Representation

What is a respresentation?
1. PEOPLE
2. PLACES
3. EVENTS
Representation - defined
1. To represent something is to describe or depict it,
to call it up in the mind by description or
portrayal…..; to place a likeness of it before us in
our mind.

2. To represent also means to symbolise, stand for,

to be a specimen of or to substitute for; as in the
sentence, “In Christianity, the cross represents the
suffering and crucifixion of Christ.”
Media text are a construction of reality, and
play an important role in constructing it for
the rest of us.

Reality is therefore subject to mediation

which is the process whereby an institution
or individual or technology comes in between
an event that has occurred in the real world
and the audience that perceive it.
 Write down four ideas, words and/or
images about:

1. Images of Africa Now write down FOUR ideas

you think the people who have
2. Images of Scotland
not been to the UK would say
3. Images of Pakistan about the factors below:
4. Images of Spain 1. British People
5. Images about the UK. 2. British weather
3. British food
 10 minutes 4. British lifestyle
Technical – how the camera is used, the
lighting , the shot types the editing
Symbolic-the visual elements and their
cultural significance; body language,
colour and gestures
Written- the written codes; words,
headlines, speech bubbles etc.
What is a stereotype?
Why would the media use stereotypes?
Are all stereotypes negative?
Messages have to be communicated
quickly which often means relying on
stereotypes. Stereotypes work as a kind
of short-hand where a word, image or
sound will stand for a lot more

A stereotype is a standardised, usually

oversimplified mental picture or attitude held
commonly by a group of people towards a person,
group, place or event.
Stereotypes act like codes that give
audiences a quick, common
understanding of a person or group of
people—usually relating to their class,
ethnicity or race, gender, sexual
orientation, social role or occupation
 Men Women
strong passive
Intelligent emotional
You decide what you think
are the dominant and
Alternative representations
Of women.

Remember: representations
Change with time and with
cultrure