Media Language

Texts - Media Language

You will consider the way in which a text is constructed to create meaning for a viewer.

• Key words: Connotations. Semiotics. Context.

L/O: Develop your analytical skills in examining symbols for what they mean.

Denotation: What is actually in the image

Connotation: What the actual image means (hidden meaning)

Always think of the following process when you are about to analyse an image:

Image

Denotation

What do you see in the image?

Connotation

What do you think the denotation of the image means?

Signification

How and what meaning is it communicating?

Here are some other words that are important when it comes to image analysis:

Signification: How the image communicates meaning

Semiotics The study of signs and symbols

In media studies the first thing we must do is look at what is in the image.

This is called denotation.

Then we must look at what the image actually means.

This is called connotation.

Only then we can say what the image signifies by referring to the signs and symbols being used, they are called semiotics.