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Representation (the theoretical framework)
Quick questions on Identity theory (David Gauntlett) - Eduqas A-Level Media Studies representation
4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is participatory, do-it-yourself media?Show answer
Gauntlett places particular weight on participatory, do-it-yourself media, where audiences make and share their own content. His later work on creativity and making argues that creating media is itself a way of constructing and expressing identity, not just consuming it. This links identity directly to the online and participatory forms studied in Component 2 (and to Shirky and Jenkins on the active audience).
What is judging the freedom?Show answer
The judgement weighs Gauntlett's optimism against the power representations still carry. Hall (stereotyping as power), van Zoonen (the male gaze) and Gilroy (colonial binaries) show that representations can still constrain identity, so the pick-and-mix freedom is real but not total. A top answer holds both: the media offer rich identity resources, but those resources are not neutral.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain what Gauntlett means by the pick and mix relationship with media representations. [5 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Analyse how one set product offers the audience resources for constructing identity. [10 marks]
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