AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company...

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Non-confidential A-level MEDIA STUDIES Feedback on the 2019 exams Commentaries booklet Published: Autumn 2019

Transcript of AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company...

Page 1: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

Non-confidential

A-level MEDIA STUDIES Feedback on the 2019 exams

Commentaries booklet

Published: Autumn 2019

Page 2: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Page 3: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Contents

Contents Page

Paper 1, key area 1: Familiar text analysis 4

Paper 1, key area 2: Concerning contexts 6

Paper 1, key area 3: The final question 8

Paper 2, key area 1: The theoretical framework 10

Paper 2, key area 2: Enabling ideas and academic theories 12

Paper 2, key area 3: Analysing products in context 14

Paper 2, key area 4: Synopticity 16

Page 4: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Paper 1, key area 1: Familiar text analysis High-level responses Student 1A Level 4, 8 marks An impressive response which is comfortable in Level 4. Focus on details is a strength. For 10 minutes work this represents: • a focus on media language • active reading • thorough analysis • critical engagement • specialist terms.

Student 1B Level 4+, 8 marks This does as much as we can ask. It is quite possible to do less and still get 8 marks. For 10 minutes work this represents: • a focus on media language • real purchase on the construction of meaning • active reading • thorough analysis • critical engagement • specialist terms.

Page 5: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Commentaries for mid/low-level responses Student 1C Level 3-, 5 marks Straightforward, direct and focused reading. Quite good in this context. For 10 minutes work this represents: • a less confident focus on media language • no real purchase on the construction of meaning • active reading • reasonable analysis • some engagement • specialist terms.

Student 1D Level 1-, 1 mark Sadly this response talks only about ‘words’ and only marginally in a media studies context so must be considered basic in this respect. For 10 minutes work this represents: • a misunderstanding of media language • no real purchase on the construction of meaning • reasonable description • some engagement.

Page 6: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Paper 1, key area 2: Concerning contexts Commentaries for high-level responses Student 1E Level 3+, 9 marks This does all there is to do albeit in a slightly laboured way. Given the range of demands here, this is very good. For 18 minutes work this represents: • a response to issues of media representation • an understanding of cultural and political contexts • a focus on cultural and political contexts • coverage of both texts • some knowledge and awareness of the Music Video CSP • use of subject specific terms • creates an interesting argument.

Student 1F Level 3-, 7 mark Makes some progress though it is quite unclear in places. More than satisfactory

For 18 minutes work this represents: • a response to issues of media representation • some understanding of cultural and political contexts • an attempt to focus on cultural and political contexts • coverage of both texts • some knowledge and awareness of the music video CSP (though analysis is not needed) • use of subject specific terms.

Page 7: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Commentaries for mid/low-level responses Student 1G Level 2+, 6 marks Integrated response which addresses both texts but offers little on the focus contexts. Satisfactory work. For 18 minutes work this represents: • a response to issues of media representation • little understanding of cultural and political contexts • coverage of both texts • tries to analyse the texts rather than explain them • some knowledge and awareness of the Music Video CSP • use of subject specific terms.

Student 1H Level 2, 5 marks There is fairly skimpy coverage of the poster and the focus is largely on pre-prepared context info, which is valid if limiting because it means little on ‘how’ and a mark in satisfactory because it does have a subject register. For 18 minutes work this represents:

• a response to issues of media representation • little understanding of cultural and political contexts • little focus on cultural and political contexts • coverage of both texts but mainly Common • some knowledge and awareness of the Music Video CSP (regurgitated) • evident subject register.

Page 8: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Paper 1, key area 3: The final question Commentaries for high-level responses Student 1I Level 4, 18 marks This is an impressive response because it is substantial in both its knowledge and understanding of the issues and application to the proposition. For 30 minutes work this is: • excellent answer to the question • detailed but selective set of examples from the CSPs • developed to a conclusion • efficiently written • inhabiting a subject register • addressing media audiences.

