This document provides guidance on how to structure notes and write effective paragraphs for a media analysis essay. It recommends taking notes using a PEAL (Point, Evidence, Analysis, Link) structure for each key term or section of the video clip. PEAL paragraphs should make a point, provide evidence to support it, analyze the evidence, and link it back to representations and stereotypes. The document also emphasizes practicing media terminology, using comparison and analytical language, and keeping introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions short given the time constraints of the exam.

1. L/O: to understand
a) How to set up notes effectively
b) How to write effective paragraphs

3.  How long is clip?
 How many times are you shown?
 When and how long are the breaks?
 Why do you take notes from the clip?
 How do you think you structure the notes?

4.  You are shown the clip 4 times
 Before the clip, 2 minutes to read questions
 1 no notes
 2 25% notes, 75% watching (2 min break)
 3 50% notes, 50% watching (2 min break)
 4 75% notes, 25% watching

5. Option 1
Structure of clip (relies on remembering the key terms but
organising essay later)
Beginning =
Middle =
End =
Option 2
Each key term (relies on trying to get a variety of each point
for technical area but organising essay will be up to you
later)
Lighting =
Colour =
Setting =

6. CAM SAMC MES E S
Beginning
Or Scene 1
Middle
Or Scene 2
End
Or Scene 3

7. CAM SAMC MES E S
POINT
EVIDENCE
LINK TO
REPRESENTATI
ON/STEREOTY
PES
-reinforce or
challenge?

8. MES CAMERA
Editing Sound

9.  You have to know the terms WELL
 Practice, practice, practice
 Make the most of your notes
 Only 30 minutes to write a full essay

11.  What are PEAL paragraphs?
 Why are they important?
 What happens if you don’t use them?

12.  Using PEAL paragraphs is essential in
achieving above a D.
 If you don’t use PEAL structure, you will be
writing randomly. (level 1 and maybe level 2)
 Using PEAL gives you focus.
 Remember you have already started your
point, evidence in note taking!

13. Point
 Make a focused point. This is a statement
which is focused to the representations and
stereotypes.
 Ex. The main character ‘Mr Black’ is
represented as a dominating authority figure.
(age)

14. Evidence
 1. Provide evidence (evidence from an image
(example from image) or text (quotation from
text) which supports your point, is relevant
and is the best example you can find.
2. (Explanation - Briefly explain your
evidence)

15. Analysis
 Analyse (explain the point and evidence) the work in more detail using
analytical verbs.
Remember to analyse something means to examine it, observe it,
scrutinize it, study it and evaluate it.
 Explain the representation/stereotype by explaining the 4 technical
areas (He is represented as dominating by….) Strongest answers
connect all 4 technical areas and how to work together to make
stereotyped representations.
ANALYTICAL VERBS (to use for analysis)
 Connotes (connoting, connotation)
 Indicates (indicating, indicative)
 Shows (showing)
 Suggests (suggesting, suggestive)
 Implies (implying, implication)
 Highlights (highlighting)
 Emphasises (emphasising)
 Underlines (underlining)
 Reinforces (reinforcing, reinforcement)

16. Link
 Write and describe how it links back to the
representation and stereotype.
 Re-inforced or challenged stereotype?
 Ex. Teachers are often older and represented
as authority figures and this is reinforced in
the extract.

17. To link to the type of representation you can think
about stereotypes; how are people stereotyped?
 What is/are the stereotypes?
 Is it a positive or negative stereotype?
 Does is reinforce, develop or challenge
stereotypes?
 Why does it reinforce, develop or challenge
stereotypes?
 Extension: Why is this relevant or important to
our society?

18. Extension:
 Effect: What is the effect on the audience?

19.  PEAL paragraphs aren’t always simple
 Sometimes you can have PEAL paragraphs
with multiple points
 Sometimes they can be comparative and in
the analysis you can COMPARE (similarities &
differences)

20.  B or above answers will have an element of comparison.
 You could compare technical areas, stereotypes or even
key terms (ex. Characters costumes)
 Comparing similarities
 Comparing differences
CONNECTIVES to use for comparing
 If you are going to COMPARE, then use appropriate
connectives (comparing connectives):
◦ Similarities: Equally, similarly, likewise, like, as with, in the
same way,
◦ Differences: Whereas, alternatively, instead of, otherwise,
however, on the other hand

21.  You must always start a response/essay with
an introduction
 Media exam = MUST BE SHORT!!!!!!!!!!! (time)
In the sequence from _________, the technical
features are combined to construct the
representation of _________.

22.  Body paragraphs are the middle of an essay
SIMPLE (C/D) below CHALLENGING (B above)
List off the points randomly
Setting
Lighting
Costume
Relate to structure of clip, and
potentially compare
Beginning of clip
Middle of clip
End of clip

23.  When you write paragraphs, remember simple
connectives.
 Firstly, secondly, next, meanwhile, finally
These help to keep your writing (sentences)
clear and well structured.

24.  A response/essay should always have a short
conclude to conclude/summarize/wrap up
the essay
 MUST BE SHORT!
As we have seen, the representation of
_________ is constructed by the technical codes
in the sequence.

25. 1. Introduction – briefly sum up the key ideas about
the representation in the extract.
2. Mise-en-scene.
3. Editing.
4. Camera shot, angle, movement, position.
5. Sound.
6. Conclusion – briefly sum up whether
representations have challenged or conformed to
expected ideas or stereotypes.