Teen dramas typically focus on characters who feel like outsiders and deal with real life issues like relationships with family, friends, and teachers. They emotionally impact audiences by portraying realistic storylines and settings that people can relate to. Common themes explored are darker topics applicable to teenagers, such as drug and alcohol abuse, bullying, coming of age, and struggling with identity. The music in teen dramas tends to be slow, instrumental pieces or songs with lyrics that reflect characters' emotions.

1. Codes and conventions of
Teen Dramas
By Kamile Jakutonyte

2. PLOT
• Teen dramas usually deal with a character who
does not feel like he/she belongs in society.
• They tend to focus on real life situations
• They almost always feature some sort of
relationship issues such as with family, friends or
teachers.

3. EFFECT ON AUDIENCE
• Due to them having realistic story lines and
settings, it usually tends to emotionally effect
the audience as they may be able to relate to it
• The characters are also very accessible to the
audience for this purpose (people can imagine
themselves in the person shoes)

4. THEMES EXPLORED
• Teen dramas tend to go for darker themes, but ones
which are still applicaple to teenagers such as:
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Bullying
• Growing up
• Struggling with identity (e.g. sexuality, gender,
religion)

5. MUSIC
• The type of music that tends to be used in
teen dramas consists of either instrumental
music that is quite slow, or music with lyrics
that is also sow and the lyrics reflect the
characters emotions.