Exam 1 Review PDF

Test Format 1. 10 multiple choice and fill in the blanks questions (20%) a. (some questions will be worth more than 1 point) 2. Four short answer questions (10 points each: 40%) a. Each question should have a minimum of 4-5 sentences. 3. 1 Essay question (from a choice of 3) 40 points: 40%) a. Your...

Test Format 1. 10 multiple choice and fill in the blanks questions (20%) a. (some questions will be worth more than 1 point) 2. Four short answer questions (10 points each: 40%) a. Each question should have a minimum of 4-5 sentences. 3. 1 Essay question (from a choice of 3) 40 points: 40%) a. Your short essay should have a minimum of 4-5 paragraphs and have a word could of about 200-250 words, which is basically a page and a half if it was typed out. Terms and concepts that you should be able to define and explain 1. metonymy → a figure of speech where something is referred to by the name of something closely related to it, instead of its actual name. (example, saying "the White House" because "the White House" is used to represent the President or the government) 2. Metaphor → a figure of speech where one thing is said to be something else, even though it’s not literally true. (example, "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from us, even though time isn’t actually a thief.) 3. Analogy → figure of speech or a logical reasoning device that shows how two different things are similar in certain respects 4. text → Text is permanent and can be continually revisited and re-read. 5. narrative → refers to how the sequence of events is organized into a story with a particular structure 6. story → the chronological sequence of events that are behind the narrative 7. plot → refers to the shaping of the story into a logical structure that shows a causal connection between those elements 8. Ego → is a character's sense of self-importance or identity. It’s how they see themselves and how much they care about their own value or image. 9. Id → part of a person's mind that drives basic, instinctual desires and urges. It's all about what we want right now, without thinking about consequences. 10. Superego → the part of a person's mind that helps them follow rules, morals, and societal expectations. It’s like a conscience, telling you what’s right and wrong, and making you feel guilty if you do something bad. 11. discourse → how a story is being told and articulates how the way in which a story is being told impacts the meaning of that story 12. storyworld → the real or imaginary environments in which the action of the narrative takes place 13. reader response theory → focuses on the reader's role in the creation of meaning in a text 14. Berger’s five focal points for communicating texts → text, audience, artist, entity and medium 15. Rhetoric → refers to the strategies used by creators to persuade, inform, or evoke emotions in the audience. 16. Cropping → removing or cutting out parts of an image, frame, or scene 17. Juxtaposition → when two things are placed next to each other to highlight their differences or contrasts. It helps show how they are different, which can make a point or create an interesting effect. 18. Montage →the joining together of different pieces of film stock in the post production 19. implied audience →the group of people a story or message seems to be directed toward, based on how it is created, even though that audience may not be explicitly mentioned or directly addressed. 20. semiology → the study of signs and the structures that are used to organize these signs into meaningful systems 21. Langue → a term from linguistics, referring to the structured system of language that everyone in a particular community shares. It includes rules like grammar, vocabulary, and syntax (how sentences are formed). (the general structure of the language, like English grammar and vocabulary.) 22. Signifier → a term from linguistics that refers to the word, symbol, or sound used to represent something. It's one part of a larger system called the "sign," where the signifier is the form (like a word or image), and the signified is the concept or idea it represents. (example, In the word "cat," the signifier is the word "cat" -the sound or written letters). 23. Diachronic → refers to studying something over time, looking at how it changes or evolves. In language, diachronic analysis looks at how words, phrases, or grammar have developed and changed throughout history. 24. Parole → a term from linguistics that refers to the actual, individual use of language in speech or writing. (how a person actually speaks or writes, using that language in practice.) 