General Information
,Resources:
Revision videos:
● Revision video for Dove advert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBnn92TE-Ho&t=60s
● Revision video for River island advert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgelaRZc8Zc
● Revision video for Shelter advert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QxQOdlQlIw&t=2s
● Revision video for ‘Titanium’:
https://youtu.be/W8aDsaZOVYc?si=wFDmTLuvEpv3H8VC
● Revision video for ‘Heaven’: https://youtu.be/nXT4VwV9SPw?si=w66OUkb3kr8IaDIi
● Revision video for The Big Issue:
https://youtu.be/z4HCQuSIiA0?si=hgPrWhzG8phgzPR_ ,
https://youtu.be/rGnHo35YlfU?si=jk-VSLvynBvgLKi_
Revision fact sheets
‘Heaven’:
https://4123326.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4123326/.OCR/Newsletters/Newslett
er%20images/_Image%20Bank/Subject%20Specific/Media%20and%20Film/AL_MediaStudi
es_Factsheet_Heaven.pdf
‘Titanium’:
https://4123326.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4123326/.OCR/Newsletters/Newslett
er%20images/_Image%20Bank/Subject%20Specific/Media%20and%20Film/AL_MediaStudi
es_Factsheet_Titanium.pdf
Dove and River Island:
https://4123326.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4123326/.OCR/Newsletters/Newslett
er%20images/Media%20and%20Film/AL_Media_Studies_H409_02_Advertising_factsheet.p
df
Revision Notes:
https://studyrocket.co.uk/revision/a-level-media-studies-ocr/media-studies-core/magazines-2
-front-covers-of-the-big-issue
Revision for theories:
https://classroom.google.com/c/NzA5NzM0NzIxMTUx/a/NzY0MzM1NTM1NzI0/details
,Exam papers (OCR):
https://www.savemyexams.com/a-level/media-studies/ocr/past-papers/pa
per-1/
Example paper (OCR):
https://www.ocr.org.uk/images/316674-unit-h409-01-media-messages-sample-assessment-
material.pdf
What will be on the test:
The Guardian newspaper, The Daily Mail newspaper, The Big Issue, Dove set advert
‘Too Many Cooks’, River Island advert “Labels Are For Clothes”, Music video
(‘Titanium’ and ‘Heaven’)
What will be on the mock:
● 4 questions on newspapers
● 2 questions on either music vids, adverts or magazines.
Questions Section A (Newspaper)
● Q1: will ask you to analyse the cover using a NAMED theory (it seems likely that it
will be a representation theory, maybe media language)
● Q2: mention a theory of your choice
● Q3: mention a theory of your choice
● Q4: Pick one of two NAMED theories
● Q5:
● Q6:
Key Terms You Must Know When Asked in An Exam
● Media Language: Media language is how media texts communicate meaning using
codes, conventions, and techniques such as visual elements, sound, text, and
narrative. It refers to the "grammar" of how media, from a film poster to a TV show, is
constructed to send messages and create an effect on the audience. Understanding
media language involves analyzing elements like camera work, editing, lighting,
color, and typography to interpret the intended message.
● IPSO: It can also refer to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the
UK's regulator for newspapers and magazines.
● OFCOM: Ofcom is the Office of Communications, the UK's government-approved
regulator for the communications industries. It is responsible for regulating the TV,
radio, internet, telecom, and postal sectors to protect consumers and ensure fair
competition. Ofcom's role includes setting and enforcing rules for these services to
make them safer and more reliable.
, Newspaper information: politicians sides
● Rishi Sunak is in the conservative party
● Borris Johnson is in the conservative party
● Keir Starmer is in the Labour party
Newspapers: Items in the questions meanings
The Guardian
Ideologies
● The Guardian typically supports social equality and welfare, meaning it often
promotes policies that reduce inequality, such as better public services (e.g. the NHS,
education) and support for lower-income groups.
● The paper also values accountability and transparency in politics. It frequently
investigates and criticises government actions, especially scandals.
● The Guardian promotes liberal democracy, meaning it supports free speech, civil
liberties, and holding those in power accountable. Its audience is typically more
educated and socially liberal, which influences how stories are framed.
● The Guardian follows a left-wing, liberal ideology, supporting social equality and often
criticising Conservative politicians, which can lead to more negative representations
of figures like Boris Johnson.
Representations
● The Guardian is typically represented as a left-leaning, liberal newspaper that
supports progressive values and often critiques Conservative politicians. It is
associated with an audience that is more likely to support the Labour Party and
prioritise issues such as public services, equality and government accountability.
