Guardian Newspaper - Exam Practice Time Conditions

Audience: On the basis of this ad, who does the Guardian brand appeal to?(CAGE)

Firstly, the primary audience is white middle class individuals between ages 24-40 year olds  both female and male which may suggest that the advert is likely appeal to the social economic classification group of A/B. This is because the Guardian is a newspaper broadsheet which covers a range of issues such as politics, businesses, money, suggesting that the Guardian targets individuals who have a high income status as they are more likely to be aware of the information in the newspaper, therefore the advert is targeting the similar audience. However, the secondary audience could possibly be for working class individuals who are associated with the social economic class  of D/C1/C2. This is because the Guardian advert is about helping those people who nee help on their financially mortgage and as working class individuals who have semi-skilled/skilled jobs are less to middle class people, therefore they may identify with the advert. Furthermore, according to young and rubicom theory the psychographic group which may may appeal to the Guardian brand could be Resigned. This is because they are the people who seek survival, prefer brand choices which stresses safety and the Guardian advert promotes this by highlighting to the audience that they would help individuals who need support on their financial payments.

Media Forms: What techniques does the ad use to persuade the audience to consume the Guardian?

Firstly, this advert is a post-modern re-written story of the Three Little Pigs which is effective as it makes the advert look unique and is promoting open journalism. The non-diegetic sounds of different peoples voices could persuade the audience to consume the Guardian as it highlights to them the effect of what could happen to people who are in financial problems; however, towards the end of the clip  the montage editing used and then changed to everyday day clip of people accessing the Guardian newspaper and website suggest that The Guardian is updated with their information. This is effective in persuading the audience as it conveys that the Guardian covers many useful issues such as news, money, politics which would appeal to the audience especially middle class people (A/B). Moreover, as the advert is a post-modern re-written story of The Three Little Pigs the parallel sound used in the advert creates a tense and dramatic atmosphere for the audience;however, the parallel sound used at the beginning of the advert creates a magical and fairy tale atmosphere. The non-diegetic sound used more in the advert alongside with diegetic sound which is effective in creating a chaotic scene and atmosphere. Moreover, Levi-Strauss narrative theory of binary opposition is highlighted in this advert as it is the three little pigs (good) versus the wolf (bad). 

Media Institution: What issues of new technology does this ad raise and what does it tell us about the values of The Guardian?

The issues of being raised in the advert could be that modern technology such as the internet are becoming for advanced and popular. This is because through mobile phones people can access The Guardian website instead of consuming the newspaper which shows that print is in decline. Also, in the advert it shows people viewing the news on The Guardian website and it shows a club broadcasted on YouTube which clearly conveys that new technology is becoming more popular with people. The technique of synergy is used in the advert as the people in the advert are using social networking sites such as Twitter and Face Book which is effective in promoting these successful sites to the audience which may appeal to them.

Representation: How is the news represented in the advert?

The advert highlights how the news has become more advanced as people can access it through their computer or phones. This is effective in showing that technology has become more modern and advanced over the years. Notably, the news is important to everybody world wide and the advert clearly establishes this through people wanting to know what happened to the three little pigs. The advert promotes a positive representation of the news in showing how social networking has influenced individuals in reading the news as it has become more advanced. 

Call of Duty video game trailer - Exam Practice Time Conditions

Media Audiences: Who does this text appeal to and what pleasures does it offer?

Firstly, the target audience for this trailer is males between the ages 17-30 year olds who enjoy playing the game Call of Duty or are console fans . This shows that the trailer appeals to a more male dominated audience because of the violence, blood, strong language which is featured, therefore it is unlikely to intrigue a female audience as they are more into feminine things. Notably, the social economic class which would be associated with the target audience would be  C2,C1, and B. This is because Xbox and buying the game on top would be expensive which conveys that individuals from these three economic classes are more likely to afford it. However, some middle class individuals from the social demographic of group A possibly may be appealed in buying this game but as they have high ranking jobs they may not have time or they prefer other things. Moreover, according to Katz and Blulmer audiences uses and gratification theory the pleasure the trailer offers is Diversion as the audience may feel entertained while watching the audience and personal relationship as they may buy this game to form a relationship/interact with other people. Furthermore, the trailer could appeal to the psychographic group of explores and reformers. 

Media Forms: What codes and conventions does the trailer use to establish the text’s genre?

