December mock revision and preparation - Paper 2

Your December mock exam is a great opportunity to practice a full 90-minute exam and revise some of the CSPs we have studied so far. 

Your December exam will be one full Paper 2 (Television and Online, Social and Participatory Media). Below is a full guide to what you need to revise for each section of the exam.   

Know your exam

One of the most important aspects of preparing for examinations is knowing exactly what topics could come up and where. For your December exam, this is what will come up:

December mock exam - Tuesday 16th December

Section A: Television

• Short extract from either Doctor Who – An Unearthly Child (1963) or His Dark Materials – The City of Magpies (2020).
• The extract will be shown twice and you can make notes. There will then be three questions on the extract (2 marks, 8 marks, 12 marks).
• The final question is a 20-mark essay on BOTH of your TV Close-Study Products.
• The TV index with links to all original blogposts is here.

Section B: Online, Social and Participatory Media

• Short 2-mark question on media terminology.
• Two 20-mark essays on Online, Social and Participatory Media - celebrities/influencers Marcus Rashford and Kim Kardashian. 
• This is what we're studying now and these posts can be found on the main Year 2 Media blog. For example, OSP Language and Representation is here.

Your real Paper 2 in the summer may have questions on Newspapers in Section B. However, these will not appear in your December mock exam as we have not studied the topic yet.

How to revise

Revision is a very personal thing and everyone has different techniques. Personally, I strongly recommend using flash cards (they are often called record cards if you are trying to buy them online or in WHSmiths). The simple act of distilling topics into a few key words or phrases to put on the card will seriously help in remembering the key information in the final exams. I have spare flash cards in DF07 if you'd like some. Media students in the past have created three sets of revision cards:

• Media terminology
• Media theory
• CSPs

The two topics you need to focus on particularly in December are:

• Television
• OSP - Influencers, Rashford and Kardashian

Good luck with your revision and give this mock exam your best shot!

Due date on Satchel One

Preliminary Exercise Feedback and Learner Response

The preliminary exercise is a brilliant opportunity to learn the basics of filmmaking/print before creating your actual coursework project.

You now need to create a blogpost called 'Preliminary exercise learner response' and complete the following tasks as your feedback and learner response:

1) Type up your teacher's feedback in full. If you've received your feedback via email, you can simply cut and paste it from the email into your blog.

2) Using a combination of your own reflection on the preliminary exercise and the feedback you were given, write two WWW bullet points (What Went Well) and two Next Step bullet points for your preliminary exercise. 

3) What have you learned from the preliminary exercise that will help you in the actual coursework project? List three things you have learned or will do differently as a result of this exercise. You may want to comment on organisation, actors, filming, editing or something else entirely but be specific.

Coursework: Statement of Intent

The first 10 marks of our coursework are for a written Statement of Intent.

This is simply a Word or Google Document in which we write what we are planning to make for our coursework. Your completed summer project will give you most of the information you need for this - particularly the planning section - but you may have changed or developed your idea since the summer. Your preliminary exercise learner response may also help you consider what you plan to create for your real coursework production.

Our coursework brief for 2026 can be found here - remember you need to choose either video or print adverts.

The Statement of Intent word count is 300 words - you can go slightly above this if you want to but you need to keep it close to 300.

This Statement of Intent guidance will help you if you're not sure what to write - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access it. The most important thing is that you cover media language, representations and the target audience in your Statement of Intent. 

Another tip is that you can use subheadings and bullet points in your Statement of Intent - it doesn't need to all be in paragraphs. In fact, bullet points are very useful for keeping the word count down. 

Finally, here is an example statement of intent from a previous year - note this was a different brief but the layout and use of media terminology and theory may help you. 

Here's the Statement of Intent mark scheme: 

Statement of Intent: task

1) Write your Statement of Intent on a Word or Google Doc - word count 300 words. Use this Statement of Intent guidance document to help you.

Submit your Statement of Intent to your teacher by emailing them the Word or Google Document. 

Due date: on Satchel One

Year 11 Paper 1 baseline assessment: Learner response

The Paper 1 baseline assessment was a great opportunity to revise some of the content from last year and develop our exam technique. 

Every time we do a paper like this it helps us to learn how the questions are structured, how to answer social and cultural context questions and how to manage our time.

We now need to complete a learner response to the assessment to help reflect on what we are learning and how we can improve our exam technique. You may find reading the mark scheme useful for reflecting on these exams - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access these documents:

• Year 11 assessment - Paper 1 mark scheme

Year 11 Paper 1 assessment: Learner Response

Create a blogpost called 'Paper 1 baseline assessment learner response'.

1) Type up your feedback:

a. What Mark and Grade did you get?

b. What targets were you given for the longer written questions?

2) Look at the mark scheme for this assessment. For Question 2 (12 mark unseen) use the indicative content in the mark scheme to identify three points that you could have referred to in your answer.

