ILONAH JEAN B.
VIVENCIO
THE MEDIA AN INFORMATION LANGUAGES
_______________________________________________________
OVERVIEW
Nowadays, we are exposed with numerous information that is available in various
media and understanding its meaning or content would give us users a more
effective way of selecting and utilizing information.
This module is a self-paced educational package meant for students in the K to 12
Curriculum. It is for students enrolled in the subject Media and Information Literacy.
This is an outcome-based kit, which topics, activities, and assessment tasks are
aligned to learning opportunities.
The iimportance of content analysis will be given an emphasis in selecting and
utlizing information. This unit introduces you to the languages used in different
media. The form and the content of the message will be elaborated. The codes and
conventions in the media will be discussed.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to;
a. Identify the different codes and conventions of media
b. Appreciate the importance of codes and conventions in film making
c. Present and issue in varied ways to disseminate infomration using the
codes, conventions, and language of media
MELC: Present an issue in varied ways to disseminate information using the
codes, conventions, and language of media.
DISCUSSION
One of the important steps in becoming media and information literate
individual is to understand how information, ideas and meaning are
communicated through and by various media.
And in almost all aspects of life, people rely on information that available
media have to offer. Thus, it is important for the media and information users to
know how to analyze content.
Media Languages
All media messages are constructed using a particular set of codes and
conventions. Each medium has its own ‘language’ that works to convey meaning in a
unique way. In this sense, ‘Language’ means the codes and conventions that media
and information use to communicate meaning to the audience.
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So, what are codes and conventions?
Codes are systems of signs that when put together create meaning while
Conventions are generally established and accepted ways of doing something.
Hence, codes and conventions govern the way in which sign are chosen and
combined (Nicholas & Price 1988).
When we say media message are constructed using codes and conventions,
we mean that evey media product we encounter is a coherent body with its own
rules.
In the next pages, you will be able to see examples of codes and conventions.
At this point, it will be good to introduce the theory of semiotics so we can
fully appreciate the coherence of the sign systems.
Semiotics is the study of signs. According to Hall (1997) media always is
engaged in “signifying practices,” which means there is a kind of symbolic work that
can be found in media texts.
There are three types of codes. These are the symbolic codes, written codes
and technical codes.
1. Symbolic codes – these codes show what is beneath the surface of what
we see (objects, setting, body language, clothing, color, etc.) or iconic
symbos that are easily understood.
2. Written codes – the use of language style and textual layout (headlines,
captions, speech bubbles, language style, etc.)
3. Technical codes – these are ways in which equipment is used to tell the
story. This includes sound, camera angles, types of shots, and lighting as
well as camera techniques, framing, depth or field, lighting, exposure and
juxtaposition.
Take a look at the following examples illustrating how specific
set of codes and conventions operate in a particular medium.
1. Symbolic Codes. Symbols are commonly used in media, such as movies
to give hints or convey meaning and every now and then we also take
symbolic actions to express ourselves, like when we wave our hands to
say goodbye and shake our heads to express disapproval.
Here are other examples of symbolic codes:
Colors and objects such as a Red Rose may
convey Romance or Love.
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While colors in a traffic light means Stop(Red),
Go(Green), Yellow
Setting also conveys meaning, it is the time
and place of the narrative or story. This will
create atmosphere or build a frame of mind.
Like in ’10 Cloverfield Lane’ the design of the
bomb shelter is connected to the character of
Howard ang his need for a family.
Mise en scene is a Frence term meaning
‘everything within a frame’. In media terms, it
has become to mean the description of all the
objects within a frame of media and how they
have been arranged. Costume and props are
included in the analysis in the frame.
Acting is how an actor portrays a character to
contribute in character development, creating
tension or advancing the narrative through
facial expression, body language, vocal
qualities, and movement.
2. Written Codes. Titles, slogans/taglines, captions, choice of words,
emphasis of words, style, typeface or font also express meanings.
Headline – is the text indicating the nature
of the article below it.
Photo captions – also known as cutlines,
are a few lines of text used to explain or
elaborated on published photographs.
Comic Strips – is a sequence of drawings
arranged in interrelated panels to display
brief humor or form a narrative, often
serialize, with text in balloons and captions.
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3. Technical Codes – According to Arniel Ping technical codes are all the
ways in which equipment is used to tell a story in a media text like
cameraworks, editing, lighting, audio, etc. (Ping , 2016).
A. Camerawork – refers to how the camera is handled, positioned and moved
for specific effects like a high-angle camera shot to create a feeling for power
in a photograph.
B. Lighting – According to Robert Young, lighting is the manipulation of natural or
artificial light to selectively highlight specific elements of the scene. (Young, 2017)
C. Audio – is the expressive or naturalistic use of sound. It includes sound effects, music and
diaglogue. According to Chris Constantine (2010) music often defines a screne.