Audience
Age
● Typically younger to middle-aged adults (around 25–55)
● Strong student and graduate readership
● More digitally active than older newspaper audiences
Social Class
● Mainly middle class (ABC1 demographic)
● Includes professionals such as:
- Teachers
- Academics
- Journalists
- Public sector workers
Demographics
● Generally middle-class
● Often well-educated
● Skews slightly younger to middle-aged
● Many readers are professionals (e.g. teachers, students, academics)
,Resources:
Revision videos:
● Revision video for Dove advert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBnn92TE-Ho&t=60s
● Revision video for River island advert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgelaRZc8Zc
● Revision video for Shelter advert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QxQOdlQlIw&t=2s
● Revision video for ‘Titanium’:
https://youtu.be/W8aDsaZOVYc?si=wFDmTLuvEpv3H8VC
● Revision video for ‘Heaven’: https://youtu.be/nXT4VwV9SPw?si=w66OUkb3kr8IaDIi
● Revision video for The Big Issue:
https://youtu.be/z4HCQuSIiA0?si=hgPrWhzG8phgzPR_ ,
https://youtu.be/rGnHo35YlfU?si=jk-VSLvynBvgLKi_
Revision fact sheets
‘Heaven’:
https://4123326.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4123326/.OCR/Newsletters/Newslett
er%20images/_Image%20Bank/Subject%20Specific/Media%20and%20Film/AL_MediaStudi
es_Factsheet_Heaven.pdf
‘Titanium’:
https://4123326.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4123326/.OCR/Newsletters/Newslett
er%20images/_Image%20Bank/Subject%20Specific/Media%20and%20Film/AL_MediaStudi
es_Factsheet_Titanium.pdf
Dove and River Island:
https://4123326.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/4123326/.OCR/Newsletters/Newslett
er%20images/Media%20and%20Film/AL_Media_Studies_H409_02_Advertising_factsheet.p
df
Revision Notes:
https://studyrocket.co.uk/revision/a-level-media-studies-ocr/media-studies-core/magazines-2
-front-covers-of-the-big-issue
Revision for theories:
https://classroom.google.com/c/NzA5NzM0NzIxMTUx/a/NzY0MzM1NTM1NzI0/details
,Exam papers (OCR):
https://www.savemyexams.com/a-level/media-studies/ocr/past-papers/pa
per-1/
Example paper (OCR):
https://www.ocr.org.uk/images/316674-unit-h409-01-media-messages-sample-assessment-
material.pdf
What will be on the test:
The Guardian newspaper, The Daily Mail newspaper, The Big Issue, Dove set advert
‘Too Many Cooks’, River Island advert “Labels Are For Clothes”, Music video
(‘Titanium’ and ‘Heaven’)
What will be on the mock:
● 4 questions on newspapers
● 2 questions on either music vids, adverts or magazines.
Questions Section A (Newspaper)
● Q1: will ask you to analyse the cover using a NAMED theory (it seems likely that it
will be a representation theory, maybe media language)
● Q2: mention a theory of your choice
● Q3: mention a theory of your choice
● Q4: Pick one of two NAMED theories
● Q5:
● Q6:
Key Terms You Must Know When Asked in An Exam
● Media Language: Media language is how media texts communicate meaning using
codes, conventions, and techniques such as visual elements, sound, text, and
narrative. It refers to the "grammar" of how media, from a film poster to a TV show, is
constructed to send messages and create an effect on the audience. Understanding
media language involves analyzing elements like camera work, editing, lighting,
color, and typography to interpret the intended message.
● IPSO: It can also refer to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the
UK's regulator for newspapers and magazines.
● OFCOM: Ofcom is the Office of Communications, the UK's government-approved
regulator for the communications industries. It is responsible for regulating the TV,
radio, internet, telecom, and postal sectors to protect consumers and ensure fair
competition. Ofcom's role includes setting and enforcing rules for these services to
make them safer and more reliable.
, Newspaper information: politicians sides
● Rishi Sunak is in the conservative party
● Borris Johnson is in the conservative party
● Keir Starmer is in the Labour party
Newspapers: Items in the questions meanings
The Guardian
Ideologies
● The Guardian typically supports social equality and welfare, meaning it often
promotes policies that reduce inequality, such as better public services (e.g. the NHS,
education) and support for lower-income groups.
● The paper also values accountability and transparency in politics. It frequently
investigates and criticises government actions, especially scandals.
● The Guardian promotes liberal democracy, meaning it supports free speech, civil
liberties, and holding those in power accountable. Its audience is typically more
educated and socially liberal, which influences how stories are framed.
● The Guardian follows a left-wing, liberal ideology, supporting social equality and often
criticising Conservative politicians, which can lead to more negative representations
of figures like Boris Johnson.
Representations
● The Guardian is typically represented as a left-leaning, liberal newspaper that
supports progressive values and often critiques Conservative politicians. It is
associated with an audience that is more likely to support the Labour Party and
prioritise issues such as public services, equality and government accountability.
Audience
Age
● Typically younger to middle-aged adults (around 25–55)
● Strong student and graduate readership
● More digitally active than older newspaper audiences
Social Class
● Mainly middle class (ABC1 demographic)
● Includes professionals such as:
- Teachers
- Academics
- Journalists
- Public sector workers
Demographics
● Generally middle-class
● Often well-educated
● Skews slightly younger to middle-aged
● Many readers are professionals (e.g. teachers, students, academics)