25. Signified → the concept or idea that a word, symbol, or sign represents. It’s the meaning behind the signifier (the word or image itself). (example, is the idea or mental image of a cat that comes to mind when you hear or read the word.) 26. semiotics → codes and conventions (verbal, visual, aural) 27. Denotation → literal or explicit meaning of a word, image, or symbol 28. indexical relationship → has a direct, casual or physical connection to what it represents 29. symbolic relationship → when a sign represents something based on a convention, social agreement, or learned association 30. semiotic relationship → describe the relationship between the signs and their meanings 31. paradigmatic relationship → meanings are in terms of substitution (associative relations) 32. iconic relationship →is one where the sign (picture, symbol) resembles or imitates what it represents 33. genre → a conceptual framework that is part of our need for categorization and organization 34. main differences between comedy and melodrama and the main genres → tone ( comedy = humor melodrama = serious ) Plot ( comedy = light-hearted melodrama = dramatic) 35. be able to name and describe the textual properties of a genre as typically listed by film and TV theorists → narrative structure, character types and roles,  setting and locations, iconography (visual elements)m themes and motifs, tone and mood, style and aesthetic, conflict and resolution, audience expectations, dialogue and language, sound and music 36. Grapholect → a written variant of a language 37. primary orality → persons/cultures totally unfamiliar with writing 38. secondary orality → new orality sustained by telephone, radio, TV, etc 39. rebus writing → (example) A picture of the sole of a foot to represent the fish called sole) 40. Pictogram → (example) a picture of a tree as a representation of the world for a tree 41. symbolic communities → refer to groups of people who are connected not by geographical proximity or physical interaction but through shred symbols, meanings and values 42. Schmidt’s rabbit hole →he means that the idea of novels is to transport readers to alternate worlds and perspectives which allows them to fall into new rules and ideas. This analogy suggests that novels don't only tell stories but they create adventures and open deeper meanings for readers to really feel the reading and characters. 43. features of avant-garde film → distributed outside the structure of the film industry (in film club, galleries, schools) for art seeking to challenge, subvert, or reinvent artists tenets and conventions 44. framing → the choices made about what to include within the frame and what to exclude 45. establishing shot → shot at the start of a film or scene which establishes spatial relationships within the mise-en-scene and locates the story within the diegesis 46. Mise-en-scene→ everything which appears within the frame of the finished film 47. femme fatale → dangerous, seductive female character who are normally literally ‘fatal’, to the hero… a term which originated in critical discourses of film noir, 48. 30 degree rule → an editing technique which dictates that the camera should be stationed at a specific angle from its location in the previous shot. 49. Montage → can be understood as a general term for editing which in the days of celliod film meant the actual cutting and splicing together of actual film to arrange the narrative structure of the film. A more specific application refers to an editing technique in which shots are juxtaposed in an often fast-paced fashion that compresses time and conveys a lot of information in a relatively short period. 50. Diegesis → the fictional world in which we presume the story takes place 51. continuity editing → a technique that allows audiences to retain their focus on what is happening and not on how things are shown. 52. diegetic vs non diegetic sound → diegetic sound occurs within the narrative world while non diegetic sound is outside the narrative world (soundtrack) 53. different kinds of “shot scales” used in film →close up, extreme close up, the long shot, extreme long shot, medium long shot, and medium shot, high-angle shot, low-angle shot, straight-on shot, tracking shot, crane shot, establishing shot, matte shot 54. Focalization → describe the perspective through which a story is presented to the audience 55. the significance of props as used in film → provide narrative drive, take on a metaphoric significance, highly significant to film’s ability to signal metaphor and connotation, they are a rich, and extremely economic, source of connotative expression 56. the three principal narrative modes used in TV → linear, nonlinear and serial 57. How and why is contemporary TV more complex today → 58. The classic paradigm for TV (be able to name and describe the components) → 59. Types of panel transitions used in graphic novels and comics → moment-to-moment ( show a small change in time or action) action-to-action (show a change in action, but the same subject or character remains. The action progresses from one moment to the next) subject-to-subject (shifts between different characters or subjects within the same scene or setting) scene-to-scene (shifts between different locations, times, or events) Aspect to aspect (focus on different aspects or elements of the same acne without moving the narrative forward) Short Answer Questions 1) What is the function of characters and story world in terms of their contribution to a Narrative? →Characters drive the plot through their actions, motivations, and relationships. →The story world provides the context and setting, influencing character behavior and thematic elements. 2) What is the difference between plot and story? Be able to provide an example →Story refers to the sequence of events and characters' experiences, presented in chronological order. →Plot is the specific arrangement of those events, including how they are structured and revealed to the audience. 