasthe use of intervieweequotesinaprintarticle,butconventionsare also
________ specific.
How codes and conventionsapply in mediastudies
• Codesandconventionsare usedt____________ inany studyof genre – itis not enoughtodiscussa
technical code usedsuchas camera work,withoutsayinghow itisconventionallyusedinagenre.
• For example,the technical code of lightingisusedinsome wayinall filmgenres.Itisa conventionof
the horror genre that side andback lightingisusedtocreate mysteryandsuspense –an integral part
of anyhorror movie.
PEER ASSESSEDBY: _______________________
Homework:Due tomorrow
The 3 bestact/adv conventionsIlearnedfrommy peersare:
1.__________________________________________ Example:________________________________________
2. __________________________________________ Example:________________________________________
3. __________________________________________ Example:________________________________________
Optional challenge extension:The effectof these conventionsonthe audience are:
1.
2.
3.
HELP WORD BANK (may be incorrect)
holiday accepted types quest
fiction tactfully together
fantasy swash__________ journey
story subgenres genre historical