Key Aspects of Media Studies: Content and Categories

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key aspects of media content categories, including medium, form, genre, style, tone, and purpose.

Medium

Refers to the individual channel used to communicate, serving as the singular form of 'media'.

Media (General Definition)

The plural of medium (communication) that generally relates to broadcast, print, and online media.

Media (Browne K., 2020 Definition)

The technology, organisations and products involved with communication with large mass audiences without any face-to-face personal contact (Browne K. (2020) p. 498).

Categories (in Media Studies)

The content-based key aspect in media studies referring to Medium, Form, Genre, Purpose, Style, and Tone.

Medium and Form

The concept referring to the way that media content is both presented to an audience and categorised.

Form

The specific format or output through which a medium delivers content (e.g., if the medium is print, the form could be a newspaper, poster, or magazine).

Genre

Recognisable and repeated traits (specific to the form) that allow media content to be classified.

Genre Creation

The process of forming genres through different narrative types and representations, created using cultural codes or form-specific language codes.

Genre Classification Factors

Criteria used to classify genres, including narrative structure, setting, themes, tone, target audience, and production size.

Sub-genres

Combined genre classifications created by merging two or more genres, such as docudrama, romantic-comedy, or action-comedy.

Style

The practical and aesthetic choices (such as hand-held camera work, use of non-actors, minimal scripting, and real settings) that determine the tone of a piece of media.

Tone

An aspect closely linked to genre that communicates how the writers feel about the subject or content (e.g., upbeat/informal vs. serious/formal).

Purpose

The primary objective of media content, which may include meeting audience needs (inform/educate/entertain), achieving an institutional purpose (profit/promote/public service), or influencing attitudes and behaviour.