3) What is the relationship between genre and the manner in which a narrative is constructed? →Genre establishes expectations for the narrative structure, themes, and character types. →It influences the tone, pacing, and visual style of a story, dictating how the narrative is shaped (e.g., horror, comedy, drama). 4) What are the common character types in a narrative? In addition to naming them, briefly describe their function. →Protagonist: Central character who drives the story forward and faces challenges. →Antagonist: Opposes the protagonist, creating conflict and tension in the narrative. →Supporting characters: Help develop the protagonist’s character or advance the plot, often by providing contrast or offering assistance. →Foil: A character whose qualities highlight the protagonist’s traits or choices. 5) The academic study of narrative as related to media types is usually grouped into three categories? Name and briefly describe these categories. Textual analysis: Examines the content, structure, and language of the narrative within a specific medium. Contextual analysis: Focuses on the historical, social, and cultural influences surrounding the narrative and its production. Audience analysis: Studies how different audiences interpret and interact with narratives across media. 6) How does text impact our understanding of images according to Roland Barthes? →Text adds meaning and context to images, guiding the viewer's interpretation. →Barthes argued that text can either anchor or oppose the image’s meaning, influencing the viewer's emotional response and understanding. 7) What are the common ways to assess genres? →Conventions: Specific narrative and stylistic elements typical of the genre, such as setting, character types, and plot structures. →Iconography: Visual symbols and motifs associated with a genre (e.g., guns and hats in Westerns). →Audience expectations: How the genre aligns with or subverts the audience’s expectations of themes, tone, and narrative outcomes. 8) What is meant by the idea that words are “magic” in oral cultures? →Words hold immense power to shape reality, as oral traditions rely heavily on storytelling to communicate cultural values, history, and identity. →Oral cultures see words as direct, impactful tools that can invoke change, summon spirits, or transform reality. 9) What is the relationship between writing and human consciousness? →Writing externalizes thoughts, making it possible to reflect on and analyze ideas that were previously transient or oral. →It changes the way humans organize, store, and transmit knowledge, fostering more complex cognitive processes. 10) What are the main features or characteristics of the modern novel? →Character development: Focus on the inner lives, psychological complexity, and development of characters. →Narrative innovation: Use of multiple perspectives, non-linear timelines, and unreliable narrators. →Social commentary: Engages with contemporary issues, often exploring themes of alienation, identity, and societal norms. 11) Why is radio referred to as a blind medium? How does this relate to how sound is used in radio? →Radio is called a "blind medium" because it relies solely on auditory information, lacking visual elements. →Sound becomes a primary tool for creating atmosphere, conveying emotions, and delivering information. 12) Briefly detail the wilderness and civilization binary as described by Berger. →Wilderness symbolizes nature, freedom, and the untamed, often associated with masculinity and adventure. →Civilization represents order, structure, and human control over nature, often linked with the domestication of the environment and social norms. 13) What are the main features of avant-garde film? Non-narrative structure: Often rejects traditional storytelling in favor of abstract, experimental forms. Experimental techniques: Emphasis on unconventional use of visuals, sound, and editing to challenge viewer expectations. Focus on individual expression: Typically aims to provoke thought and engage with avant-garde ideas, often questioning the nature of cinema itself. Essay questions 1) What are the main ways in which writing and later print have transformed human expression and the production/consumption of knowledge and narrative? →Wider Accessibility: Print democratized knowledge, making it accessible to a broader audience beyond the elite, contributing to the spread of ideas (e.g., Reformation, Enlightenment). →Standardization and Preservation: Writing and print enabled the standardization of language and the preservation of texts, ensuring the continuity of knowledge and narratives over time. →Expansion of Creative Expression: Writing allowed for more complex and diverse forms of storytelling, such as the novel, poetry, and drama, expanding the range of human expression. →Private Consumption: Print shifted knowledge and narrative consumption from oral, communal forms to private, individual reading, allowing for reflection and personal engagement. →Rise of Intellectual and Political Movements: Print facilitated the spread of ideas and political discourse, leading to cultural movements and the creation of a public sphere for debate (e.g., Enlightenment ideas, democracy). 