Student 1J Level 4-, 16 marks Works from an explanation of Hall that isn’t really needed to a very efficient and ultimately successful application. This is Level 4 work if at the bottom of that band For 30 minutes work this is: • very good answer to the question • detailed but slightly less selective set of examples from the CSPs • developed to a conclusion • efficiently written • inhabiting a subject register • addressing media audiences.

Page 9: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Mid/low-level responses Student 1K Level 3, 14 marks This offers specific application of theory. It is well focused and thoroughly good. For 30 minutes work this is: • an attempt to answer the question which is largely successful • less controlled in its use of the CSPs (especially WotW) • developed via enabling ideas and academic theory with some success • engagingly written • inhabiting a subject register • addressing media audiences.

Student 1L Level 3-, 10 marks A pretty good response. Full answer but not greatly developed. For 30 minutes work this is: • direct and sometimes unvarnished answer to the question • knowledge of the CSPs • work that comes to a conclusion • unevenly written • inhabiting a subject register • addressing media audiences.

Page 10: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Paper 2, key area 1: The theoretical framework Commentaries for high-level responses Student 2A Level 3, 9 marks • Thorough analysis • Very good on myth/integrated concepts • Critical engagement • Specialist terms • More than full marks

Student 2B Level 3-, 7 marks

• Produces an analysis which is excellent in places • Knowledge and understanding of terms • Integrates myth – not as explicit as Student 2A

Page 11: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Commentaries for mid/low-level responses Student 2C Level 2-, 4 marks • Quite simplistic approach to the text and the question but more than minimal • Almost analysis – moving away from description

Student 2D Level 1, 2 marks

• Confused response demonstrating minimal knowledge and understanding

Page 12: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Paper 2, key area 2: Enabling ideas and academic theories Commentaries for high-level responses Student 2E Level 5-, 23 marks

• First paragraph not promising • Use of subject specific terms • Shows knowledge and understanding of the framework and theory: understanding of the

construction of a world view, identifies repeated exposure etc as part of effects theories • Quite sophisticated evaluation of theory – not just negatives but suggests nuance • Links repetition to behaviour and ideology • Specific ref to theorists which is integrated. • Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of effects through discussion of Tomb Raider • Makes a valid link between male gaze and cultivation theory (rather than losing focus through

focus on representation) • Nuanced evaluation – talks about the subversion of mean world syndrome – ‘believing the world

is a nicer place than it is’ • Better on Sims than Tomb Raider but does clearly refer to and consider both in their argument

Student 2F Level 4, 18 marks • Applies Bandura meaningfully to violence in games • Argues it’s misogynistic – leads to discouraging female gamers (linking to effects) • Argument about ‘distorted reality’ shows understanding of manipulation and construction • Suggests argument for active audiences – engaged interpretation • Argument that audiences are too diverse to make effects theory meaningful shows the ability to

evaluate and make judgements • Reference to PEGI – could be relevant but not quite developed or integrated • Overall not quite developed or explicit enough for Level 5

Page 13: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Commentaries for mid/low-level responses Student 2G Level 3, 13 marks • Thoughtful analysis of Sims (showing understanding of representation and audience) but

doesn’t really engage specifically with effects theory • But – does evaluate by suggesting other reasons for playing and linking to relevant theories • ‘Some may say’ suggests a lack of clarity and precision • Discussion of Tomb Raider – more to do with representation than audience – implicit • Conclusion – some drawing together of arguments and points about simulations of reality

Student 2H Level 2, 8 marks • Does make reference to theories but lacks question focus • Theories aren’t always relevant and aren’t integrated • Veers intro representation • Doesn’t evaluate effects theories

