How to take notes and write paragraphs in AS exam

L/O: to understand

a) How to set up notes effectively

b) How to write effective paragraphs

THE NOTES

Quiz

• How long is clip?

• How many times are you shown?

• When and how long are the breaks?

• Why do you take notes from the clip?

• How do you think you structure the notes?

Notes

• You are shown the clip 4 times

• Before the clip, 2 minutes to read questions

• 1 no notes

• 2 25% notes, 75% watching (2 min break)

• 3 50% notes, 50% watching (2 min break)

• 4 75% notes, 25% watching

How to take notes

Option 1Structure of clip (relies on remembering the key terms but organising essay later)

Beginning = Middle =End =

Option 2Each key term (relies on trying to get a variety of each point for technical area but organising essay will be up to you later)

Lighting =Colour = Setting =

Option 1CAM SAMC MES E S

Beginning

Or Scene 1

Middle

Or Scene 2

End

Or Scene 3

Option 2CAM SAMC MES E S

POINT

EVIDENCE

LINK TO REPRESENTATION/STEREOTYPES

-reinforce or challenge?

Remember

• You have to know the terms WELL

• Practice, practice, practice

• Make the most of your notes

• Only 30 minutes to write a full essay

PARAGRAPHS

Paragraphs

• What are PEAL paragraphs?

• Why are they important?

• What happens if you don’t use them?

Paragraphs

• Using PEAL paragraphs is essential in achieving above a D.

• If you don’t use PEAL structure, you will be writing randomly. (level 1 and maybe level 2)

• Using PEAL gives you focus.

• Remember you have already started your point, evidence in note taking!

P = POINT

Point

• Make a focused point. This is a statement which is focused to the representations and stereotypes.

• Ex. The main character ‘Mr Black’ is represented as a dominating authority figure. (age)

E = Evidence

Evidence

• 1. Provide evidence (evidence from an image (example from image) or text (quotation from text) which supports your point, is relevant and is the best example you can find. 2. (Explanation - Briefly explain your evidence)

A = Analysis (explanation)

Analysis• Analyse (explain the point and evidence) the work in more detail using analytical

verbs. Remember to analyse something means to examine it, observe it, scrutinize it, study it and evaluate it.

• Explain the representation/stereotype by explaining the 4 technical areas (He is represented as dominating by….) Strongest answers connect all 4 technical areas and how to work together to make stereotyped representations.

ANALYTICAL VERBS (to use for analysis)• Connotes (connoting, connotation)• Indicates (indicating, indicative)• Shows (showing)• Suggests (suggesting, suggestive)• Implies (implying, implication)• Highlights (highlighting)• Emphasises (emphasising)• Underlines (underlining)• Reinforces (reinforcing, reinforcement)

L = Link

Link

• Write and describe how it links back to the representation and stereotype.

• Re-inforced or challenged stereotype?

• Ex. Teachers are often older and represented as authority figures and this is reinforced in the extract.

LINKING TO REPRESENTATION

To link to the type of representation you can think about stereotypes; how are people stereotyped?

• What is/are the stereotypes?

• Is it a positive or negative stereotype?

• Does is reinforce, develop or challenge stereotypes?

• Why does it reinforce, develop or challenge stereotypes?

• Extension: Why is this relevant or important to our society?

Extension = Effect

Extension:

• Effect: What is the effect on the audience?

PEAL paragraphs with multiple points

• PEAL paragraphs aren’t always simple

• Sometimes you can have PEAL paragraphs with multiple points

• Sometimes they can be comparative and in the analysis you can COMPARE (similarities & differences)

Comparing

• B or above answers will have an element of comparison.• You could compare technical areas, stereotypes or even key terms

(ex. Characters costumes)• Comparing similarities• Comparing differences

CONNECTIVES to use for comparing• If you are going to COMPARE, then use appropriate connectives

(comparing connectives):– Similarities: Equally, similarly, likewise, like, as with, in the same

way, – Differences: Whereas, alternatively, instead of, otherwise,

however, on the other hand

Introduction

• You must always start a response/essay with an introduction

• Media exam = MUST BE SHORT!!!!!!!!!!! (time)

In the sequence from _________, the technical features are combined to construct the representation of _________.

Body paragraphs

• Body paragraphs are the middle of an essay

• Take a look at essay structure in revision booklet

SIMPLE (C/D) below CHALLENGING (B above)

List off the points randomly

SettingLightingCostume

Relate to structure of clip, and potentially compare

Beginning of clipMiddle of clipEnd of clip

Making additional points

• When you write paragraphs, remember simple connectives.

• Firstly, secondly, next, meanwhile, finally

These help to keep your writing (sentences) clear and well structured.

Conclusion

• A response/essay should always have a short conclude to conclude/summarize/wrap up the essay

• MUST BE SHORT!

As we have seen, the representation of _________ is constructed by the technical codes in the sequence.