Representation Explained

Representation AS Media

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Here are the sort of questions you need to ask yourself for each of the possible ‘areas’.

Gender

- how are men/women shown to the audience in the extract?

- what does the programme seem to be saying about the status and experiences of men/women?

- does the programme challenge/conform with stereotypes?

Age


- how are the young and old shown to the audience in the extract?

- what does the programme seem to be saying about the status and experiences of the young/old?

- does the programme challenge/conform with stereotypes?

Sexuality

- how are characters with different sexual orientation/preference shown to the audience in the extract?


- what does the programme seem to be saying about the status and experiences of homosexual/heterosexual/bisexual characters ?

- does the programme challenge/conform with stereotypes?


Ethnicity


An ethnic group (or ethnicity) is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture(often including a shared religion) and an ideology that stresses common ancestry.

- how are characters from different ethnic groups or ethnic backgrounds shown to the audience in the extract?

- what does the programme seem to be saying about the status and experiences of characters from different ethnic backgrounds or different ethnic origins?

- does the programme challenge/conform with stereotypes?

Class and status


Remember class is about more than just money…you need to consider background, status and power.

- how are characters of different social class shown to the audience in the extract?

- what does the programme seem to be saying about the status and experiences of different social groups within society?

- does the programme challenge/conform with stereotypes?

Physical ability/disability


- how are the physically disabled shown to the audience in the extract; how does this representation compare with the representation of the physically able?

- what does the programme seem to be saying about the status and experiences of the physically disabled?

- does the programme challenge/conform with stereotypes?

Regional identity


- how are characters from different parts of the country shown to the audience in the extract?

- what does the programme seem to be saying about the status and experiences of people from different parts of the country?

- does the programme challenge/conform with stereotypes?

For Example

How can Editing relate to the issue of representation.

Juxtaposition – can create contrast
Pace – can create different impressions of different characters