2) How do cinematic codes (types of shots) impact a viewer’s experience of the film? How do these codes relate to genre and how the film is constructed to relay a particular theme or “meaning” to the audience? - Cinematic codes, such as types of shots (close-ups, wide shots, angles), are tools that shape how viewers experience a film. They impact the emotional tone and help convey key themes or meanings in the story. For example, a close-up can highlight a character’s emotion, while a wide shot can show isolation or scale. These codes are closely tied to genre—in horror, close-ups might create fear, while in action films, dynamic shots build excitement. The way shots are used also helps express themes like power, conflict, or time. In all media, from TV to video games, these visual choices guide how the audience feels and interprets the story. 3) Why and how are narratives important to the development of human culture and the transmission of knowledge? →Cultural Identity and Continuity: Narratives preserve and transmit cultural values, traditions, and beliefs across generations, helping define group identity and social cohesion (e.g., myths, folklore, and religious stories). →Meaning-Making and Understanding: Narratives help individuals make sense of the world, organize experiences, and interpret complex realities, providing frameworks for understanding human behavior, morality, and society. →Socialization and Education: Through storytelling, societies teach norms, ethics, and history, shaping how people understand their roles within communities and pass down practical knowledge (e.g., fables, parables, historical narratives). →Emotional and Psychological Impact: Narratives connect on an emotional level, fostering empathy and shared human experiences, which can drive social change and personal growth (e.g., literature, film, and personal storytelling). →Transmission of Knowledge: Narratives are a key vehicle for the transmission of knowledge, making abstract concepts more relatable and accessible, and aiding memory retention (e.g., educational storytelling, scientific narratives). →Adaptation and Innovation: Narratives evolve with society, adapting to new contexts, technologies, and cultural shifts, while continuing to serve as tools for learning and communication (e.g., modern media storytelling like podcasts, TV series). 4) Using examples, detail the production of myth, according to Roland Barthes concept of secondary signification. - According to Roland Barthes' concept of secondary signification, myth is the process by which cultural meanings are created and naturalized in society. Barthes argues that everyday signs (words, images, etc.) carry primary signification (literal meaning), but they can also carry secondary signification, which is a deeper, culturally constructed meaning that shapes how we understand the world. - Example: spiderman → Primary signification: spiderman is a fictional superhero with superhuman abilities. → Secondary signification (myth): spiderman becomes a symbol of idealized masculinity, heroism, and American values like justice, truth, and the fight against evil. His secret identity as Peter Parker represents the ordinary man, while his superhero persona embodies strength, morality, and the American Dream. 5) Briefly describe the role of memory in oral cultures. How does it impact how narratives are created and told? →Preservation and Adaptation: In the absence of written texts, oral cultures rely on memory to preserve stories, myths, genealogies, and cultural knowledge. These stories are passed down through generations by repetition and oral performance, allowing them to adapt over time while maintaining core elements. →Interactive and Fluid Storytelling: Narratives in oral cultures are often improvised and dynamic, with storytellers adjusting details based on audience feedback, context, and memory. This results in variations of the same story, making each retelling unique and responsive to the present moment. 6) Describe the main features or aspects of oral cultures in terms of how they structure narratives and relay various forms of knowledge and cultural meaning amongst themselves? Oral cultures rely on spoken storytelling to transmit knowledge, culture, and values. Key features include: - Communal storytelling: Narratives are shared in social settings, often with audience interaction. - Memory and repetition: Stories use repetition and formulaic phrases to aid memory and recall. - Flexible narratives: Stories can change based on the storyteller and audience, with variations across generations. - Symbolism and archetypes: Characters and symbols (e.g., heroes, animals) convey deeper meanings and universal themes.  - Cultural preservation: Stories preserve history, teach moral lessons, and reinforce social norms. - Performance: Storytelling is often a dramatic performance, engaging listeners emotionally and physically. - Relational knowledge: Knowledge is passed through personal interaction, not written text. Overall, oral cultures use storytelling as a dynamic, collective process to maintain identity, transmit values, and foster social cohesion. 