Below are the kinds of points that you might make:
Media Language: you may analyse the extract in terms of media language, for example:
the mise-en-scène of Peel’s tight-fitting black cat-suit costume sexualises her for a male audience
Steed calls out to Peel with the line: ‘Mrs Peel?’ which is a sign of respect and suggests a time when women were referred to by their marital status rather than by their first name
the use of the set-piece fight sequence between two male characters is a convention of the genre
Media Representations: you
may analyse the extract in terms of representation, for example: the inclusion of a strong female lead who uses her intelligence to solve the case challenges stereotypes of men being in control and holding all the power
the obvious sexualisation of Peel through her tight-fitting costume is a common stereotype of the genre
Peel’s need to be untied and saved by Steed supports more traditional gender stereotypes
Steed refers to Peel’s weight, as he unties her, which conforms to the gender stereotype that women should be concerned about their appearance and weight
Media Industries: y
ou may analyse the extract in terms of media industries, for example: the programme is scheduled on primetime Saturday night television
with little competition from other channels
the large budget allows for more sophisticated camerawork and a
range of more interesting locations which would appeal to a wider television audience
post-watershed scheduling allows for under-currents of sexual
tension between the male and female character the post-watershed scheduling also allows for a more sexualised
female character in Peel
Media Audiences: you
may analyse the extract in terms of media audiences, for example: the extract offers the audience entertainment and diversion, e.g. the light-hearted humour of the extract when Peel is freed by Steed versus the suspense of the confrontation between Steed and the blacksmith strong female character could attract a female audience to a genre which had traditionally had a predominantly male audience
Media Contexts: you may analyse the extract in terms of media contexts, for example:
Extended response that makes judgements and draws conclusions changing attitudes to gender representations through the portrayal of Emma Peel reflecting a time in which women were taking on more dominant roles in society and popular culture undermining of the positive female role through the way that Emma Peel is sexually objectified and requires ‘saving’ by Steed
You must make judgements and draw conclusions about how far the extract challenges traditional representations of gender. You may conclude that the extract does or does not challenge traditional representations of gender and are to be rewarded to the extent that they support the judgements through an analysis of relevant examples from the extract in a clear and logically structured line of reasoning.
