A2 Media Studies Unit G325: Theoretical Evaluation

Learning Objectives

• Do I understand the success criteria for Unit

G325 Question 1A?

• How will I apply my knowledge of AS and A2

to my exam response?

• Literacy: Can I communicate my

understanding using media terminology, PEEL,

and proper SPaG?

A2 Media Studies - Exam

• 2 Hours

• 3 Questions

• 100 marks

• 1A: 25 – Theoretical Evaluation of Production Work

• 1B: 25 – Theoretical Evaluation of Concept

• 2: 50 – Contemporary Media Issues

What is a skill?

• The ability to do something well; expertise.

• A developed talent or ability.

Question 1A

Question 1A

• Describe and evaluate your skills development

over the course of your production work (AS &

A2) – this can include the preliminary tasks,

coursework, and any other work created in

the past year.

What is it about?

• What did you do?

• How did you do it?

• How did your skills develop?

• Frequently supported with examples

• Related to the areas(s) in the question

What is it about?

It’s easy… talk about yourself.

Your generation loves themselves ;)

Your skills

• List 3 media skills that you have:

1. _______

2. _______

3. _______

Your skills

• Can you make them more specific (with examples)?

• What level of skill?

• Can you qualify your skill; what can you do that proves and demonstrates this skill?

G325: Theoretical Evaluation Section A – Question 1A

• What can the question be on? 1 or 2 of the

following…

• Digital technology

• Creativity

• Research and Planning

• Post-production

• Using conventions of real media productions

G325: Theoretical Evaluation Section A – Question 1A

• Digital technology – hardware, software, online tools

• Creativity – making stuff

• Research and Planning – real media, logistics,

audiences, instituions

• Post-production – photo editing, video editing,

changing ‘raw’ material

• Using conventions of real media productions – actual

examples and how they influenced your work

Generate Ideas

• In small groups, each will focus on one of the five

possible areas for Q1A.

• Use Padlet to generate ideas on…

• What skills apply to this area

• What you did and used

• What’s changed (developed) from AS to A2?

• Email your finished Padlet wall link

Past Questions Research & Planning and Creativity

Describe how you developed research and planning skills for media production and evaluate how these skills contributed to creative decision making.

Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how these skills developed over time.

Past Questions Research & Planning

Describe the ways in which your production work was informed by research into real media texts and how your ability to use such research for production over time.

Past Questions Digital Technology and Conventions of Real Media

Describe how you developed your skills in the use of digital technology for media production and evaluate how these skills contributed to your creative decision making.

Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how these skills developed over time.

Past Questions Creativity and Conventions of Real Media

Explain how far your understanding of the conventions of existing media influenced the way you created your own media products. Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how this understanding developed over time.

Past Questions Creativity and Conventions of Real Media

Describe how your analysis of the conventions of real media texts informed your own creative media practice. Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how these skills developed over time.

Learning Check

• Question 1A requires you to describe and

evaluate your ______ ___________.

Learning Check

• Question 1A requires you to describe and

evaluate your skills development.

Evaluative Essay

How to write an evaluation essay for

Question 1A

Mark Scheme

Level 4 Explanation/analysis/argument (9-10 marks)

• There is a clear sense of progression established by the answer, and a range of articulate reflections on the production process are offered.

Use of examples (9-10 marks)

• Candidates offer a broad range of specific, relevant and clear examples

Use of terminology (5 marks)

• The use of media terminology applied throughout is excellent.

• Complex issues have been expressed clearly and fluently using a style of writing appropriate to the complex subject matter.

• Sentences and paragraphs, consistently relevant, have been well structured, using appropriate terminology.

• There may be few, if any, errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Do you demonstrate…

• Clear point of view which is established at the beginning of the essay.

• Relevant evidence to support their ideas and opinions.

• A balanced argument considering both sides of the question.

• Addresses the question clearly and continually refers back to it.

• Impartial and reasonable tone.

• Use of key media terminology.

• Clearly evaluates progress in practical work from AS to A2.

• Structures answer well, using sentences and PEEL paragraphs

Success Evaluation Essays

• Will contain…

• A sufficiently described topic.

• A judgment.

• A persuasive argument.

• An impartial and reasonable tone.

• An obvious pattern of organization.

A Sufficiently Described Topic

Okay, my essay is about digital technology. I used it. I was great at it. Essay done now.

A Sufficiently Described Topic

Okay, my essay is about digital technology. I used it. I was great at it. Essay done now.

A Sufficiently Described Topic

- Provide a thorough overview of your topic

- Enough info to allow your audience to accept your point of view

A Judgment

Erm, I’m not really sure if research and planning did anything for me. Let me see… um…

A Judgment

Erm, I’m not really sure if research and planning did anything for me. Let me see… um…

A Judgment

- A clear standpoint on the topic

- Acts as a thesis statement - Your evaluation essay

should aim to prove this standpoint

- ‘Research and planning was imperative in our success of both AS and A2 production work…’

Persuasive Argument

I was creative because I’m naturally creative.

Persuasive Argument

I was creative because I’m naturally creative.

Persuasive Argument

- Clear and detailed argument, utilizing relevant evidence; comparative evidence

- I.E. “ We utilized camerawork and editing that would be considered unique to the genre as (these researched texts) clearly enforce the conventions of this genre and format…”

Impartial and Reasonable Tone

Basically, I am the best at using digital technology like Final Cut Pro because no one else is good. Sayyyy nuthin’

Impartial and Reasonable Tone

Basically, I am the best at using digital technology like Final Cut Pro because no one else is good. Sayyyy nuthin’

Impartial and Reasonable Tone

- Focus on providing the facts and clear reasons of how and why…

- “During my AS production work, I had difficulties presenting research effectively as using WordPress was a relatively new experience. Now, in A2…”

Obvious Pattern of Organisation

In A2 we used a blog. Using research and planning is all good. In AS I think we used a camera.

Obvious Pattern of Organisation

In A2 we used a blog. Using research and planning is all good. In AS I think we used a camera.

Obvious Pattern of Organisation

- A clear structure and direction

- Intro Thesis Arguments to support with evidence Conclusion

- Focus on demonstrating progression of skills from AS to A2

Example Response

• First, highlight all the key terms in one colour

• Highlight use of examples in another

• Use the Peer Assessment sheet and mark

scheme to assess the example response…

Practice Question

Practice Question

• 25 Minutes

• Typed, no less than 1 page!

• 12 pt. font, no more than 1.15 spacing.

• Individual

• Exam practice

• Choose one of the following

• DUE WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2014

Practice Questions Research & Planning

Describe the ways in which your production work was informed by research into real media texts and how your ability to use such research for production over time.

Practice Questions Digital Technology and Creativity

Describe how you developed your skills in the use of digital technology for media production and evaluate how these skills contributed to your creative decision making.

Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how these skills developed over time.

Practice Questions Creativity and Conventions of Real Media

Explain how far your understanding of the conventions of existing media influenced the way you created your own media products. Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how this understanding developed over time.