Language Theories

Question 1

What are the main features of Barthes Semiotic theory?

Answer 1

• Denotation & Connotation
• Text and image
• Media as a myth

Question 2

What is a denotation?

Answer 2

The literal or physical content of media

Question 3

What is a connotation?

Answer 3

What the media product could mean (deeper meaning)

Question 4

What is Text & Image?

Answer 4

The positioning of textual components by each element

Question 5

What is mise en scene?

Answer 5

The significance of props, settings and constuming

Question 6

What is compostion?

Answer 6

How the shot type is used to create meaning

Question 7

What is anchorage?

Answer 7

How elements construct meaning by the use of set texts

Question 8

What are enigma codes?

Answer 8

• They construct moments of mystery to intrigue readers or viewers

• Hook readers/viewers for further reading/viewing to gain answers

Question 9

What are semantic codes?

Answer 9

They refer to an element that produces connotative effects

Question 10

What are examples of semantic codes?

Answer 10

• Lighting
• Mise en scene
• Compostional effects
• Typography

Question 11

What are symbolic codes?

Answer 11

A repeated symbol that conveys a deeper meaning

Question 12

What are cultural codes?

Answer 12

The inclusion of material that generates meaning from outside the product

• Can be historical or scientifical

Question 13

What does it mean by media as a myth?

Answer 13

Media has replaced the functions of traditional myth making

Question 14

What is Naturalisation?

Answer 14

The process of making ideas or viewpoints feel like common sense rather than perspective

Question 15

How are media myths reductive?

Answer 15

They reduce or purify ideas so they turn into easily digestible information

Question 16

Overall what do media myths reinforce?

Answer 16

A social power structure

Question 17

What is the main argument of the Levi Strauss Structuralism theory?

Answer 17

Binary opposites, how they create meaning/narrarive

Question 18

What are binary opposites?

Answer 18

The use of paired elements within a narrative to provide contrasts

Question 19

What are character oppositions?

Answer 19

The construction of characters that are juxtaposed, an example is heroes vs villains

Question 20

What are genre based oppositions?

Answer 20

Paired elements that are usually found in specific genres, they’re an expectation of the genre

Question 21

What are stylistic oppositions?

Answer 21

The use of contrasting design elements that reinforce narrative themes of a text

Question 22

What is structuralism?

Answer 22

Suggests human behaviour is directed by a universal set of rules

Question 23

What is the main point of Todorov’s Narrative theory?

Answer 23

Stories share similar features and these features can help us comprehend the hidden meanings

Question 24

What is Todorov’s ideal narrative?

Answer 24

• Equilibrium
• Disruption
• Recognition
• Repair
• New equilibrium

Question 25

What is the main point of Neale's Genre theory?

Answer 25

Argues that genre driven products (films) create appeal through repetition

Question 26

What are some examples for repetition in genres?

Answer 26

• Levels of references to the real world • Narrative similarities • Mise en scene expectations • Character motives • Audience targeting

Question 27

What does it mean by levels of references to the real world?? (versimilitude)

Answer 27

• The degree in which the product refrences the real world is a big indicator to what genre it is • If there’s limited references, it’s likely the genre is fantastical (fantasy, sci-fi)

Question 28

What does it mean by audience needs?

Answer 28

Their enjoyment from recognising specific genre tropes

Question 29

What does it mean by contextual influences?

Answer 29

Producers adapt genre driven content as result of historical, political or social influences

Question 30

What is genre hybridity?

Answer 30

The deliberate inclusion or intertwining of conventions (tropes) across genres

Question 31

What is Baudrillard's process of similacra?

Answer 31

• Early Modernity • Modernity • Post Modern

Question 32

What are the main points of Early Modernity?

Answer 32

• Starts between the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution • Dominated by the voice of religion • Produces authenticity & a collective set of truths about reality

Question 33

What are the main points of Modernity?

Answer 33

• Between Industrial revolution to the 2 World War • Religious certainties give way to early mass media • Authenticity and collective truths begin to give way

Question 34

What are the main points of Post Modern?

Answer 34

• Mass media dominates culture • Age of “Hyperreality” • Meaning and instructions are temporary

Question 35

What is Hyperreality?

Answer 35

• Can’t separate the real world from the world created by media • Cultural products no longer reference significations religion once provided

Question 36

What is Inertia?

Answer 36

• We’ve become desensitised to things we see in media