Page 14: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Paper 2, key area 3: Analysing media products in context Commentaries for high-level responses Student 2I Level 5+, 25 marks • Detailed range of contexts • Question focus – reasons for contradictions in representation placed in context – shows

understanding of complexity in relationship • Reference to mental health as challenging context – analysis • Lots of terminology – myths, hypermasculinity, disrupt, spectacle, intertextuality etc • Academic media studies register • Refers to ideological nature of contradictions in representations – central to media studies

approach • Ideas/argument expressed through analysis of mode of address • Oh Comely – addresses ‘to what extent’ as a selling point, showing a measured analysis and

understanding of how industry operates • Identity distinct from ethnicity – a sophisticated point – recognises that this is subversive • Detailed analysis of front cover

Student 2J Level 4, 18 marks • Question focus – makes a judgement • Examples of age shows understanding of context – reference to representation as a subversion,

but also reinforcing traditional views – ‘desirable masculinity’ • Keeps coming back to question focus/to what extent • Perhaps a bit accepting that Men’s Health is doing something subversive – could have more

rigorous evaluation • Analysis of Oh Comely layout – could have more precision in developing point, but thoughtful

approach • Identifying magazine as a form of activism – understanding of contexts • Excellent point about framing – traditional female representation.

Page 15: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Mid/low-level responses Student 2K Level 3, 13 marks • Some question focus, engagement with topic, picks up on contradictions • Evidence of analysis • Contexts less explicit • Assumption that men are like this, women are like that etc, little room for nuance.

Student 2L Level 2, 10 marks • Evidence of question focus but quite a sweeping approach • Lack of specialist terminology and quite loose use of terms – ‘people have to be careful about’,

‘foreign girl’ etc • Some examples and analysis – but argument becomes slightly confused in attempting to link to

analysis • Does attempt to make judgements but not developed • Has question focus but not very meaningful – unable to develop and analyse • Generalises about what magazines do

Page 16: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Paper 2, key area 4: Analysing media products in context High-level responses Student 2M Level 4+, 20 marks • Question focus and evaluation – examples of the national context and distribution (slightly

descriptive) • Catalyst for interest in Danish Culture = USP is a meaningful point (could be more explicit but

shows synoptic approach) • Appeal of the genre addresses the question of subject matter • Representation of gender as argument for universal appeal (framework) • Reference to hybridity and Neale to demonstrate targeting • Evaluation about national representations and global audiences – thoughtful, relevant point

showing synopticity • (No offence was distributed in Europe) • Interesting point about authorship vs. conglomerate (maybe not expressed that explicitly but a

meaningfully synoptic approach) • Conclusion a bit weak – not quite top level – weaker on distribution/points could be more explicit

at times

Student 2N Level 4, 17 marks

• Develops argument about technology as appealing to global audiences • Question focus – technology/distribution/reception • Targeting through social media – subject content – enigmas, becoming detectives – synoptic

points • Public service broadcaster linked to target audiences - synoptic • Pleasure of crime as an audience appeal – develops question focus about subject matter • Ref to distribution but not explicitly global • Witnesses used effectively as a global example – from national to multi national • Argument that there is and Increased demand for representation of different cultures – complex

ideas beginning to develop • Role of public service broadcasting in representation – and innovation in crime genres –

synoptic points • Link to appeal of true crime/sensationalism/mean world syndrome – developing themes from

across the course.

Page 17: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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Mid/low-level responses Student 2O Level 3, 13 marks • Focuses more on subject matter, but some industry • Capital as examples of national representation • Public service broadcaster for national audience – these points tend to be more learnt response

that developed and used for evaluation etc. • D83 – German identity and international appeal (building on success of foreign language shows

– areas which shows beginning of a synoptic approach) • Ideology appeals to western capitalism – interesting point which needed to be developed,

further integrated. • Interesting – if confused – point about difference between national and global audiences

reaction • Brief point on distribution • Some evidence of synopticity – but not developed throughout the response

Student 2P Level 2+, 8 marks • There are areas of question focus: diversified representation to target audiences, failure in US • Loses question focus • Literal points on distribution and repetition of question • Simplistic approach which lacks precise references - Cold War as well known subject • Points about representation in D83 – relevant but confused • Lack of evaluation/making judgements

Page 18: AQA Minutes Template · AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723).

AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.

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