Question 1: Define the term 'audience' in the context of media studies.

Answer: An audience is the group of people who consume or engage with a media text, such as a TV show, film, or social media content.

Question 2: Explain what is meant by the 'Passive Audience' theory and name one media theorist associated with this idea.

Answer: The Passive Audience theory suggests that viewers are uncritical and easily influenced by media messages, accepting what they see without question. One theorist associated with this idea is Harold Lasswell.

Question 3: Describe the key difference between the 'Active Audience' and the 'Passive Audience' theories.

Answer: The Active Audience theory sees viewers as capable of interpreting and responding to media messages in different ways, actively engaging with content. The Passive Audience theory sees viewers as passively accepting media messages without critical thought.

Question 4: Identify and briefly explain two ways media producers might target different audiences.

Answer: They might tailor content to specific age groups by including relevant themes or language, and they may use different advertising channels (like social media or TV) to reach different demographic groups.

Question 5: Imagine you are designing a new poster for a teenage audience. Describe three features you would include to appeal to this group.

Answer: Bright and bold colors, trending slang or language, and imagery of popular youth culture or celebrities.

Question 6: Draw a simple diagram illustrating the 'Hypodermic Needle' theory of media influence. Label each part of the diagram clearly.

Answer: A diagram showing a media source (like a TV or newspaper) directly injecting messages into an passive audience, represented by arrows pointing toward a figure labeled 'Audience.'

Question 7: Sketch a representation of how an 'Active Audience' might interpret a media text differently from another person. Use symbols or annotations to explain your drawing.

Answer: A large blank sketch space where students illustrate two figures viewing the same media text but responding differently, with speech bubbles or notes indicating different interpretations or reactions.

Question 8: Choose one media example (e.g., a popular TV show, social media platform) and explain how its audience might be active in interpreting its content.

Answer: For example, viewers of a TV show might discuss and debate its themes online, interpret characters’ actions differently, or create fan content, actively engaging with the show beyond just watching.

Question 9: Reflect on a recent media experience where your interpretation of a media message was different from a friend’s. What does this suggest about audience reception?

Answer: It suggests that audiences interpret media texts in diverse ways based on personal experiences, beliefs, and context, supporting the idea that audiences are active and varied in their reception.