Exam Prep
Semiotic Constructivism
Start banging on about semiotic constructivism in your exam to impress your reader.
Constructivism - is a theory in education that recognises the learners' understanding and knowledge based on their own experiences prior to entering school. It is associated with various philosophical positions, particularly in epistemology as well as ontology, politics, and ethics.
More at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructivism_(philosophy_of_education)
Semiotics - is an investigation into how meaning is created and how meaning is communicated. Its origins lie in the academic study of how signs and symbols (visual and linguistic) create meaning.
More at https://signsalad.com/our-thoughts/what-is-semiotics/
See the presentation below - it efficiently describes and contextualises Semiotic Constructivism.
Tips:
**Spend 15 mins at the start of the exam writing dot points for your answers. These will help you write quickly when you return to the question, and will give you some marks if you run out of time.**
Scaffolding an argument in academic writing: identify, describe, explain, analyse, evaluate.
Consider codes and conventions, preferred reading, resistant readings.
They Say, I Say.
Reference to communication Theories.
If you think you’ve finished, read your work, keep thinking, write more. During this process, it might be good to think about any other texts you can compare and contrast with.
Section 1: Short Answer
There will be six questions in the first section. You will be required to answer two questions. Justify your assertions with evidence from at least one of the stimulus materials, referring to specific examples, using relevant media terminology and appropriate media language.
In your answers, you may use the same stimulus material more than once.
Suggested working time: 30 minutes.
Your response to each question must be made in relation to at least one of the stimulus
materials provided to candidates via schools prior to the examination. The stimulus materials are:
1. A Glimpse
2. Freeman
3. Love, Death & Robots: All Through the House
4. Everest Glaciology – Truth is in the Ice
Consider the following, during your preparation:
Construction of narrative
Use of genre conventions
Representation of place
Construction of Point of View
Representation of issues
Representation of values
Click and study the infographic above.
Click and study the infographic above.
Click and study the infographic above.
Section Two: Extended answer
There are five questions in this section. You are required to answer two questions.
This section requires you to use extended answer form to answer the questions. Extended answers include but are not limited to conventional essay format; answers can use lists and dot points if they are appropriate to your answer.
Justify your choices with evidence from any media work and other relevant information, referring to specific examples, using relevant media terminology and appropriate media language.
Suggested working time: 120 minutes.
Consider the following, during your preparation:
How representations are constructed to challenge audience interpretations and values.
How ideology influences interpretations of media work and apply media theories to show an understanding of audience responses.
How publicity and avenues for exhibition are used to appeal to an intended audience.
Analyse how persuasive techniques are manipulated to make social or political comment in media work.
Discuss the influence of context on the values and attitudes presented in media work.