Media Language Terminology

Question 1

Anchorage

Answer 1

The text that fixes an image and its meaning

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

The character whose function it is to disrupt the protagonist - usually a villain

Question 3

Archetype

Answer 3

An original on which many copies are based. Often used in relation to characters in fictional works.
Character archetypes include examples such as the rebel, the mother figure, the villain.

Question 4

Binary opposition

Answer 4

The contrast between two ideas or concepts.

Usually the contrast causes conflict that drives the narrative.

Question 5

Brand

Answer 5

A type of product that is manufactured and marketed under a particular name, logo and design.

Question 6

By-line

Answer 6

The printed line of text in a newspaper/magazine that names the writer of an article.

Question 7

Code

Answer 7

A communication system which includes signs, rules and shared understanding.
Eg: the English language, non-verbal codes, print codes and editing codes.

Question 8

Colour palette

Answer 8

The suite of colours that are used in the creation of media texts, such as websites and magazines, to reflect a brand and appeal to its audience.

Question 9

Connotation

Answer 9

The meanings of a sign or media product that are inferred. These are often the deeper or underlying meanings.

Question 10

Cover Price

Answer 10

The price printed on the cover of a printed media text.

Question 11

Cross-head

Answer 11

Words used as a title or sub-heading to break up text in a newspaper or magazine.

Question 12

Cross-cut

Answer 12

An editing technique used to establish that action is occurring at the same time.

Question 13

Conventions

Answer 13

Established rules or shared understandings used in the creation of media products.
Conventions are likely to be taken for granted as ‘the way we do things’ rather than formally written down

Question 14

Copy

Answer 14

The written material, as opposed to images, that features in a media text.

Question 15

Cut

Answer 15

A simple editing technique. One shot ends and another begins, with no transitions or effects added.

Question 16

Date line

Answer 16

A line that shows the date that a media publication/article was written/first published.

Question 17

Desktop Publishing

DTP

Answer 17

Desktop Publishing software allows the user to create printed media texts with various page layouts and designs

Question 18

Digital platform

Answer 18

Digital media is any media that can be created, viewed and distributed digital devices.

Question 19

Diegetic sound

Answer 19

Actual sound from the world of the film, whether on or off screen. (Has a source on screen)

Question 20

Non-diegetic sound

Answer 20

Sound that is neither on the screen or features in the ‘world of the film’.
Typically, non-diegetic sound will be sound effects or background music added to create mood and atmosphere.

Question 21

Editing

Answer 21

A post-production technique – any arranging, revising and preparing of written, audio or video content to get the piece ready for audience consumption.

Question 22

Editorial

Answer 22

An article in a newspaper or magazine that expresses an opinion on a topical issue.

Question 23

Enigma

Answer 23

A question, mystery or clue that is not immediately resolved which draws the audience in.

Question 24

Flashback

Answer 24

A scene in a moving image that is set in an earlier time than the main story.

Question 25

Font

Answer 25

The style and size of text characters on the printed page or screen.

Question 26

Genre

Answer 26

A style or category of a media form.

Question 27

Headline

Answer 27

The text at the top of a page or article in a newspaper or article, indicating what the content is to the reader.

Question 28

Intertextuality

Answer 28

Often media texts make references to other texts and popular culture to interest and engage the audience.

Question 29

Logo

Answer 29

The visual image used to identify a product, brand or company.

Question 30

Masthead

Answer 30

A publication’s name or title in a distinctive form usually placed at the top of the front page or cover page.

Question 31

Message

Answer 31

The expected reading that the audience takes from a media text.

Question 32

Mise-en-scene

Answer 32

Literally ‘everything that is in the shot/scene’ in a single frame. This is what helps the audience to gain meaning from a scene.

Question 33

Narrative

Answer 33

The way in which a story or sequence of events is put together in a media text. All media texts have some sort of narrative running through them.

Question 34

Semiotics

Answer 34

The use and study of sign, sign systems and their meanings. Also known as semiology

Question 35

Sign

Answer 35

Anything that expresses meaning is a sign. Examples include written or spoken words, an image, a sound, a gesture or an item of clothing.

Question 36

Slogan

Answer 36

A catchy, eye-catching and memorable phrase, often used in advertising

Question 37

Strapline

Answer 37

A cross-column subheading, usually found in newspapers, magazines and websites, that emphasises part of an article or advert.

Question 38

Storyboard

Answer 38

A visual representation and plan of how a moving image scene will be shot. Typically includes a sketch of each frame, camera movements, edits and timing, etc.

Question 39

Teaser

Answer 39

A form of trailer that ‘teases’ the audience about a forthcoming film.