7.1 Connecting Theoretical Frameworks

• Core media theories are fundamental frameworks that help us understand how media texts, industries, and audiences function
• Understanding core media theories is optional for the synoptic assessment in AQA A-Level Media Studies

  False
• What are key concepts in Narrative Theory?

  Story structure, character archetypes
• Representation in media connects directly to Semiotics and Feminist Theory


  True
• Arrange the steps of the encoding/decoding process in Audience Theory:

  1️⃣ Media text is produced

  2️⃣ Message is encoded

  3️⃣ Message is transmitted

  4️⃣ Audience decodes the message
• Feminist Theory examines the representation of gender and patriarchal structures in media


  True
• Understanding media theories allows students to evaluate media industries and their practices
• What are the key concepts in Semiotics as applied to media studies?

  Signs, signifiers, and signifieds
• What are the key concepts in Audience Theory?

  Active/passive audiences, encoding/decoding
• What is the ultimate goal of applying media theories in the synoptic assessment?

  Develop a comprehensive understanding
• Which core theory relates to the theme of Institutions in media studies?

  Audience Theory
• The theme of Language in media studies ties to Narrative Theory and Semiotics


  True
• Semiotics focuses on how media texts construct meaning through signs and symbols
• What does Narrative Theory analyze in media texts?

  Structure and conventions
• Feminist Theory may not fully capture the intersectionality of identity representation


  True
• Narrative Theory focuses on the story structure, character archetypes, and genre conventions
• What is a key focus of Feminist Theory in media studies?

  Representation of gender
• Narrative Theory in a superhero film explores the film's story structure and genre conventions
• Feminist Theory in a superhero film may identify patriarchal themes

  True
• A Feminist Theory analysis can critique the representation of gender
• What are the three key concepts in Semiotics?

  Signs, signifiers, signifieds
• Match the theoretical framework with its focus:

  Semiotics ↔️ Signs and symbols

  Narrative Theory ↔️ Story structure

  Audience Theory ↔️ Audience engagement

  Feminist Theory ↔️ Gender representation
• Audience Theory considers whether the text addresses an active or passive audience.
• What might a Semiotic analysis of a superhero film focus on?

  Visual symbols and costumes
• Match the media theory with its key concepts:

  Semiotics ↔️ Signs, signifiers, signifieds

  Narrative Theory ↔️ Story structure, genre conventions

  Audience Theory ↔️ Active/passive audiences, encoding/decoding

  Feminist Theory ↔️ Patriarchal structures, intersectionality
• The theme of language in media studies relates to Narrative Theory.
• The limitation of Semiotics is that it does not fully account for audience interpretation
• Audience Theory emphasizes the active role of audiences in meaning-making
• Feminist Theory highlights marginalized perspectives and patriarchal structures
• Match each media theory with its focus:

  Semiotics ↔️ Constructing meaning through signs

  Narrative Theory ↔️ Conventions of storytelling

  Audience Theory ↔️ Audience engagement with media

  Feminist Theory ↔️ Representation of gender
• Semiotics can be used to examine visual, aural, and textual elements to reveal symbolic meanings
• Audience Theory investigates whether a media text caters to active or passive audiences
• Combining theoretical frameworks enhances the critical evaluation of media texts.


  True
• You can use Semiotics to analyze the symbolic meanings in a text, then apply Audience Theory to consider how audiences interpret
• Combining Semiotics, Narrative Theory, Audience Theory, and Feminist Theory can provide a comprehensive analysis of a superhero film.

  True
• What are core media theories used to analyze in media studies?

  Media texts, industries, audiences
• In semiotics, a sign is composed of a signifier and a signified
• Match the media theory with its key concepts:

  Semiotics ↔️ Signs, signifiers, signifieds

  Narrative Theory ↔️ Story structure, genre conventions

  Audience Theory ↔️ Encoding/decoding, active audiences
• Language in media ties to Narrative Theory and Semiotics
• What are key concepts in Audience Theory?

  Active/passive audiences, encoding/decoding