Home > Subjects > English > English level 3 > 3.4 Visual or oral text > Subject content > Television
- Subject: English
- AS: 90723
- Level: 3
- Credits: 3
- External
3.4 Respond critically to oral or visual text studied
Television
Over the course of several episodes of a television programme it is possible to see characters and themes develop and emerge from the text. Any number of settings, characters, complications, issues, subplots and twists may be added to highlight central ideas in the programme. A television programme is crafted so that every production technique works together to present and support the writer's ideas and purpose in an interesting and appropriate way. It is important that your study and critical response of the television programme is very thorough and detailed, or your understanding of the roles of the director and the viewer.
Your chosen text must be made specifically for television, not the big screen and demonstrate depth and literary qualities at this level. Such programmes may include series such as: documentary, soap, sit com, drama; or films made for television.
In the examination you must discuss at least TWO episodes of a television programme you have studied. In addition to all the major aspects of literature, examination questions may ask you to focus on the characteristics of the television genre, how television production techniques such as camera work, lighting, music, point of view, or structure have been used to present ideas convincingly in the text.
Key points to study for a television programme
- The purpose, genre, and quality of the programme.
- The influence and role of the director.
- Production techniques such as camera angles, special effects, sound, and music used to develop and shape understanding of atmosphere, characterisation, and theme.
- Visual language techniques such as acting, gesture and use of props.
- The role/perception/manipulation of the audience.
- Juxtaposition and scene transitions used to support structure, format, and sequencing of the text.
Websites to look at:
- Analysing a moving image text (PDF 50KB)
- Shows A–Z TV 1
- Shows A–Z TV 2
- The Encyclopedia of Television
