2. Barthes (1915 – 1980) was a French
literary theorist, philosopher and critic.
Barthes' ideas explored a range of
fields and he influenced the
development of schools of theory
including
structuralism, semiotics, social
theory, anthropology and post-
structuralism. His theory on Media-
Codes was important to the media in

3. The Hermeneutic Code
The Hermeneutic Code (or
Enigma code) refers to any The Proairetic Code (ACT)
element of the story that is
not fully explained and hence The Proairetic Code (Action code) also
becomes a mystery to the builds tension, referring to any other action
reader. The full truth is often or event that indicates something else is
avoided. The purpose of the going to happen, and which hence gets the
author in this is typically to reader guessing as to what will happen
keep the audience guessing, next.
arresting the enigma, until the
final scenes when all is
revealed and all loose ends
are tied off and closure is
achieved.

4. The Semantic Code
This code refers The Symbolic Code
to connotation within
the story that gives This is very similar to the Semantic Code,
additional meaning but acts at a wider level, organizing
over the basic semantic meanings into broader and
denotative meaning of deeper sets of meaning.
the word. This is typically done in the use of
antithesis, where new meaning arises out
It is by the use of of opposing and conflict ideas.
extended meaning that
can be applied to
words that authors can
paint rich pictures with
relatively limited text
and the way they do
this is a common
indication of their
writing skills.

5. The Cultural Code
This code refers to anything that is founded on
some kind of canonical works that cannot be
challenged and is assumed to be a foundation for
truth.
Typically this involves either science or religion,
although other canons such as magical truths may
be used in fantasy stories. The Gnomic Code is a
cultural code that particularly refers to sayings,
proverbs, clichés and other common meaning-
giving word sets.

6. The Hermeneutic and Proairetic Codes work as a pair to
develop the story's tensions and keep the reader
interested. Barthes described them as:
"...dependent on ... two sequential codes: the revelation
of truth and the coordination of the actions represented:
there is the same constraint in the gradual order of
melody and in the equally gradual order of the narrative
sequence."

7. Barthes‟ theory suggests that by not fully explaining something and creating
a mystery, it keeps the audience guessing about what will happen. By not
explaining certain scenarios, shots and plot lines it leaves the audience to
try and work out what the film is about and thus would be encouraged to go
and see the film.
Best examples of the enigma code being used in trailers are in horror
trailers. This is because of the “monster” would not be revealed as this
would ruin the element of shock, surprise and mystery about it.

8. Horror: Insidious
 One of the codes shown are hermeneutic
codes. This is shown though the ghosts/spirits in
the trailer, there is no indication of what is going to
happen to the characters, which raises many
questions in the audiences mind such as „What
will happen to the characters?‟ and „Will the
demons ever leave the family house?‟. The
storyline creates mystery and enigmas in how the
story will end and it makes the audience use their
imagination and events that will occur next.
 Another enigma that is created in the trailer is the
audience are left on a cliff-hanger of whether or
not the exorcist will be able to succeed in the
exorcism, this will intrigue the audience into going
to the cinema to answer their questions.
 Proairetic codes are also used in the trailer. This
is shown through the exorcist in the trailer; the
audience are left wondering whether the exorcist
will be able to get rid of the demons and treat the
characters in the trailer who have been possessed
by the demons of whether the exorcist too
become possessed by the demons.

9. Thriller: Face off
 Hermeneutic codes are used in
„Face off‟, this code creates
mystery as it makes the audience
wonder why the killer killed the
detectives son; what was his
motive?
 Proairetic codes makes the
audience think about what is going
to happen next. Will the killer ever
be found? It also raises questions
whether the killer will strike again
and kill other members of the
detective family, this will intrigue
the audience members into
watching the full film at the