AS Media (TV DRAMA)
Textual Analysis & Representation
Key Terminology:
Represents: Symbolizes meaning. (The masculine man represents male dominance).
Connote: Attached meaning. (The expensive looking coat connotes wealth).
Portrays: To play a character in the arts. (The man portrays his role in a positive way).
Subverts: To change, ruin, or overcome something.
Enigma: An inexplicable occurrence or situation, that must be concluded (found out).
Equilibrium: A state of normality.
Disequilibrium: Something that upsets the ‘Norm’ .
Narrative: The Storyline in which a film or TV Show follows. (Linear Narrative).
Verisimilitude: (or truth likeness) is the quality of realism in the arts. (The extract had
‘plenty’ of versimilitude - The extract ‘lacked’ versimilitude).
Never use the term ‘SHOWS’ (The Messy room SHOWS the room belongs to a teenager).
Other terminology: Imply, Suggest, Indicate, Signify.
KEY AREAS: REPRESENTATION
DISCRIMINATION
•The action that denies social participation or human rights to categories of people.
•Treatment of an individual or group based on their membership in a group or social category.
•It involves the group's initial reaction or interaction, influencing the individual's actual behaviour
towards the group or the group leader, restricting members of one group from opportunities or
privileges that are available to another group.
CONSIDER: INTEGRATION & SEGREGATION
PREJUDICE
•The prejudgment, or forming an opinion before becoming aware of the relevant facts.
•The word is often used to refer to preconceived, usually unfavourable, judgments toward people or a
person because of gender, political opinion, social class, age, disability, religion, sexuality, race/ethnicity,
language, nationality, or other personal characteristics.
EQUALITY
•The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.
•Refers to fairness – justness – equitability – impartiality - equal rights - equal opportunities -nondiscrimination – justice – freedom.
Gender:
Male
Stereotypes:
Heroic – Dirty - Thrill Seekers – Higher Status than Females – Stubborn –
Leaders - Physically strong – Athletic – Butch – Professional – Lazy – Ruthless
Brave – Bread Winners – Confident – Aggressive – Ambitious – Competitive.
Terminology:
Masculinity. Masculine. Machismo (Macho). Manhood
Female
Stereotypes:
Domesticated – Physically weak – Damsel in Distress – Dedicated –
Committed – Sensitive – Emotional – Ditzy – Dependant – Supportive –
Caring – Loving – Cooperative – Gold Diggers – Gossipers – Kind – Gentle.
Terminology:
Femininity. Feminine. Womanhood. Feminine-Side.
Male
Female
Age:
Stereotypes:
Emotional – Selfish – Arrogant – Lazy – Unenthusiastic – Materialistic –
Dependant – Judgemental – Unemployed – Money Orientated –
Sexually Active – Drink/Drugs – Experimental – Anti Educational – Vain.
Terminology:
Adolescence. Juvenile. Youth.
Stereotypes:
Independent – Intellectual – Mature – Work Orientated – Bossy – Un
Sympathetic – Authority – Stern – Strong Minded – Patient –
Supportive Role – Bread Winners – Sensible – Money Conscious.
Terminology:
Adulthood. Coming of Age. Middle Aged.
Stereotypes:
Home Ridden – Wise – Boring – Vulnerable – Dependant – Intelligent –
Weak – Kind – Gossipers – Clumsy – Physically Weak – Forgetful –
Caring – Supportive – Easily Confused – Smelly – Un Hygienic – Quiet.
Terminology:
Senior Citizens. Golden Age. Twilight Years. Pensioners.
Teenagers
Adults
Elderly
Ethnicity:
Stereotypes:
Posh – Wealthy – Racist – Employed – Ignorant – Intelligent – No Rhythm – Geeky –
Drinking Culture – Arrogant.
Terminology: Caucasian. Anglo Saxon. British Empire.
White
Stereotypes:
Loud – Vibrant Colours – Gangs – Crime – Athletic – Rhythm – Vain – Unemployed –
Benefits – Religious – Unruly.
Terminology: Ethnic Minority. Indigenous. African Descent. Caribbean Descent.
Black
Stereotypes:
Technology – Wise – Intelligent – Short – Good at Maths/Science – Karaoke –
Cleanliness – Hard Working – High Population/Big Families – Food – Manufacturers.
Terminology: Oriental. Eastern.
East Asian
Stereotypes:
Own Business – Corner Shops – Own Communities – Terrorism – Religious –
Unstable – Unruly – Doctors – Poverty – Food – Traditional.
Terminology: Asiatic. Indian, Pakistani etc.
South Asian
Sexuality:
Heterosexual
Stereotypes:
Man: Dominant, Lads, Players, Sporty, Un-Emotional, Groomed.
Women: Emotional, Fashion, Sexy, Flirty, Power Over Men.
Terminology: Straight. Metro-sexual. Normal. Homophobic.
Straight
Homosexual/Bi-Sexual
Stereotypes:
Bright Clothing. Camp. Extravagant. Fashion orientated. Vain.
Enjoy Female Company. Loud. Theatrical. Overtly Proud.
Flamboyant. Sexual innuendos.
Terminology: Feminine. Effeminate. Butch. Queer. Lesbian. Gay.
Gay
Class & Status:
Class (High)
Stereotypes:
Top of social ladder. Rich. Arrogant. Outlandish. Snobby. Sophisticated.
Educated. Government & Politics. Career Minded. Positions of Authority.
Terminology: Nobility. Well off. Toffs. Posh. Regal. Superiority.
High Class
Class (Low)
Stereotypes:
Bottom of social ladder. Poor. Left wing. Local Communities. Manual labour.
Unemployed. Benefits. Close Family. State Educated.
Terminology: Commoners. Paupers. Poverty. Inferiority.
Low Class
Status (Authority)
Stereotypes:
Arrogance. Caucasian. Male. Educated. Money. Ruthless. Power. Boss.
Terminology:
Aristocracy. Power Hungry. Status Symbols. Rank
Hierarchy
Physical Ability
/Disability:
Physical Ability
Stereotypes:
Normal. Healthy Lifestyle. Physically Fit. Peak Performance. Well Being.
Nutrition. Sporty. Agility. Coordination. Active. Balanced Diet.
Terminology:
Aptitude. Physical. Skill.
Physical Disability
Stereotypes:
Pitiable. Pathetic. Innocent. Victims. Freak Shows. Burden. Sympathy.
Butt of Jokes. Aggressive. Outcast. Incapable of Love. Dependant
Terminology:
Equality. Discrimination. Equal Opportunities. Disabilism. Prejudice.
Ability
Disabled
Regional Identity:
Stereotypes:
Scummy – Unemployed – Benefits – Poor – Lower Class – Rude – Common –
Regional Accents – Illiterate – Poverty – Un Educated – Football Fans – Rough
Terminology: Up North. Scouse. Geordie. Mancunian. Yorkshire.
Northern
Stereotypes:
Caucasian – Posh – Upper Class – Arrogant – Large Houses – Materialistic – Well
Spoken – Private Education – Snobby – Big Families – High Paid Jobs.
Terminology: Down South. Southerners.
Southern
Stereotypes:
Multicultural – Busy – Rude People – Dangerous – Geezers – Accents – Urban
Culture – Gangs – Parties – Tourists – Dirty – Expensive.
Terminology: Londoners. Cockneys. Urban. Inner City. Cosmopolitan. Estuary.
London
Stereotypes:
Pubs – Villages – Local Communities – Inbred – Cider/Ale – Behind the Times –
Simple – Farms – Traditional – Quite Life – Anti City Goers – Dialects.
Terminology: Anglo-Cornish. Rural. West Country.
SE & East