constructing messages Flashcards
selection
producers chose to include certain elements in a representation communicating meanings and messages
construction
the process by which media messages are created and shaped by the various factors that influence them
anchorage
words that accompany an image which gives meaning associated with the image. a term used by barthes.
presence
theoretical concept describing the extent to which the media represents the world
absence
symbolic annihilation which describes the absence of representation, or underrepresentation of a group of people in the media
Encoding and decoding examples
For example, absence was used in the image in the guardian newspaper about a woman jumping from her burning flat in the London riots and cropped out the rioters to convey the message of the damage that had been caused as a result of their actions. Whereas in the sunday times newspaper, showed an image also from the London riots and showed things such as fire and a rioter walking by in tracksuits and a mask suggesting how the typical rioter looked and the damage they had caused. -Seletion, absence, presence
Open and closed texts (barthes and eco)
Bothe barthes and eco identified texts as open and closed. No texts are entirely open or closed. Barthes said that texts are a tangle of threads that need to be unravelled. Different meanings appear as they are unravelled. However some texts need to restrict their meaning (polysemy), such as instructions, and directions.
Open texts
Many different meanings as possible, encourages polysemy. Decoder takes no active role. Usually aesthetic or artistic. e.g poem, abstract art, experimental film.
Closed text
A single meaning is intended, restricting polysemy. Decoder takes passive role. Usually informational. e.g textbook, recipe, party political broadcasts TV commercial, action film.
