Paper 2: mock exam: learner response

1) Type up your feedback in full (you do not need to write mark/grade if you do not wish to).

Total = 52 = B 

WWW - You start and end brilliantly...if we can sort out the two questions in between you will be flying.

EBI - Revise and practice evaluation of theory questions. Try to cover both side of the argument to show a critical perspective towards the theory.

LR - See blog

2) Did you succeed in meeting or exceeding your target grade for A Level Media in this paper? If not, how many additional marks do you need to achieve your target grade in Paper 2?

Exceeded target grade. 

Now read through the real AQA mark scheme for Paper 2. Note that some of the CSPs have changed since last year's exam so we've updated some of the indicative content for our 2024 CSPs.

3) Write a question-by-question analysis of your performance. For each question, write how many marks you got from the number available and identify any points that you missed by carefully studying the AQA indicative content in the mark scheme:

Q1: 7/9

Additional points: The positioning of characters and the mode of address could be seen as a signifier of race and gender. The white male is positioned in the middle showing the stereotypical dominance, the black characters are put aside the white man perhaps housing how they are his workers or less superior than him. The female is positioned at the back to show how she is weak and meant to stay obedient so positioned at the back, but also gives a sense of authority due to the direct mode of address.

Q2: 12/25

Additional points:  The Voice - Shows the democratisation of new content through interviews and features about/by local people. There is an option of audience interaction and for them to contribute to the website through the comment section and the readers polls. Zendaya - raised her profile with her response to the E! Fashion Police criticism which went viral amongst the Gen Z which shows an arguable shift of power towards the audience. Much of her social and YT  presence is all constructed to encourage interaction with her fans reflecting end of audience.  

Q3:14/25

Additional points: D83 - exploitation of social media shows the change in TV consumption, strategy for the Sundance TV marketing was to use historical sliders, live tweeting by the actors and a 1980s playlist for the show. Distributed by Freemantle which is a global company targeting a global audience. Capital - BBC, series seen as "State-of-the-nation" drama so got the Sunday prime time slot which shows how they may have been a limited change to the distribution and consumption for Capital. Aimed at an older audience with a weekly schedule and adapted from a novel which may be a cause a interactivity, showing the traditional strategy in defining audiences. 

Q4:19/25

PLAN/ADDITIONAL POINTS DOWN BELOW.

4) Look at question 4 - the synoptic question. How many of the four key concepts did you cover in your answer? Write a new essay plan for this question using the indicative content in the mark scheme and taking care to include at least three of Language - Representations - Audience - Industries. You can use bullet points but make sure you offer enough content to meet the criteria for Level 5 (top level). This will be somewhere between 3-4 well-developed paragraphs planned in some detail.

QUESTION: To what extent do media construct a discourse of gender inequality? 

INTRO: Do construct gender inequality to a certain extent. Evidence for strong female representations but places for inequality.

PARA 1: The Sims Freeplay (TSF) - gender/sex roles (van Zoonen) seen when consuming characters and expansion packs such as Teens, pregnancy and The mall - all benefit the women. Also much more hairstyle and clothing option for women then men = inequality for men - reinforces stereotypes of women having to look and dress a a certain way - gender performativity (Butler).

PARA 2: Horizon Forbidden West (HFW) - Aloy is a strong female character, Guerilla Games described her as "Strong and independent" - shows progressive nature of media (woke). She can protect and attack her enemies just as the male characters, if not even more better. Gauntlett -" Sassy girl power icon...rather than a housewife" - subverts stereotypes of women being inferior.

PARA 3: TSF - audience contexts - challenges discourse of gender by having a new option for creating a non-binary option for characters. Shows how videogame industry is becoming more equal. Guantlett - Gender Fluidity.

PARA 4: HFW - However there may be inequality as Aloy is sexualised and objectified - lesbian storyline seen as voyeuristic pleasure for males and her costume is exposing,  Sex sells and spectacles (van Zoonen), male gaze (Mulvey), Berger's 'ways of seeing'.

CONC: Gender equality is much more progressive and inclusive then it used to be and videogames can be used as an example for this, but there is still some regressive and traditional viewpoints.

5) Based on the whole of your Paper 2 learner response, plan FIVE topics / concepts / CSPs / theories that you will prioritise in your Easter Media revision timetable.

1. OSP - Zendaya and The Voice   
2. Social, economical, cultural and political context of Capital and D83  
3. Clay Shirky  
4. Henry Jenkins - fandom  
5. Videogames - TSF and HFW