This document provides information and guidance about Section A of the A2 Media Studies exam. Section A focuses on evaluating students' coursework productions through a theoretical lens. Students will be asked to discuss the development of their skills from AS to A2, analyzing one of their productions in relation to a key media concept. The document provides sample exam questions, criteria for high-scoring answers, and advice on reflecting on one's progression and use of digital technology over the course of study.

1. A2 Media Studies ExamSection A: Theoretical Evaluation of Production

2. Lesson ObjectivesTo evaluate how your use of digital technology developed from AS to A2.

3. Media TheoristsThink of one example of a key media theorist in relation to each of the following media concepts:RepresentationAudienceNarrative Genre

4. A2 Media ExamTwo sections to the Media exam.The exam is 2 hours long = 1 hour per section.Section A is the theoretical evaluation of your coursework productions.Section B is Media in the Online Age.

5. Section A looks like this

6. Question 1(a) – Skills DevelopmentQuestion 1(a) will ask you to describe and evaluate the development of your skills from your AS to A2 productions.The question will ask you to discuss how your skills have developed in relation to one or two of the following:Digital technologyCreativityResearch and planningPost-productionUsing conventions from real media texts

7. Question 1(b) - TheoryQuestion 1(b) will ask you to select either your AS or A2 coursework production and analyse it in relation to one of the following media concepts:GenreNarrativeRepresentationAudienceMedia Language

8. Question 1(a) Level 4 Criteria

9. Key CriteriaProgression – how have your skills developed over the course of the A Level?ReflectionSpecific and relevant examplesTerminology

10. Advice from the Examiner‘We are looking for theoretical, reflective and articulate explanations of the relationship between making/creating and various other aspects of their experiences such as digital technology…It is about helping students to reflect on how digital technology, for example, can aid creativity, or how final outcomes are dependent on research and planning…We are looking also for reflection on a progressive “journey” from the start of the course to the day of the exam’ Julian McDougall.

11. Digital TechnologyHow did you use digital technology in your coursework productions?Divide your sheet into three columns under the headings AS, A2, and Progression.Bullet point ideas about your use of digital technology for both your AS and A2 coursework productions.Think about what digital technologies you used, and what they allowed you to do.The following questions may help you come up with ideas.

12. Digital TechnologyHow has digital technology helped you capture your ideas for media production?How did digital technology allow you to be creative?What benefits do digital technologies offer over analogue? Are they any disadvantages?How did digital technology influence your work in post-production, e.g. in the creation of video effects, or editing images?What role might digital technology play in the distribution of your product?

13. Exam Style Question1 (a) “Digital technology turns media consumers into producers.” In your own experience, how has your creativity developed through using digital technology to complete your coursework productions? ProgressionReflectionExamples Terminology

14. Digital Technology QuestionWhat digital technologies did you use for your AS production?What did these technologies allow you to do?How did you use digital technology in your A2 production?How had your use of these technologies developed from AS to A2?Conclusion – what are the benefits of digital technology?

15. Essay PlanCreate an essay plan for the digital technology exam question.Your essay plan should include key points, and specific examples you can use to support those points.