2. Aims
To examine mark scheme for section B
To apply understanding of representation of
youth to a past exam question.
3. Explanation / analysis / argument
(16-20 marks)
Candidates adapt their learning to the specific
requirements of the chosen question in excellent
fashion and make connections in order to
present a coherent argument.
The answer offers a clear, fluent balance of
media theories and knowledge of industries and
texts and informed personal engagement with
issues and debates.
4. Use of examples (16-20 marks)
Examples of contemporary texts and industry
knowledge are clearly connected together in
the answer.
History and the future are integrated into the
discussion with conviction.
5. Use of terminology (8-10 marks)
Throughout the answer, material presented is
informed by media theory and the command of
the appropriate conceptual and theoretical
language is excellent.
6. June 2011
7 Explain the role played by the media in the
construction of collective identity. [50]
7. What is the question asking?
7 Explain the role played by the media in the
construction of collective identity. [50]
In other words, how does the media
(film/press/broadcast news/social media) create
representations of youth/young people.
8. Where to start?
7 Explain the role played by the media in the construction of collective
identity. [50]
1. Write a brief plan.
2. State your argument (e.g. Media representations of young people are
often very negative. Demonisation of youth)
Link your argument to a relevant theorist (Mass
media construct
representations of youth from a middle class, adult
perspective, for the ideological purpose of maintaining
hegemony – Gramsci. Also David Gauntlett – identity is not
‘given’ but are constructed and negotiated)
3. Introduce the texts you will be focusing on.
1. Quadrophenia/Clockwork Orange, newspaper/broadcast news during
London riots, social media and Plan B.
9. What next?
7 Explain the role played by the media in the
construction of collective identity. [50]
1. Historical representations – Quadrophenia and
Clockwork Orange
2. Discuss how these films constructed representation of
youth identity. Give specific examples.
3. Link to theory, Stan Cohen – Moral Panics, deviance
amplification by the media
10. How do I link to contemporary
texts?
It could be argued that the media still demonises
young people today and creates moral panics
as exemplified by my recent research of
newspapers.
The demonsiation of young people is still evident
today. During last years London riots the mass
media fuelled this negative portrayal of young
people. For example…
Moral panics are still evident today. The London
riots is an example of the media creating a
panic about young people….
11. How would I use my own
research into riots?
When you offer your own examples of
construction of youth identity don’t forget to
state which bulletin/newspaper you are
discussing and the date it was
published/broadcast.
Be specific with your examples and discuss how
that text constructs the identity of young people.
Could link in the ideas of Gramsci (hegemony)
and Foucault (discourse and power).
12. What next?
7 Explain the role played by the media in the
construction of collective identity. [50]
Were youths given space within the discourse of the
media to construct a positive identity?
Could use stats to show the ages of those in court.
Give examples of construction of positive representation
of youth identity.
13. What next?
7 Explain the role played by the media in the
construction of collective identity. [50]
Can the role played by the media in the construction of
identity ever be resisted or challenged?
Offer specific examples to illustrate your argument.
Clean up, not in my name campaign, supporting MET police
Facebook page, 99% campaign
Foucault and Gramsci
14. The media constructs identity to
a certain extent however….
7 Explain the role played by the media in the
construction of collective identity. [50]
Discuss specific examples of how social media could
perhaps challenge the demonisation of young people
by the mass media.
Could link in David Gauntlett and also David
Buckingham.
15. Plan B
7 Explain the role played by the media in the
construction of collective identity. [50]
Time4planb campaign
Wants the media to offer a fairer representation of
young people and give them hope for the future (link to
possible reasons for London riots)
Song and video for iLL Manors challenges/fuels
collective identity? Give specific examples from both his
music video, lyrics and also his statement on his website.
16. Future?
7 Explain the role played by the media in the construction of
collective identity. [50]
Has the role the media plays in the construction of identity
changed over time?
Could younger creators of the media have a role in offering a
fairer, more truthful representation of young people today?
Has social media empowered youth to have a voice within
the media?
• Could it be argued that social media has
limited impact compared to mass
media?
17. Finally
Link all ideas/theory together.
Summarise how far you think media plays a role in constructing
identity of young people.
Could continuous negative portrayals of young people can
have a damaging impact on young people in society?
Could end by linking to Gauntlett and his idea that identity can
be negotiated and consider the future of youth identity.
Or consider Mikhail Bakhtin who stated that ‘individual people
cannot be finalised, completely understood, known, or labelled. He
saw identity as the ‘unfinalised self’, meaning a person is never fully
revealed or known.’
18. June 2011
7 Explain the role played
by the media in the
construction of collective
identity. [50]
Essay to be submitted
Monday 26th March 2012
