MEST3 Focus of The Questions and Tips

The document provides guidance for A-level Media Studies students on three exam questions. Question 1 focuses on media concepts, Question 2 on media issues and debates, and Question 3 on wider contexts. For Questions 2 and 3, students can refer to their individual case studies, class work, and personal media use. Higher-level answers will include a range of points, opinions justified by evidence, and discussion of different perspectives. Teaching and learning involves teacher-led activities and individual case studies on two preset topics, analyzing concepts, issues, theory, and contexts. Suggested case study topics for each preset theme are also outlined.

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MEST3 Focus of The Questions and Tips

Uploaded by

bob keats

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MEST3 Focus of the Questions and Tips

A-level Media Studies

Updated September 2015

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

SECTION A
The focus of the three questions are:
Media concepts
Students should use the unseen products to answer a question on forms (including media
language, narrative and genre), representations, institutions, audiences or values and ideology.
Media issues and debates
Students should use the unseen products to answer a question on media issues and debates.
Students may refer to other media products to support their answers. The may is intended to
encourage students to move beyond the two unseen exam products.
Wider contexts
Students should use the unseen products to answer a question on wider contexts. Students should
move beyond the products, referring to other media products to support their answer. The should
is intended to tell students they will be expected to move beyond the two unseen products and
include other examples.
For Questions 2 and 3 students can include examples from either of their individual case studies,
class work they have done and from their own media use. Media issues and debates and wider
contexts should attempt to address up to date events, issues and trends in the media. The three
questions will include one based on each of the two pre-set topics.

TIPS FOR ACHIEVING A GOOD MARK

Students should:

use the marks awarded to questions as a guide to how long to spend on each answer.
Question 1 (8 marks), Question 2 (12 marks) and Question 3 (12 marks).

answer the particular question.

make detailed references to the two media products, especially in Question 1 to illustrate
the points made.

Higher level answers will include a range of points, not just repeated explanation of one or two
points.
Higher level answers will include students own opinions explained and justified, especially for
Questions 2 and 3. Students should take a standpoint and back it up with wider contexts and
examples from other media products. Also if it is relevant to the question higher level answers will
discuss the different sides of the argument and show a sense of debate.

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SECTION B
Teaching and learning will be made up of:

teacher led classroom activities, including an overview of media concepts, media issues
and debates, theory and wider contexts and maybe a mini class case study.

students own individual case study for each preset topic on a particular area of the topic
that will include secondary research and analysis of media products. This could be
presented as an essay, portfolio of research, illustrated talk or presentation to class or
group.

Centres can:
allow their students the freedom to complete whatever case study they want to
or
narrow down the area of choice to a particular area and allow students to choose within
that.
Whichever approach is decided each student should complete an individual case study with
different products.

For example:
Identities and the media
Teacher overview and mini class case study transgender individuals; exploring how identities
are constructed, moulded and responded to by audiences, with a focus on well-known examples
such as Caitlyn Jenner and explored through concepts, media theory, wider contexts and debates
Individual case study - each student chooses a different identity and explores how
individuals/groups are able to portray themselves, alongside how those identities are shaped by
pre-existing media products, and completes an individual case study with research and detailed
analysis including - concepts, media issues and debates, relevant theory, wider contexts
The impact of new/digital media
Teacher overview and mini class case study - the impact of new and digital media on a particular
industry e.g. TV, music, film, including - concepts, media issues and debates, relevant theory,
wider contexts
Individual case study - each student chooses a different institution/s from that industry and
completes an individual case study with research and detailed analysis including - concepts, media
issues and debates, relevant theory, wider contexts

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What should my students study for each topic?

Page 14 and 15 in the specification suggest areas students might study. The following are possible
essay topics:

Identities and the media how and why individuals or social groups are able to reveal and
portray their own identities, with reference to a range of media and the relevant wider contexts and
media issues, debates and theories

the influence of mainstream media

audience uses and responses
the impact of social media
power and resistance
dominant and marginalised identities
identity politics
ideology, the ideas and values

The impact of new/digital media what is the impact of new and digital media, with the relevant
wider contexts and media issues, debates and theories

media institutions and the changing role of the producer

the changing role of the audience/consumer
user generated content,
media and democracy
the effect of globalisation
the attempts of traditional media to survive/compete
cross cultural factors
values and ideology

It would be useful for students to use the grids to summarise the work they have done on each
possible essay topic to help their revision and to make sure they are able to answer all the
questions that might be asked in Section B.

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