Monday, 19 January 2026

Introduction to Newspapers

1) What type of news can you typically find in a tabloid newspaper?

You typically find major news in a tabloid newspaper 

2) What type of news can you typically find in a broadsheet newspaper?

You typically find news on topics like politics, economy and international affairs in a tabloid newspaper 

3) If someone is left-wing, which political party in the UK are they most likely to support? Which newspapers would they be likely to read?

Left-wing (Socialist) is in favour of social equality and reform. The Labour Party is considered left-wing and the Daily Mirror generally supports Labour and left-wing causes.

4) If someone is right-wing, which political party in the UK are they most likely to support? Which newspaper would they be most likely to read?

Right-wing (Conservative) prefers the traditional way things are and in favour of low taxes. The Conservative Party is considered right-wing and the Times generally supports the Conservatives and right-wing causes.

5) Why has there been a decline in newspaper sales in the last 50 years?

There has been a gradual decline in newspaper sales due to the rise of TV ownership (and news programmes) and, more recently, the growth of digital news through websites and social media.

6) Why is a free press important in a democracy like the UK?

A free press is important in a democracy like the UK because it acts as a public watchdog, holding power accountable by investigating and exposing wrongdoing while also informing citizens with multiple perspectives and facts

Thursday, 8 January 2026

December Mock Exam: Learner Response

 1) Type up any feedback on your paper (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential). If you only have marks and a grade on the paper, write a WWW/Next Steps yourself based on your scores.

WWW: Abdul - some knowledge + understanding of the OSP CSP's as evidenced through your 20-mark essay - style questions
Next Steps:
1) You need to ensure you attempt every Q-Q2 was worth 20-marks. Complete past Papers to feel 'Exam Ready'
2) TV questions (Section A) you must analyse the clips for the 8+12 Mark Qs
LR: see blog.

2) Use the mark scheme for this Paper 2 mock (posted on GC) to read the answers AQA were looking for. First, write down a definition and example of a diegetic sound (Q1.1 and 1.2). 

Sounds that can be heard by the characters and audience e.g Lyra talking (Dialogue)

3) Next, identify three points you could have made in Q1.3 - camerawork and the extract. Look for the indicative content in the mark scheme - these are the suggested answers from AQA.

• The opening shot in the extract focuses on the omelette in Will’s hand – almost a close-up – with handheld camera movement following the plate to the table. This focus on the food Will has cooked seems to establish him as the less dominant person in the relationship. The medium shot of Lyra suspiciously looking at the food reinforces this power imbalance in their relationship.
• Camera angle is used in an interesting way in the extract. Will is often shown from a low angle which should suggest power or dominance. However, his expression and body language is very timid so in fact seems to further emphasise Lyra’s confidence. When Lyra is sitting at the table, the camera is deliberately placed at Lyra’s level so
she is not presented as weak or vulnerable.
• The wide shot and slow dolly/tracking through the open doors shows both characters together sitting at the table. This deliberately places both characters in the same frame as the conversation becomes more friendly and less guarded. The camerawork is communicating the growing friendship between Lyra and Will and helps to foreshadow the suggestion (in the very next shot) from Will that they team up and work together. The slow dolly/track at this point signals to the audience that something important is happening; their relationship is changing. It works in a similar way to a zoom.

4) Now look at Q1.4 in the mark scheme - pick out two points from the mark scheme that you could have included in your answer.

• Lyra’s costume subverts feminine stereotypes. It is blue, practical and does not emphasise her figure or draw attention. It helps to establish Lyra as a practical, confident character who is used to surviving on her own.
• The way Lyra first investigates and then eats the omelette also subverts feminine stereotypes. Her interaction with props in the scene deliberately subvert ideas of being ‘ladylike’ or feminine.

5) Look at Q2 - the 20-mark essay on representations of age and social and cultural contexts. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your answer.

• Media representations of teens/young adults usually identify this group by their attitudes, behaviour, language, clothing and music. There are many negative stereotypes of teenagers in television drama in which characteristics such as laziness, anti-social behaviour, inability to concentrate and self-indulgence are portrayed as ‘typical’.
• There are also positive representations of teens in which attributes such as freedom, independence, creativity and social awareness are likely to be emphasised. Some frequently represented characteristics of teenagers may be seen as positive by younger audiences but as negative by older audiences. These include rebelliousness, openness to change, liberal values on matters such as sexuality and a much stronger commitment to friendship groups than to family or country.
• Dominant cultural values of the early 1960s placed a strong emphasis on ‘tradition’. This meant that there was an expectation that young people would conform to social norms and show obedience, deference and respect to figures of authority including parents and teachers. Media representations which challenged or subverted these
cultural codes would have been shocking to a 1963 television audience.

6) Turning your attention to Section B, write a definition and example of user-generated content - use the mark scheme to check it.

UGC is content that is produced by the audience e.g comments on a YouTube video or a a fan-made video

7) Look at Q4 - the 20-mark essay on the power of influencers. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your own answer. 

• Kim Kardashian is one of the most successful social media influencers of all time. She uses her social media presence to promote herself and her brands to her 350 million followers. Kardashian is highly sought after as a brand ambassador and is paid millions of dollars by companies to promote their products.
• Kim Kardashian's engagement rate is lower than Rashford at 0.33% but she has over 350 million followers so can still reach and engage with huge audiences.
• Kim Kardashian’s net worth has been estimated at $1.7 BILLION. This is from The Kardashians TV show on Hulu ($100m deal) alongside her brands SKIMS, KKW Beauty and many more.

8) Now look at Q5 - the 20-mark essay on regulation and the internet. Again, pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your own answer.

• loss of self-esteem or confidence resulting from competitive use of social media
• distribution of ‘fake news’ or false stories
• diminished attention span and problems of addiction (especially in relation to social media)

9) On a scale of 1-10 (1 = low, 10 = high), how much revision and preparation did you do for your Media mock exam? Be honest here - it's a good chance to think about how to approach the next set of mock exams.

On a scale of 1-10 I'd say 5 as i managed to revise some of the topics that came up on this exam

10) List three key things you want to revise before the next mock exams in February (e.g. particular CSPs, terminology, exam technique etc.)

1) Kim Kardashian CSP
2) Media terminology
3) Camera works and their connotations

Introduction to Newspapers

1) What type of news can you typically find in a  tabloid  newspaper? You typically find major news  in a  tabloid   newspaper  2)  What typ...