The genre of this trailer is an action which is clearly establish through the iconography of the guns, blood, bombs, cars, explosions etc which creates a dynamic atmosphere for the audience. This is linked to Barthes theory of actions codes as the different iconography shown in the trailer all relate to the genre of the trailer, which makes it clear for the audience to know what type of game this is. Notably, the clothing are significant because the helmets/green army costume the men wear all link to genre of the text being an action and the fact that there are various setting shown in the trailer reinforces the idea of a war taking place. Moreover, the montage editing used is effective in creating a dramatic atmosphere as the fast pace editing with guns shots and bombs establishes to the audience that the game is specifically focuses on action. The trailer uses mostly long shots/establishment shots to show the different elements of this game and the point of view shots are effective as it would make the audience feel as if they are actually in the setting.

Media Representations: How is war represented in the trailer?
The trailer promotes a negative representation of the war as being destructive and dangerous event. For instance, the bomb exploding, shooting, blood, all create a dramatic and tense atmosphere and it allows the audience to feel as if they are in the soldiers shoes and experience war from their perspective. This genre is likely to have a negative influence on young children if they play this game as it would encourage violent and aggressive behaviour due to the props used.

Media Institutions: In what ways is the trailer typical of the video game industry?
The trailer is typical of a video game industry through the graphics as normally in a trailer it would either be animations or filming actual people.In a trailer there is always a voice over of a narrator or character talking to give the audience an idea of what the narrative is going to be about; however, this trailer does not include any voice over instead it contains non-diegetic sound of explosions, music which makes it suitable for a video game industry. This is because the audience would be more interested in finding out about what the game would be like, therefore by showing the different elements in this trailer would keep them engaged and entertained. Notably, there are important information shown at the end of trailer which is common such as the release date for the game which allows the audience to know when the game will be available for them to buy.

'i' Newspaper Exam Questions.

1) Media Forms
How does the text both subvert and reinforce the typical conventions for a newspaper front page? (12 marks)

The newspaper for 'i' is layed out in a unique and different way compared to other newspapers. For instance, the masthead for The Guardian or The Sun newspaper is placed at the top which makes it clear for the readers to know what type of newspaper this is. However, for the 'i' newspaper the masthead is on placed the left side which presents the newspaper in a unique way which conveys that it does not follow the typical conventions of a newspaper. Additionally, the 'i' in a red, big serif typography which is effective for the readers as it is noticeable. Notably, the serif typography used could connote royalty and makes the magazine look traditional which could be reinforcing the conservative values. Similarly, The Sun newspaper masthead is in a white striking typography which also makes it recognisable for the readers, therefore attracting more people. 

Moreover, the appearance of the newspaper is very colourful and contains different images which would appeal to many people and it almost has the similar conventions to a website rather than a newspaper. Whereas, The Guardian newspaper cover only uses the colour black for the mast head with the text colour white which makes it less visual appealing. Furthermore, the in a small typography font the newspaper advertises social media links which highlights it's uniqueness as many newspapers does not include this. Also, the price of the newspaper is 20p which could suggest that the secondary audience for 'i' newspaper is possibly young teenagers from the social economic classification of E/D as they are students and may prefer to buy cheaper newspapers.

Media Institutions
Why might the ‘i’ newspaper have been successful in a newspaper industry that has generally been in decline? (12 marks)
Print media has generally be in decline especially amongst the demographics of young teenagers because of the E-media as individuals can now access the internet to read newspapers or magazines. Notably, the 'i' newspaper might be successful in a newspaper industry that has been in decline is because of the price. The price of the newspaper is only 20p which is a cheap and reasonable price, therefore working class individual who are on benefits are likely to purchase it. Also, it does encourage people for middle class as well to buy the newspaper if they are the conservative type and want to spend less due to the recession as they would still be updated with the latest news.

Media Audiences
What would you expect the ‘i’ newspaper’s target audience to be based on this front page? (12 marks)
Based on the front page I think the 'i' newspaper targets the demographics group of A/B middle class people. This is because of the cover lines are mainly about politics, global news and sports which may interest middle class people who want to know more about what is happening around the word. The psycho graphic group which would be related to this social demographic group could be succeeders as they are the people who aspire to be successful. Moreover, according to Katz and Blumler uses and gratifications theory for this newspaper the audience would receive surveillance about the news.

Media Representations
How is Britain represented in this text? (12 marks)
Britain is represented as a country with pride as on the newspaper cover they have used the colours  of the Union Jack flag which gives a sense of community and belonging. Notably, the colours of the Union Jack flag are royal which could suggest that the 'i' newspaper is representing Britain as a prosperity country. However, the pictures of the people on the newspaper are not from different ethnic groups which could suggest that they are represented Britain as a non-diverse country even though Britain is a multi-cultural country.