AQA A-level Media Studies -
Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
Semiotics - Answer>> The study of signs
Signifier - Answer>> The signifier is any material thing that
signifies, e.g., words on a page, a facial expression, an image.
The part of the sign that signposts the object (Saussure)
Signified - Answer>> The signified is the concept, the meaning,
the thing indicated by the signifier.
The part of the sign that signposts the associated meaning.
(Saussure)
Iconic sign - Answer>> A sign that looks like its object. Eg. a
picture (Charles Pierce)
Symbolic sign - Answer>> Signs where the relation between
signifier and signified is purely conventional and culturally
specific, e.g., most words.
A sign that refers to an object or concept, but doesn't look like it.
Indexical sign - Answer>> Signs where the signifier is caused
by the signified, e.g., smoke signifies fire.
A sign that offers a clue to the existence of an object or concept.
Deconstruct - Answer>> To break down the various
components in a media text to explain how it was constructed.
, Denotation - Answer>> To identify what the media text is in a
simple, generally agreed interpretation. The literal meaning.
(Barthes)
Connotation - Answer>> The possible meaning to a text.
(Interpretations may vary)
An idea that is implied or suggested
Paradigm - Answer>> A set of units/signs/codes.
Eg. The alphabet is a paradigm set of 26 units (letters).
Syntagm - Answer>> A chain of units/signs/codes selected from
paradigm sets, assembled in a specific order to create new
meaning.
Eg. A word is a chain of units selected from the alphabet that are
put together in an order that creates new meaning.
Metonym - Answer>> Part of a media text shown to represent
the whole.
Eg. A closeup of a woman's eye represents the whole woman.
Anchorage - Answer>> The placing of a code to a text to
anchor the meaning. This will reduce polysemy.
Polysemy - Answer>> Many meanings
Montage - Answer>> A compilation of clips in film or images in
photography.
Comprehensive Exam Study Guide
Semiotics - Answer>> The study of signs
Signifier - Answer>> The signifier is any material thing that
signifies, e.g., words on a page, a facial expression, an image.
The part of the sign that signposts the object (Saussure)
Signified - Answer>> The signified is the concept, the meaning,
the thing indicated by the signifier.
The part of the sign that signposts the associated meaning.
(Saussure)
Iconic sign - Answer>> A sign that looks like its object. Eg. a
picture (Charles Pierce)
Symbolic sign - Answer>> Signs where the relation between
signifier and signified is purely conventional and culturally
specific, e.g., most words.
A sign that refers to an object or concept, but doesn't look like it.
Indexical sign - Answer>> Signs where the signifier is caused
by the signified, e.g., smoke signifies fire.
A sign that offers a clue to the existence of an object or concept.
Deconstruct - Answer>> To break down the various
components in a media text to explain how it was constructed.
, Denotation - Answer>> To identify what the media text is in a
simple, generally agreed interpretation. The literal meaning.
(Barthes)
Connotation - Answer>> The possible meaning to a text.
(Interpretations may vary)
An idea that is implied or suggested
Paradigm - Answer>> A set of units/signs/codes.
Eg. The alphabet is a paradigm set of 26 units (letters).
Syntagm - Answer>> A chain of units/signs/codes selected from
paradigm sets, assembled in a specific order to create new
meaning.
Eg. A word is a chain of units selected from the alphabet that are
put together in an order that creates new meaning.
Metonym - Answer>> Part of a media text shown to represent
the whole.
Eg. A closeup of a woman's eye represents the whole woman.
Anchorage - Answer>> The placing of a code to a text to
anchor the meaning. This will reduce polysemy.
Polysemy - Answer>> Many meanings
Montage - Answer>> A compilation of clips in film or images in
photography.
