Codes and conventions in Media
The codes and conventions in media can be separated into 3 distinct groups - technical (camera techniques
& shots), symbolic (ie clothing, colours) written and audio (music etc). These give the text meaning and
determine the response of the viewer. They can be used as a basis for simple text analysis. These codes and
convention represent different things/objects
Media concept – codes and conventions
What are codes?
Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. Codes can be divided into two categories –
technical and symbolic:
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Technical codes are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text, for
example the camera work in a film.
Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a character's
actions show you how the character is feeling.
Some codes fit both categories – music for example, is both technical and symbolic.
What are conventions?
Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something. There are general conventions in any
medium, such as the use of interviewee quotes in a print article, but conventions are also genre
specific.
How codes and conventions apply in media studies
Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre – it is not enough to discuss a technical
code used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre.
For example, the technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention of
the horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense – an integral part
of any horror movie
codes and
conventions
the familiar and predictable forms and techniques used by the media to communicate
certain ideas or to convey a desired impression. Technical codes include camera angles,
sound, and lighting. Symbolic codes include the language, dress, and actions of characters.
Codes and Conventions
Codes and Conventions: the familiar and predictable forms and techniques used by the media to
convey a desired impression. Codes include the special devices of an individual media, such as
camera angles, lighting, special effects. Conventions are the typical plot elements including
conflicts and resolutions of a particular medium.
Each medium has its own forms and conventions. Newspapers, radio, television, magazines, and
the internet have a different look, a different method of communicating, a different purpose, and
different codes and conventions. Within a specific medium, you may also find distinct codes and
conventions. Television is a perfect example. Television shows may by categorized according to
genre. Some common television genres are: soap operas, talk shows, medical dramas, police
dramas, and sitcoms.
Probe 1.4:
Use the following chart to identify which codes belong to which medium. Place checkmarks
underneath the medium which you think uses that code. Each code may be used in more than
one medium. For example, camera angles are used in television studios, as well as the
photographs in newspaper and magazine ads, but obviously there are no camera angles in radio!
Go to the next activity. When complete, click on Pg fwd in the WebCT toolbar.
Television
Newspaper
Radio
Magazines
Television
Newspaper
Radio
Magazines
Television
Newspaper
Radio
Magazines