For additional learning you may watch: Technical Codes Camera Movement-Storytelling with
Cinematograhy.(2015).DSLRguide.Youtube.Retrieved July 7,2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9APrV5cYnE
To add understanding about Conventions, watch the following: Conventions and Iconography
of an Action Film.(2015). YouTube Channel:Skyline Productions.Retrieved July 7,2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=HuxNcp9a0A&list=PLvqJQQNqUbBSD9TLTO7EcEGP1KvRWbGDh&index=3
Cinemalaya 2016 (2016). YouTube Channel: Viral Pinoy. Retrieved July 7, 2020, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKKuo2kSy0M
SELF-CHECK TEST
You have learned the different media languages and their examples. At
this point, let us determine how well did you understand the lesson. Do
the following activities.
I. Matching Type.
Direction: Match column A to column B. Write the letter that corresponds your
answer on the space provided before each number.
A. Basic Camera Shots
____ 1. a. Full shot
____ 2. b. High-angle shot
____ 3. c. Long shot
____ 4. d. Extreme-close up
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e. Low-angle shot
____ 5.
f. Medium shot
____ 6.
g. Bird’s eye shot
B. Angles h. Eye-level shot
____ 7.
i. Close-up shot
____ 8. j. Medium-long shot
____ 9. k. Extreme long shot
____ 10
II. Multiple Choice.
Direction: Identify what each picture/illustration signifies. Encircle the letter of
the correct answer. a. Love 2. a.Go 3.
a.Healthy
b. Peace b.Stop b.Toxic
c. War c.No c.Gothic
4. a. Male 5. a.Poisonous
b. Female b.Disposable
c. Molecules c.Flammable
III. Picture Analysis.
Direction: Pictures from the AMC’s “The Walking Dead”
1. What codes are evident in this
scene?
2. What codes were used to
compliment the brilliant acting of this
actor?
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EVALUATION ACTIVTIES
I. True or False.
Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise write FALSE. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number.
______ 1. Every type of media has its own language.
______ 2. Language may be a source of misunderstanding.
______ 3. Codes refers to the accepted ways of doing something in media.
______ 4. We may decode information differently because of how they are presented
______ 5. The style, font or typeface in written materials does not affect the context.
II. Identification.
Direction: Identify the term/s defined in each number. Write your answer in the
space after each statement.
6. This refers to the codes and conventions that media and information use to
communicate meaning to the audience. ____________
7. This refers to the study of signs. ____________
8. This refers to the systems of signs that when put together create meaning.________
9. This refers to the ways of how the equipment is used to tell a story. _____________
10.This refers to codes that show what is beneath the surface. _______________
III. Essay.
Directions: Write an essay about how understanding the codes and
conventions contribute to media and information literacy. Your essay must be at
least 200 words. Write it in your notebook. Be guided with the following rubrics.
Traits 4 3 2 1
Content/Clarity The central idea is The central idea There is a central Central idea and
of Purpose well-developed and clarity purpose idea but it is clarity purpose
and clarity purpose are generally either vague or are either absent
is exhibited. evident. too broad. or incomplete.
Reasons for Three or more Three reasons are Two reasons are Arguments are
Support excellent reasons stated, but some made but with weak or missing.
are stated with arguments are weak arguments Less than two
good support and weak; the ideas and the ideas reasons are
the ideas presented are presented are made. The ideas
presented are thought of. considered but presented are
clear and not elaborated. not elaborated.
completely well-
thought of.
Voice The writer’s voice The writer’s voice The writer’s The writer’s
is convincing and is somewhat voice is generally voice is not
effective convincing. inconsistent. consistent.
throughout the
essay.
Organization The introduction is The introduction is There is an There is no clear
engaging. The interesting. The introduction. introduction,
information and information and Some body or
details are details are information and conclusion.
presented in a presented in a details are not in
logical order. The logical order but order. A
conclusion strongly does not always conclusion is
states a powerful maintain the included, but it
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personal opinion. interest of the does not clearly
audience. The state a personal
conclusion states a opinion.
personal opinion.
Grammar, There are no There are few There are There are
Mechanics, & errors in grammar, errors in grammar, several errors in numerous errors
Spelling mechanics, and/or mechanics, and/or grammar, in grammar,
spelling. spelling, but they mechanics, mechanics,
do not obstruct and/or spelling. and/or spelling.
understanding.
Total /20
REFERENCES
2015. Camera Movement - Storytelling with Cinematography. Directed by YouTube. Performed by
DSLRguide.
Gonzales, Edward D. 2016. Media and Information Literacy. Manila: JFC Publishing Services.
Leanometry Inc. 2020. studiobinder.com. March 11. Accessed June 13-14, 2020.
https://www.studiobinder.com.
Ping, Arniel. 2017. "Media and Information Literacy: Media and Information Languages (Part 1) Genre,
Codes, and Conventions." SlideShare. June 12. Accessed July 13, 2020.
https://www.slideshare.net.
—. 2017. "Media and Information Literacy: Media and Information Languages (Part 2)." SlideShare. June
11. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.slideshare.net.
United Nations Alliance of Civilization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
2020. "Media and Information Literacy for Teachers." Accessed July 13-14, 2020. unesco.mil-for-
teachers.unaoc.org.
Zarate, Maria Jovita E. 2016. Media and Information Literacy. Manila: Rex Book Store.
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