Demonstrate understanding of a media genre. (90279)
Level: 2
Credits: 3
External
Standard Description:
This achievement standard requires an understanding of a media genre.The examination will take the form of a
single essay and candidates will be required to respond to ONE of four options. Questions will require candidates
to support their answers with specific evidence from at least TWO media texts.
Explanatory Notes
1
Media genre means a group of media texts categorised through their commonly shared features.
Examples of genres include but are not limited to:
 teenage magazines (print)
 western movies (film)
 documentaries (film/television)
 soaps (television)
 breakfast shows (radio)
 social networking websites (internet), etc.
2
Demonstrating understanding of a media genre includes consideration of common features (conventions)
such as the particular use of stylistic, technical, symbolic or narrative features which comprise the
conventions of a genre. Genres may include but are not limited to:
 print news stories: short headlines, active voice, present tense, 5 Ws and H opening sentence, inverted
pyramid structure etc
 horror films: female victims, monstrous villains, religious iconography, isolated settings, framing etc
 breakfast radio: 2–3 announcers, banter, jokes, give-aways, regular news updates, fast pace etc.
3
Demonstrate understanding means to provide a description of the characteristics of a specific media genre.
This includes:
 commonly shared features of the genre
 changes in the genre – eg development of sub-genre, changes to use of features
 audience expectations and response to the genre
 commercial considerations of the genre.
4
Demonstrate in-depth understanding means to provide a detailed description of the characteristics of a
specific media genre. This includes:
 how and/or why the features are used
 reasons for changes in the genre
 reasons for audience expectations and response to the genre
 reasons why commercial considerations are important to the genre.
5
Demonstrate critical understanding means provide a detailed examination of the characteristics of a specific
media genre. This includes:
 implications of the use of features in the genre
 implications of the changes in the genre
 implications of audience expectations and response to the genre
 implications of commercial considerations for the genre.
6
Implications are likely consequences and/or conclusions that can be drawn from evidence.
Discussion should include:
• supporting evidence from at least TWO media texts and / or other source(s)
• possible implication(s) and / or effect(s) for the genre.
Achievement Criteria:
Achievement
The candidate:
 names an appropriate media
genre
 responds to ONE of the four
options (see below)
 demonstrates an understanding
of a media genre, which means:
- describing a chosen
characteristic of a media genre
- using supporting evidence
from at least TWO media texts
and / or other sources
- a discussion in terms of the
genre rather than specific
text(s).
Achievement
with Merit
Achievement
with Excellence
The candidate:
 demonstrates an in-depth
understanding of a media genre,
which means:
The candidate:
 demonstrates critical
understanding of a media genre,
which means:
- providing a detailed
description of the characteristic
of a media genre
- giving reasons how and / or why
the chosen characteristic
defines the genre
- using supporting evidence
from at least TWO media texts
and / or other sources
- a discussion in terms of the
genre rather than specific
text(s).
Oversimplification or irrelevance, or
generalisation with evidence may
occur.
Vague reference to genre may
occur.
Option A:
The description includes discussion
of:
 at least ONE significant feature /
convention
The explanation includes
discussion of:
 at least ONE significant feature /
convention
 how the feature(s) / convention(s)
are important for the genre.
[C]
 how the feature(s) / convention(s)
are important for the genre.
[D]
Option B:
The description includes discussion
of:
 at least ONE audience
expectation / response
The explanation includes
discussion of:
 at least ONE audience
expectation / response
 how the expectation(s) /
response(s) are important for the
genre.
[C]
Option C:
The description includes discussion
of:
 ONE change in the genre
 how the expectation(s) /
response(s) are important for the
genre.
[D]
 how the change is important for
the genre.
[C]
Option D:
The description includes discussion
of:
 at least ONE commercial
consideration
 how the change is important for
the genre.
[D]
 how commercial consideration(s)
are important for the genre.
[C]
 how commercial consideration(s)
are important for the genre.
