This document provides guidance on how to write an effective evaluation for an MS3 media production assignment. It should be 500-750 words and worth 10% of the total marks. The evaluation should demonstrate application of media knowledge and theory when analyzing the production. It should also reference how research informed the production. The evaluation structure suggested is to summarize research in 5 sentences, using each as a topic sentence for a paragraph. Paragraphs should explain how learning was applied to specific elements of the production and refer to facts, figures, and media theory when relevant.

1. Learning Objective:
How do I write an effective MS3
evaluation?

2. Assessment Objective
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding
when analysing media products and
processes and evaluating your own practical
work, to show how meanings and responses
are created.
WORD COUNT: 500-750 words
WORTH: 10 marks (10%)

3. Mark Scheme
• Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
when evaluating the production
(knowledge of media theories/concepts and
knowledge of history of
genre/narrative/representation)
• Reference to the degree to which research
informs production.
• Sound structure and well written.

4. Plan
• Summarise your research into five sentences.
• Each sentence becomes your topic sentence for five
paragraphs.
• In your paragraphs, explain exactly where you have applied
what you have learned (specific shots/use of language etc.)
• Refer to facts and figures, where you can. Also refer to
media theory, if relevant.
• If you have subverted your research – you must explain
WHY, especially if you’ve only subverted it in places (e.g. I
wanted the text to resemble the ____ genre through its use
of iconography, but I didn’t want to follow all of its negative
stereotypes).

5. Exemplar Paragraph:
My research informed me that men dominate the action
genre, with over three quarters of action films featuring a
male lead . This supports notions of hegemonic
(source needed)
masculinity and reinforces a culture where “men act and
women appear” (Berger, 1972). I decided to replicate this
in my film poster by choosing a male action lead and
placing him in the centre of the image, which connotes his
importance. The gun in his hand signifies that he is a man
of action, who takes control, reinforcing this notion of
hegemonic masculinity. The blurb on the DVD sleeve
furthers these ideas. My character’s name – Sam Steel –
connotes something cold, hard and dangerous (steel
signifying a blade). The blurb places Sam at the centre of
the narrative, where he has to take revenge for the death
of his wife.
I found that women were often depicted as victims in
action films. For instance.... Therefore, the only female
characters in my film....