AQA GCSE Media Studies key terms

The way a media product constructs an image of a person, group, place or idea through selected details.

The stage at which a narrative’s disruption or problem is dealt with, establishing a restored or changed situation.

A selected group whose behaviour or responses are studied to learn about a wider population.

Broadcasting that follows a schedule, with programmes transmitted at times chosen by the broadcaster.

Research using information already collected by another person or organisation.

The process of choosing which people, images, words or events to include in a media product and which to leave out.

The selection and construction of a version of an event, person or group through choices about what to include, omit and emphasise.

A system in which an industry or organisation monitors and enforces its own standards rather than relying solely on a statutory regulator.

The construction of an image of oneself through choices about what to show, say and leave out.

The study of signs and how they create and communicate meaning.

The creator or producer of a message in a communication model.

Something that conveys meaning or stands for something else, such as a word, image, sound, object or gesture.

A social position associated with factors such as occupation, education, wealth and status; its representation can also involve speech, behaviour and relationships of power.

The view that identities, roles and expectations are shaped by society, including the media, rather than simply determined by nature.

A view that gendered characteristics, roles and expectations are shaped by society, including the media, rather than determined by nature.

The social circumstances surrounding a media product, including relationships, inequalities and expectations about groups.

Communicating and building connections with other people, including through discussing media or participating in audience communities.

A filmmaking approach concerned with everyday lives and social problems, often using real locations and naturalistic performances.

An audience united by a particular interest, such as a genre, author or fictional world.

An arrangement in which a brand supports or pays a media producer or personality in return for promotional exposure.

An introductory sentence or paragraph, visually distinguished from the main article, which summarises or introduces the story.

Regulation based on laws and legally established powers, rather than only on an industry's voluntary standards.

An oversimplified, recognisable representation that attributes particular characteristics to a social group.

A company controlled by a larger parent company.

A decision about how convincing a claim is, supported by relevant evidence and explanation.

The layering of text or images over other text or images.

Using media to gain knowledge about events, people or the wider world; also called information.