Y13 baseline assessment learner response

1) Type up your feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential).

WWW: Q2 is superb: such brilliant use of the CSP pages and excellent focus on the question throughout. Close to a top level response. The challenge now is reaching that level in every question.

EBI: The big lesson here is Q1: unseen. You need to revise semiotics (particularly myth and ideology) but also think about your approach to these questions and your focus on the key words. 

- In Q2 I'm sure timing was an issue at the end but perhaps a paragraph on diversification (GQ-online, GW- events) could have added a little more to the essay. 

2) Focusing on the unseen question 1, pick out three bullet points on the anticipated content and link each point to the three aspects of the question - denotation, connotation, myth. 

-The construction of myth through the use of signs – the lone, charismatic American hero, violent but thoughtful and reflective.

-The connotations of the image with reference to USA’s national identity through the burning flag and the reference to the Western genre.

-Concept of the US as born out of violence (in flames).

3) Look at the anticipated content for the 25-mark Magazines question. Pick out three points on GQ and three on The Gentlewoman that you think are particularly interesting for this question on social and cultural contexts.

GQ:

-GQ’s new approach to gender could also challenge bell hooks’s idea of normalised traumatisation and the corrosive effect of traditional hegemonic masculinity. This idea that patriarchal society damages both women and men is perhaps subverted by recent editions of GQ magazine.

-In addition to a changing approach to masculinity, Welch also moved the magazine’s focus away from traditional print and towards digital, social media and video content. From this perspective, it may be less social and cultural changes towards gender and instead generational differences in terms of the distribution and consumption of media products. Younger audiences are not engaging with print products and therefore GQ has changed its product to move with this technological change. Video content such as the Netflix Heartstopper actors responding to key scenes or Bukayo Saka talking about his essential lifestyle items is more about technological convergence than social or cultural change.

-In contrast, students may point to the Francis Ford Coppola feature on The Godfather as reinforcing a more traditional masculine interest in gangster films and violence. Similarly, the Jonathan Bailey fashion suit certainly subverts traditional masculinity in many ways (alongside the actor’s discussion of his sexuality in the interview) but it could also be argued the costume of suits and jackets, the formal shoes, the serious expressions and the low-angle shots to signify power actually reinforce some masculine stereotypes.

The Gentlewoman:

-In contrast, it could also be argued that these features do not represent a huge social and cultural change and in fact offer more of a reflection of The Gentlewoman’s upper middle class, wealthy typical reader. The Gentlewoman Club reinforces this, an exclusive series of events where attendees are hand-picked by Penny Martin and take place in conjunction with luxury brands. The pretension and privilege in the Gentlewoman is nothing new, just repackaged for a new generation.

-It is published just twice a year which is perhaps the consequence of the digital revolution in society. It’s worldwide distribution (many copies paid by subscription rather than newsstand) reflects the change in the way audiences buy and consume their media.

-The magazine certainly reflects the feminist movement and therefore does show a product responding to changing social and cultural contexts. Editor Penny Martin talks about wanting to represent “how modern women live” and reflect “women as they actually look, sound and dress”. The magazine has also subverted trends in the women’s lifestyle genre by selecting a wide range of cover stars including 88-year-old Angela Lansbury and Beyonce deliberately photographed using no make-up.

4) Write a full essay plan for the 25-mark Magazines question. The mark scheme contains plenty of ideas you can use here. Your plan should include notes/bullet points addressing the following:

• Introduction: Both GQ and The Gentlewoman show importance of keeping up with the changing social and cultural contexts in their magazines however, both magazines also highlight the importance of keeping traditional values alive. 
• Paragraph 1 content: The Ramla Ali feature- reflecting that the Gentlewoman supports the feminist movement, apply Judith Butler's theory of gender being socially constructed- Ramla is rejecting the ideology of reinforcing the stereotypical gender norm for a female. Include Penny Martin quote "GW is a magazine made by feminists for feminists." 
• Paragraph 2 content: The Gentlewoman doesn't show the importance of responding to social and cultural change, it's just the reflection of the Gentlewoman's upper class, wealthy reader- The Gentlewoman Club where attendees are hand-picked by Martin etc. the magazine being published only twice a year- not really any social media opportunities- privileged/more closed off- targeting niche audience. Therefore, The Gentlewoman is not really responding to the social and cultural context of the rise in digital media as they are still keeping up with more traditional approaches. 
• Paragraph 3 content: GQ's approach to "New Masculinity"- challenging gender stereotypes (Jonathan Bailey feature) Link to Gauntlett's theory of gender becoming more fluid and his view of  the mass media is a force for change and is actively liberalising society, “slow and steady process of change and transformation”. However, the Robert Pattinson cover and the feature on The Godfather still reinforces traditional masculinity- violence, interest in gangster films etc. 
• Paragraph 4 content: GQ responding to the rise in digital media by focusing on providing their audience with more social media and video content. Attracting younger audiences and responding to the way audiences now consume and distribute media products- active audience. 
• Conclusion: Overall, magazines should most definitely respond to social and cultural changes if they want to keep their audiences and/or attract more however, it is also important for magazines to still keep their traditional values to maintain the audience that may reject the new changes/ response to the changing social and cultural contexts. 

5) Finally, identify three key skills/topics you want to work on in A Level Media this year before the final exams in June.

-Semiotics/unseen question- being able to identify what myth is being reinforced in the unseen media product.

- Timing of answering questions- making sure to leave enough time to answer all questions fully.

- Making sure to always include as much theory as possible in my essays and linking it back to the CSP pages.