Key language

Semiotics

  1. Sign – an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else.
  2. Code – Symbolic tools used to create meaning
  3. Convention – Accepted ways of using media code
  4. Dominant Signifier – Any material thing that signifies
  5. Anchorage – Words with an image to provide context

Ferdinand de Saussure

  1. Signifier – a sign’s physical form (such as a sound, printed word, or image) as distinct from its meaning.
  2. Signified – the meaning or idea expressed by a sign, as distinct from the physical form in which it is expressed.

C S Pierce

  1. Icon – A sign that looks like its object
  2. Index – A sign or measure of something.
  3. Symbol – A sign that has a more random link to its object

Roland Barthes

  1. Signification – the representation or conveying of meaning
  2. Denotation – the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests
  3. Connotation – an idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning
  4. Myth – a widely held but false belief or idea

Media forms

CharacteristicsExample
Newspaper– In black and white print
– Published for a general audience
– Information on current events and local and regional news
The Daily Express
Television– Visual
– Appeals to a wide target audience
– Live news can be broadcasted
Good Morning Britain
Film– Usually intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes
– Continuous showing, no advertisements
– Can be expensive and very time consuming to create
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet
Radio– Audio
– Music, news and advertisements can be played
– The radio station played depends on the area one lives in
Channel 103
Video games– Played on a video game console
– Expensive to rent/buy
– Large variety of games appealing to different consumers
Sims
Music video– Audio and visual
– Illustrates a story of the song
– Typically very creative
Chandelier by Sia
Marketing/advertising– Made to sound or look very appealing to the audience
– Can be very expensive to market/advertise depending on who is advertising a product or service, how often and where
– Marketing/advertising can be deceptive so people are more interested in purchasing the product/service
Garnier advertisement
Social media – Free to use
– Very large audience
– Easy to use and more modern than other media forms
Instagram
Magazines– Very engaging they can have quizzes, games, competitions
– Usually are issued monthly, a subscription can be purchased
– There are many different genres such as fashion, women’s health, home decor magazines
Elle