media language theorists

Question 1

barthes’ semiotic theory

Answer 1

there are five common elements in all narratives which convey some type of meaning

• proairetic (action) = anything in a text that signifies an action that will happen in the story, which drive the progression of the narrative forwards (eg. gun signifies a shooting about to happen)
• heuristic (enigma) = anything that raises questions and causes the audience to be intrigued
• semantic - a connotation, an element in a text means more than its surface meaning
• symbolic = examples of symbols appearing in a narrative to convey a deeper meaning or theme
• referential = allusions or direct reference to existing works outside the text

Question 2

post modernism - baudrillard

Answer 2

• there have been three disctinct cultural phases: pre-modernity, modernity and post-modernity - we live in the post modern age
• the postmodern age is marked by a proliferation in media content and messaged which create hyperreal inertia
• media blending has resulted in the construction of fictionalised reality - a simulacra
• audiences yearn for this simulacra to become authentic and try to make their lives mirror the media - the simulacra becomes more real and desirable than reality

Question 3

steve neale - genre theory

Answer 3

two major components in the natural establishment and the evolution of genres are repetition and variety

• repetition: a genre category is formed and established through repetition as conventions have to ne repeatedly used throughout multiple texts over a period of time in order for audiences to recognise them
• variation: repetition on its own can be detrimental which is why it needs variety so that audiences don’t become bored - it keeps a genre in public consciousness

Question 4

narratology - todorov

Answer 4

• narrative refers to the underlying structure of a story

narrative structure of equilibrium:
- equilibrium (balanced, neutral, stable)
- disruption (disrupts equilibrium, creates conflict)
- recognition (must recognise problem and work things out to fix things)
- repair (overcome obstacles and challenges to repair the situation)
- resolution (final step in regaining equilibrium)

• todorov also looked at the way that these narratives have ideological significance
• the way a story unfolds in a narrative speaks to the views and beliefs of a creator or the social norms of the culture or community it emerges from

Question 5

structuralism - levi strauss

Answer 5

you cannot separate something from the broader context it exists in

the theory looks at underlying structures of meaning

• binary oppositions are a two way relationship
• it could be argued though, that superiority still plays a part in the creation of these opposites

Question 6

character archetypes - propp

Answer 6

propp looked at archetypes which are broader underlying categories than stereotypes and that have roles in a narrative

• the hero
• the villain
• the helper
• the donor
• the princess/ prize
• the false hero
• the oracle/ sage

other types of narrative:

• non linear
• intersecting (where different, seemingly separate narrative threads eventually combine and connect)
• cyclical
• non narrative text (you have the control to choose what you do/ what the narrative is)