1. Pomo Revision Tips
Section B: Postmodernism

2. Must include…..
• Range of contemporary texts
• 2 media platforms
• 2 theorists

3. Texts you should know
1) Dove sketches advert (advertising)
2) Elnett hairspray (advertising)
3) black mirror - 15 million merits (TV drama and online/internet)
4) black mirror - be right back (TV drama and online/internet)
5) black mirror - the entire history of you (TV drama and online/internet)
6) catfish (Reality TV/documentary hybrid)
7) X-factor (Reality TV (bricolage)/drama/documentary/game show hybrid)
8) big brother, (dead set - optional)........could also do TOWIE/made in chelsea
(reality TV)
9) some of the films on the handout! (cinema)
10) online videos (parodies such as ‘harlem shake’ or any parody (or miley
cyrus parody) (online/internet)
11) video games such as grand theft auto (optional) (video games)
Red = must know Green = optional

4. Remember the pomo features

5. Styles of questions
• Definitions of postmodernism (in relation to media products and media audiences).
• What are the different versions of post-modernism (historical period, style, theoretical approach)?
• The difference between postmodern media and traditional media.
• What are the arguments for and against understanding some forms of media as post-modern?
• In what ways do media audiences and industries operate differently in a post-modern world?
• The impact of postmodern media on audiences and the ways in which we think about texts.
• How do post-modern media texts challenge traditional text-reader relations and the concept of representation?
• In what ways do media audiences and industries operate differently in a post-modern world?
• How do post-modern media texts challenge traditional text-reader relations and the concept of representation?
• Debates about postmodernism and whether it is really a useful theory or not.
• Examples of media products which you think can be, or have been defined as postmodern, and the reasons for
them being analysed in this way.

6. Essay Question Checklist
• Definition (elements)
• Different versions
• Comparison between pomo/traditional
• How pomo texts challenge traditional text reader relations
and concept of representation
• How audiences & industries operate differently in pomo world
• Impact on audience
• Arguments for/against (debates) – useful theory?
You will have choice of 2 questions, answer 1

7. Past paper Questions
DATE EXAM QUESTION
Jan 10 What is meant by ‘postmodern media’?
Explain why the idea of ‘postmodern media’ might be considered controversial.
June 10 Why are some media products described as ‘postmodern’?
“Postmodern media blur the boundary between reality and representation”. Discuss this idea with
reference to media texts you have studied.
Jan 11 Explain why certain kinds of media can be defined as postmodern.
Discuss why some people are not convinced by the idea of postmodern media.
June 11 How do postmodern media differ from other media?
How far do you accept the idea of postmodernism?
Jan 12 “Postmodern media manipulate time and space.” To what extend does this definition apply to texts
you have studied?
Define postmodern media with examples.
June 12 Assess the arguments for and against postmodernism, in relation to media examples.
“Postmodern media break the rules of representation.” Discuss.
Jan 13 “All contemporary media is postmodern.” Discuss this statement in relation to examples you have
studied.
Evaluate theories of postmodernism in relation to media.
June 13 Provide your definition of postmodern media and support it with examples.
To what extent do postmodern media challenge the relationship between text and audience?

8. Revision tip 1
• Write out the texts (bullet points/mind maps
etc)
• List how/why pomo (question 1)
• List pro’s/con’s / for/against
• Relate to 2 theorists

9. By text example
Black Mirror
(15 million merits)
Dystopia
-
-
-
Intertextuality
-
-
-
Pro’s / advantages
-
Media platforms
-online/internet
-
-
-
Baurillard (theory)
-
-
-
Focault (theory)
-
-

10. By text example – Black Mirror
BLACK MIRROR Dystopia Focault theory Flattening of
affect
Ep 1 ..…. ..…. ..….
Ep 2 …… ..…. ..….
Ep 3 …… ..…. ..….

11. Revision tip 2
• Write out the pomo features (bullet
points/mind maps etc)
• List how/why pomo (question 1)
• List pro’s/con’s / for/against
• Relate to 2 theorists

12. Writing the essays is revision
Revision Task How much % will you
remember?
Reading notes
Writing notes
Discussing/teaching
Do it (write essay)
( & drafting)

13. Writing the essays is revision
Revision Task How much % will you
remember?
Reading notes 10%
Writing notes 20%
Discussing/teaching
(study group)
60-70%
Do it (write essay)
( & drafting)
90%

14. Essay plans
1 2
Intro:
Body paragraph 1:
-bullet point
-bullet point
-bullet point
Body paragraph 2:
-bullet point
-bullet point
-bullet point
Body paragraph 3:
-bullet point
-bullet point
-bullet point
Intro:
PEAL 1:
-P: _______
-E: _______
-A: _______
L: _______
PEAL 2:
-P: _______
-E: _______
-A: _______
L: _______
PEAL 3:
-P: _______
-E: _______
-A: _______
L: _______

15. Basic essay structure (question 1)
How/why are pomo texts pomo
1
Pomo features
2
Texts
Pomo feature 1 – (compare between texts)
**PEAL**
Pomo feature 2 – (compare between texts)
Pomo feature 3 – (compare between texts)
Pomo feature 4 – (compare between texts)
*comparison between texts
Text 1– (all features that make it pomo)
**PEAL**
Text 2– (all features that make it pomo)
Text 3– (all features that make it pomo)
Text 4– (all features that make it pomo)
*limited comparison
-if why: must give context
-could compare to other media if you want

16. Basic essay structure (for/against)
Pros/cons of pomo / For/against pomo
1
Pros then cons
2
Texts
1
Pomo features
Pros reason 1 – (compare
between texts / features)
**PEAL**
Pros reason 2 – (compare
between texts/ features)
Pros reason 3 – (compare
between texts/ features)
Cons reason 1 – (compare
between texts/ features)
Cons reason 2 – (compare
between texts/ features)
Cons reason 3 – (compare
between texts/ features)
*no comparison of pro/con
Text 1– (comparison of pros/cons &
features)
**PEAL**
Text 2– (comparison of pros/cons &
features)
Text 3– (comparison of pros/cons &
features)
Text 4– (comparison of pros/cons &
features)
*limited comparison
Pomo feature 1 – (comparison
of pros/cons & features)
**PEAL**
Pomo feature 2 – (comparison of
pros/cons & features)
Pomo feature 3 – (comparison of
pros/cons & features)
Pomo feature 4 (comparison of
pros/cons & features)
*comparison between texts

17. Homework
• Revision notes
• 2 essays:
– 1) Why are some media products described as
‘postmodern’?
– 2) Assess the arguments for and against
postmodernism, in relation to media examples.
*Can bring extra essays to revision session (I’ll mark
anything extra)