LFTVD - Paper 2, Section B

LFTVD – Section B, Paper 2: ‘Evolving Media’

Notes and Details

• 2 questions:
• Question 3 is worth 30 marks and will take you about 45 minutes to answer.
• Question 4 is worth 10 marks and will take you about 15 minutes to answer.

Assessment Objectives

• AO1 - knowledge and understanding of:
• the framework (theories)
• the influence of media contexts.
• AO2 - apply the theoretical framework to:
• analyse products (find meaning by breaking down the set texts)
• evaluate theories (assess how helpful the theories are to our understanding of the dramas)
• make judgments and reach conclusions.

Question 3

• Question 3 will always be the synoptic question on the two papers.
• This form of words will be indicated on synoptic questions.
• Students who are synoptic (e.g. respond on more than just one area of study in their answer, e.g. representation, contexts, audiences) can access the full mark scheme.
• A strong answer focusing only on representation would be capped halfway up the top level.
• This question is always comparative and should focus on both long form dramas studied.
• This question doesn’t specifically ask for theories (analysis or knowledge of). However, as shown in the indicative content in the mark scheme students can bring relevant theory to their answers. This will be credited as long as it is a correct, relevant and logical use in relation to the set question.
• This question can draw on any area of the theoretical framework as TV is an in-depth study – though the analysis part of the question is always likely to be based on media language or representation.
• Cultural contexts, historical contexts, political contexts, economic contexts, social contexts

Question 4

• This question will always focus on the ‘evaluation’ of theory in relation to Long Form Television Drama (AO2.2).
• Note, this is not an analysis question. 
• Students should evaluate the relevance of the stated theory in relation to the question using exemplification from studied Long Form Television Drama where necessary.
• Remember 10 marks equates to around 15 minutes writing time

Different Representations

Question 3

Why do long form television dramas from different countries offer different representations? [30 Marks]

In your answer you must:

• consider the contexts in which long form television dramas are produced and consumed
• explain how media contexts may have influenced representations in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied
• make judgements and reach conclusions about the reasons for the differences in representation between the two episodes.

Plan:

• Spend 45 minutes writing
• Aim to write about 5 paragraphs – it could look like this: 
• Intro – briefly outline what each drama is about with context
• Compare and contrast representations in both dramas in relation to first theorist. 
• Compare and contrast representations in both dramas in relation to a second theorist
• Compare and contrast representations in both dramas in relation to a third theorist
• Conclusion – make a final judgement from your analysis to conclusively answer the question.

Question 4

Evaluate the relevance of Todorov’s theory of narratology to long form television drama. [10 Marks]

Plan:

• Spend 15 minutes writing.
• Aim for 4 paragraphs:
• Introduction: what is the theory? 
• Pros: what are benefits of Todorov’s theory of narratology? How is it relevant?
• Cons: what are the drawbacks of Todorov’s theory? How is it not relevant?
• Conclusion: use your judgements to make a final conclusion