[D]
Partial answers
Eg: Option B
An audience expects a punchline /
Eg: Option A
Music is very much a focus for teen
The explanation includes
discussion of:
 ONE change in the genre
The explanation includes
discussion of:
 at least ONE commercial
consideration
- providing a detailed
examination or discussion of
an aspect of a media genre,
including:
- implication(s),
ramification(s) and effect(s)
- valid observation(s)
- being specific to the genre.
- using supporting evidence
from at least TWO media texts
and / or other sources
- a discussion in terms of the
genre rather than specific
text(s).
The analysis includes discussion of:
 at least ONE significant feature /
convention
 how the feature(s) / convention(s)
are important for the genre.
[Y]
The analysis includes discussion of:
 at least ONE audience
expectation / response
 how the expectation(s) /
response(s) are important for the
genre.
[Y]
The analysis includes discussion of:
 ONE change in the genre
 how the change is important for
the genre.
[Y]
The analysis includes discussion of:
 at least ONE commercial
consideration
 how commercial consideration(s)
are important for the genre.
[Y]
Eg: Option D
Commercial considerations are a
tag ending in sitcoms. The
convention of a tag ending is used
widely in the television sitcom genre.
It is used to develop a story. In
Friends the tag ending was when all
the characters were dubbed in
Spanish. This on its own is not a
funny way to end the show but it
links back to earlier in the episode
when Ross has a monkey that
changes the language on the
television to Spanish. It is important
in this genre to have a tag ending as
it links the story and the audience
likes this feature of the genre.
films. In coming of age films, genre
music is a significant way for the
director to reinforce the personality
of the character or to highlight the
struggles and changes a teenager
makes in the film.
The coming of age genre requires a
character to transform and so music
reflects this. In Ten Things I Hate
About You, Patrick sings "Can't take
my eyes off of you" to Kat in front of
everyone, asking her forgiveness.
Later in the film, the song “I want
you to want me” plays as the two
struggle in their relationship. Music
is an essential tool in narrating their
evolving relationship and the lyrics
directly link to Patrick’s
transformation in this coming of age
film. These love songs are at the
heart of this film; they echo what is
happening in the lives of the lead
teens in the film as they struggle
with their lives.
real concern in any genre because
with digital advancements
audiences are not going to the
cinema to view big budget genre
crowd pleasers as they used to and
can now access these movies at
home for free. Producers of genre
films have had to think of ways to
continue to attract audiences and
therefore profits …
There are many implications of this
change for the horror genre (a
popular genre for teenagers who are
attending the cinema less and using
other forms of media more).
Producers of horror films are moving
toward multiplatform products,
linking video games and
encouraging interactivity with their
products over the internet. The
development of 3D technology has
possibilities for this very visual genre
with the ability to create an even
more scary experience for the
viewer …
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with Excellence
C
D
Y
Codes:
The following Media Studies-specific marking conventions may also have been used when marking this paper:
C
=
Characteristic with supporting textual evidence (T)
D
=
Characteristic in detail with supporting textual evidence (T)
Y
=
Implication (So What) with supporting textual evidence (T)
T
=
Textual evidence.
2010 EXAM PAPER
Choose ONE media genre that you have studied.
In an essay, demonstrate understanding of this media genre by responding to one of the following options:
EITHER: OPTION A
Discuss how and why significant features / conventions are important for your chosen media genre.
OR:
OPTION B
Discuss how and why audience expectation(s) / response(s) are important for your chosen media genre.
OR:
OPTION C
Discuss how and why ONE change is important for your chosen media genre.
OR:
OPTION D
Discuss how and why commercial considerations are important for your chosen media genre.
Use the planning sheet to plan your discussion.
Your discussion should include:
• supporting evidence from at least TWO media texts and / or other source(s)
• possible implication(s) and / or effect(s) for the genre.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Planning Sheet:
Option: ____________________
Media genre: ________________________________________________
Use the boxes below to plan your written response.
Note: Responses made in this space may be used as evidence for assessment.
Define your genre:
Choose ONE aspect of your genre: (circle)
Significant features /
Audience expectation(s) / response(s)
ONE change
conventions
How and why this aspect is important for your chosen genre:
Supporting evidence from text (1) / source(s):
Implication(s) for your genre:
Commercial considerations
Supporting evidence from text (2) / source(s):