7) Why does the genre “matter?” Base your response on the impact that genre has on a narrative’s overall structure, audience expectations and general trends in society/history and technology. →Narrative Structure: Genre sets expectations for a story’s structure (e.g., action, pacing, conflict) and guides plot conventions (e.g., hero’s journey in adventure, suspense in horror). →Audience Expectations: Genres create familiarity, allowing audiences to predict key elements (e.g., happy endings in romantic comedies, twists in thrillers), but can also be subverted for innovation. →Reflection of Society/History: Genres reflect societal values and historical contexts, such as post-war disillusionment in film noir, or fears of technology in sci-fi, evolving with shifts in culture, politics, and technology. 8) What are the major ways in which the invention of print impacted human society? Your response should refer to the dissemination of knowledge and the impact it had on storytelling, along with more general effects. The invention of print had profound effects on human society, especially in the areas of knowledge dissemination and storytelling. Key impacts include: - Wider Access to Knowledge: Print made books more affordable and accessible, spreading knowledge beyond the elite. This led to the rise of public education and increased literacy, allowing more people to learn and engage with new ideas. - Standardization of Texts: Printed texts became uniform, preserving knowledge more accurately than handwritten manuscripts. This helped stabilize languages, ensured consistency in religious texts, and contributed to the growth of scientific knowledge. - Expansion of Storytelling: Print revolutionized storytelling by making literature widely available. It enabled the creation of novels, plays, and newspapers, which reached broader audiences, democratizing entertainment and ideas. - Cultural and Intellectual Movements: The printing press sparked the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment, facilitating the rapid spread of revolutionary ideas and challenging established authorities like the Church. - Social Change: Print empowered individuals to engage in public discourse, fostering the rise of political pamphlets, newspapers, and novels that addressed social, political, and philosophical issues, thus shaping modern society. In short, the invention of print democratized knowledge, transformed storytelling, and played a crucial role in cultural and intellectual revolutions, driving social and political change. 9) Detail the major developments in the history of the novel making references to historical periods, major genres, themes and the development of narrative as a whole. The history of the novel evolved through several key periods: - Early Forms (Pre-17th Century): Narrative forms like epic poetry and romances laid the groundwork. - Rise of the Novel (17th-18th Century): The novel emerged with works like Don Quixote, focusing on individualism, social critique, and realism. Epistolary and picaresque genres were popular. - Victorian Era (19th Century): The realist novel flourished with authors like Dickens and Austen, exploring themes of class, morality, and social change. - Modernism (20th Century): Writers like Joyce and Woolf experimented with streams of consciousness and fragmented narratives, addressing themes of alienation and individual identity. - Postmodernism (Late 20th Century): Authors like Pynchon and Márquez blurred genre boundaries, using metafiction and non-linear plots, questioning truth and reality. The novel evolved from simple storytelling to a complex, diverse form that reflects social, psychological, and philosophical shifts. 10) How and why are TV narratives more complex today than in the past? What are the major reasons for this increased complexity? →Serialized Storytelling: Modern TV shows often feature long, serialized narratives (e.g., Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad), allowing for deeper character development, intricate plotlines, and evolving themes across multiple seasons. →Character Complexity: Characters in contemporary TV shows are more morally ambiguous and multi-dimensional, reflecting the shift towards antiheroes and complex psychological profiles (e.g., Mad Men, The Sopranos). →Multiple Perspectives and Nonlinear Structures: Many TV shows now experiment with non-linear timelines, flashbacks, and multiple points of view (e.g., Westworld, True Detective), which adds layers of mystery and encourages audience engagement. →Influence of Streaming Platforms: Platforms like Netflix and HBO encourage longer, bingeable content with a focus on narrative depth, allowing for more ambitious, intricate storytelling without the constraints of traditional broadcast scheduling. →Cultural and Social Reflection: TV increasingly tackles complex social, political, and existential issues, integrating them into the narrative to reflect contemporary concerns (e.g., Black Mirror exploring technology's impact on society). →Rise of "Prestige TV”: With the rise of high-quality productions and larger budgets, shows are able to afford more ambitious writing, production values, and deeper thematic exploration (e.g., The Crown, The Leftovers).