How to answer an Exam question in Media...

 How to answer an exam question. Don't think at all.

Spent hours of study, essays, coursework, etc, and discussions in class- So there shouldn't have to be any thinking whatsoever. Its already been done and cultivated over time. Just apply the structure to any question that comes up.

PEA Point Evidence Argument

How would an audience respond to and interpret the representations of this media product?

Explore the ways in which audiences can respond to and interpreter the representations of gender in Humans.

1. Underline/Highlight key terms.

Explore the ways in which audiences can respond to and interpreter the representations of gender in Humans.

2. Think of an argument, a knee jerk reaction to run with on the question.

There are lots of ways in which audiences can respond to gender in Humans.

3. The plan

Spew everything relevant to the question that you can out, theories,  scenes from the text, etc.

EX:

Liesbet Van Zoonen LVZ

Stuart hall - theories of representation

Gender Performativity 

Laura Mulvey - The Male Gaze

Brothel scene with Leo

Anita's representation as maid/ slave

Binary Opposites

Anita versus Laura as conventionally/unconventionally maternal.

Anita perfect woman - Better than perfect, unreal.

hyperreality

stereotypes (widely held beliefs about certain people. IE present in every media text.)

Objectification/Sexualisation

Paul Gilroy 

bell hooks

'Crusty sheets'

4. Write the Introduction paragraph, C.D.A. demonstrating background knowledge and understanding of relevant theories. Context, definition, Argument. These can be done in any which way, unlike PEA.

C) Context: Humans is a science fiction tv show first broadcast on channel 4 in 2015. As an adaptation of the Swedish show Real Humans.

D) Definition:

A) Argument: In this essay, I shall explore how many different and often conflicting representations of gender are reflected in Humans.

Point - One way in which representation is constructed in a stereotypical way in order to provoke audiences is through the stereotypical and highly hegemonic representation of Anita. An excellent example of Anita's stereotypical gender performativity can be found in the breakfast scene. The mid-shot of Anita cooking instantly positions her in the setting of the Hawkins' kitchen. This is further reinforced through her stereotypical costume, a basic maid's outfit, which forms a binary opposition between her and the Hawkins Family, who's messy and informal mise-en-scene could not be more different. Anita is even positioned in slightly low key lighting, which once more contrasts with the Hawkins Family. Anita's voice is both calm and robotic, a specific convention of the science fiction genre, that clearly will appeal to pre-exisitng science fiction fans. 

The binary opposition between middle-class setting and working-class Anita.
Anitas' representation here is stereotypical of how women are represented in our society. This representation could particularly resonate with female target audiences, who will be able to identify with Anita, and the ways in which she is represented. Additionally, the male characters in this scene continually look at Anita, reinforcing her importance. This is an excellent example of Van Zoonen's notion of the male gaze, where the only purpose of a woman in a media product is to be seen and valued by heterosexual male acknowledgment.