3) For Question 3 (Galaxy - narrative features) use the mark scheme to write down the main narrative theories and how we can link them to the Galaxy advert CSP. 

4) Now look at Question 4 - Tatler and social/cultural contexts. Use the mark scheme to identify three points you could have made in your answer here.

5) On Section B, focus on Question 7 - film industry and Black Widow. Use the mark scheme to identify three ways Black Widow was marketed to its audience.

6) Finally, write down three things you are going to work on before your next mock exam in December (e.g. time management; revising CSPs etc.)

If you don't finish this LR in the lesson your papers are returned, complete for homework - due date on Satchel One

Accountability Check: Coursework Checklist

As we all know by now, the 2025/26 Media Studies coursework deadlines are fast approaching and it is therefore incredibly important that we stay on top of everything that we ned to accomplish in time for deadline day.

Below you will find two checklist tables; one for print and one for video.

Task: On a new blogpost titled 'Coursework Checklist', you are to copy over the table that applies to you and your coursework selection before changing the colours of the corresponding boxes to show which tasks you have made progress on, and which you are still yet to begin/complete.

To keep things simple, we'll stick to the obvious colour choices to represent how far along we are on each item:

Completed = Green

In Progress/Partially Done = Orange

Not Started Yet = Red

Print Table:

Item	Progress
Statement of Intent (Max. 300 Words)
Front Cover
Title for the Magazine w/ Original Masthead Design
Selling Line
Cover Price
Dateline
Main Original Cover Image
Min. Four Cover Lines
Double Page Spread
Headline
Standfirst
Subheadings
Original Article (350-400 Words) that Links to Headline
Main Original Image (Different to Cover Image)
Min. Three Smaller Original Images

Music Video Table:

Item	Progress
Statement of Intent (Max. 300 Words)
Min. Two Filming Locations
A Clear Narrative/Story
Min. Two Characters (Including a Protagonist)
Variety of Camera Shots, Angles and Movements
Diegetic sound (which could include but is not restricted to dialogue, Foley sound and ambience /atmosphere).
Non-diegetic sound (which must include but is not restricted to music).
Use of narrative codes and media language to attract and engage the audience.
Editing of the footage, soundtrack and dialogue to establish meaning.
Use of titles and/or graphics to reinforce the message of the video.

Your teachers will be reminding you to update this whenever necessary, but a big part of this checklist is keeping you accountable for the progress or lack thereof that you are making on your own coursework.

Year 11 Media Assessment: Revision and Preparation

Year 11 assessment week is coming up before the next set of interims. As we're focused on coursework currently, we are going to give you a mini-Paper 1 assessment to help revise content from last year.

Your assessment will be similar to the exam you did at the end of last year but this time will focus on Paper 1. Your exact date will depend on the timetable as these assessments are in-class. Your Media teacher will be able to tell you when your assessment will run.  

Below is a full guide to what you need to revise for this assessment.   

Know your exams

One of the most important aspects of preparing for examinations is knowing exactly what topics could come up in each exam. For your Paper 1 assessment, this is what might come up:

Paper 1

Paper 1 Section A: Language and Representation

• Unseen text: advert, social media screengrab or music promotion of some kind. Multiple choice questions plus media language analysis (12 marks). 
• Advertising & Marketing: OMO advert, Galaxy Audrey Hepburn advert and the NHS Represent blood donation campaign. 
• Magazines: Tatler and Heat.

Paper 1 Section B: Audience and Industry

• Media Industries / Audience questions - media terminology / theory / regulation etc. (2 marks).
• Film Industry: Black Widow and I, Daniel Blake. 
• Music Video: BLACKPINK - How You Like That and Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor.
• Radio: Launch of BBC Radio 1 - Tony Blackburn, Kiss FM Breakfast with Jordan and Perri.

Your real Paper 1 exam will also contain a 20-mark essay on either Film, Radio, Music Video, Newspapers or Videogames/Online, Social and Participatory Media but this will not be part of this assessment as it is only half the full exam. 

Paper 2

You will not be taking Paper 2 as part of this assessment but we will take on a full 90-minute Paper 2 as part of the December mock exams. More details on that nearer the time!  

How to revise

Revision is a very personal thing and everyone has different techniques. Personally, I strongly recommend using flash cards (they are often called record cards if you are trying to buy them online or in WHSmiths). The simple act of distilling topics into a few key words or phrases to put on the card will seriously help in remembering the key information in the final exams. We recommend having three sections to your revision cards:

1. Media terminology and key words
2. Media theories
3. CSPs

I have spare flash cards in DF07 if you'd like some.  

Good luck with your revision and give this assessment your best shot!

Coursework: Preliminary Exercise 2025 - Print

The first aspect of your GCSE Media Studies coursework is a preliminary exercise that introduces the basics of writing, photography and editing.

This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know the technical skills you will need to excel in your coursework. You may even create a piece of print media that you can end up using as part of your actual coursework!

Preliminary exercise: Celebrity Gossip Magazine
Your preliminary exercise involves creating and editing a front cover and single page spread - similar to your coursework. The magazine needs to be appropriate to the print brief we have been given in terms of content and target audience. 

The magazine must include:

Front cover: Title for the magazine and original masthead design; Selling line; Cover price; Dateline; Main original cover image; At least four cover lines.

Single page spread: Headline, standfirst and subheadings; Original story for single page feature

(approx. 350–400 words) that links to one of the cover lines on the front cover; Main original image (different from that used on the front cover) plus at least three smaller original images.

Both: Clear brand and house style for the magazine, including use of images, colour palette and

fonts.

Key writing and editing skills

Watch this great introduction to article writing - it covers the basics of the creative process:

Magazine examples

Here's a reminder of some magazines you can use as inspiration for your preliminary exercise:

Preliminary exercise tasks: Celebrity Gossip Magazine

Task: Create a front cover and single page spread - similar to your coursework. The magazine needs to be appropriate to the brief we have been given in terms of content and target audience. 

Length: approximately 350-400 words

Equipment: Smart phone or a school camera (limited numbers available); school computers/home computers Note: you may need to bring in the cable to capture the videos from your phone or use data to upload to Google Drive / iCloud.

Groups: None. You MUST work individually. However, other people can appear in your photos or operate equipment (e.g. camera) as long as they are directed by the candidate submitting the work. You may want to get into groups of two or three to help each other complete this task.

What your magazine needs to include:

Content: 

- A front cover and single page feature for a new celebrity gossip magazine, aimed at an audience demographic of NRS social grades C2DE.

- The double page feature must focus on a celebrity influencer who is launching their new book. - - The book is about making positive lifestyle changes.

- Two pages in total, including at least three original images.

Camerawork:

- You must include at least two unique shots but you will hopefully include much more from a wide variety of shot types (e.g. long shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up, over-the-shoulder shot and either a high or low angle shot.

Features:

Front cover

• Title for the magazine and original masthead design

• Selling line

• Cover price

• Dateline

• Main original cover image

• At least four cover lines.

Single page spread

• Headline, standfirst and subheadings

• Original article for single page feature (approx. 350–400 words) that links to one of the cover lines on the front cover

• Main original image (different from that used on the front cover) plus at least two smaller original images.

Deadlines

Planning and filming: This week's lessons.

Editing and final deadline: Next week.

Specific deadlines: see Google Classroom.


Initial Tasks: planning

Before creating anything in Media you need to plan out exactly what you are going to do. You need to complete the following planning tasks on your blog before you can film anything:

Create a blogpost called 'Coursework preliminary exercise' and produce the following.

1) Write a 100 word statement of intent explaining what you are going to make for your preliminary exercise.

Statement of intent: 100 words explaining what you plan to make.

Example statement of intent [199 words]: 

I plan to produce a two-page spread for a magazine focusing on a celebrity's recent fashion choices and lifestyle. The article will analyse a well-known figure's style evolution, from their early red-carpet appearances to their current, more refined looks.

The first page will feature a large, high-quality photograph of the celebrity in a recent, iconic outfit. The accompanying text will provide a brief introduction and an overview of the celebrity's fashion journey. I'll use a clean, modern font for the headlines and body text to give the spread a sophisticated feel.

The second page will break down specific elements of the celebrity's current style. I'll include a series of smaller photos, each highlighting a different outfit or accessory, such as a handbag or a pair of sunglasses. The text will offer insights into the designer brands they favour, and I'll add some quotes from fashion experts or the celebrity themselves to make the content more engaging. The page will end with a "get the look" section, offering readers affordable alternatives to some of the showcased items. The overall tone will be informative and aspirational, allowing readers to feel connected to the celebrity's world while also providing practical style advice. [199 words]

2) Write an outline for your preliminary exercise on your blog. This needs to include talking points and photo lists. To see how a magazine is presented, and to look at professional examples, check out the following link which gives lot of tips and tricks on how to layout and plan your magazine.

3) Casting: Who will be in your magazine?

4) Plan your locations: Where you will shoot your preliminary exercise? (You can take photos off-site if you wish to do this for homework - this is what we would strongly recommend). Important note: You CANNOT take any students out of any other lessons OR disturb any other lessons in the school. If you wish to take shots in-school then you will need to shoot with Mr Ray supervising or after school with a Media teacher present. 

5) Write your shot list: every shot you plan to film. This needs to be far MORE shots than you will actually use in the final edited version - plan extra angles, close-ups, long shots and more. You can find an example shot list here. This is for a narrative film but the layout will be the same. 

Your planning needs to be completed this week. Good luck!