Media and Information Literacy

QUARTER 2: MODULE 5

Codes, Conventions and Languages

of Media

LEARNING COMPETENCIES TASK MODE OF

(GOOD FOR TWO WEEKS) DELIVERY
✓ Define codes, conventions, and language Answer the ff: Submit
✓ WHAT I KNOW output in
of media.
the drop
✓ Identify the codes and conventions ✓ ACTIVITY 1 center on
✓ ACTIVIYT 2 the
presented.
scheduled
✓ Use the codes and conventions of media in ✓ WHAT I CAN DO time and
presenting an issue. ✓ APPLY WHAT YOU date
HAVE LEARNED

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WHAT I KNOW

DIRECTIONS: Read the following questions. Write the letter of the correct answer on
the provided answer sheet.
1. These are system of signs which create meaning to the receiver.
A. Codes C. Language
B. Convention D. Message
2. It is a code used to tell the story.
A. Media C. Technical
B. Symbolic D. Written
3. Body language, clothing, colors are examples of what code?
A. Media C. Technical
B. Symbolic D. Written
4. Information or data are stored. What do media practitioners use as
communication channels through which they disseminate them?
A. Codes C. Language
B. Convention D. Media
5. In movies, what colors are usually used to symbolize evil?
A. Black and Blue C. Black and Red
B. Black and Gray D. Black and White

WHAT’S NEW

Today, media has become very powerful and influential. As a learner, it is not
enough that you can read the information given to you. It is also important to understand
media and information codes and conventions to help you better understand the
message that media professionals are communicating. According to Ute Schaeffer as
cited by (Sylvia Braesel, Media and Information Literacy A practical guidebook for
trainers, 2018) “People need to be media literate. This involves knowing where to find
relevant information, how media shape popular culture and opinion and influence
personal choices, and how to navigate the Internet and ensure personal privacy in the
cyber world.”

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 ACTIVITY 1. AGREE OR DISAGREE

DIRECTIONS: Read the quote then answer the questions that follow. Write your
answers in the provided answer sheet. “Language may be a source of
misunderstanding” by Marshall McLuchan,1964.
1. Does the receiver’s/audience’s personal background or experience affect the
interpretation of the message? (5 points)
2. Is it possible that different individuals interpret the message they both received
differently? Explain. (5 points)

ACTIVITY 2. LOOKING AROUND ME

DIRECTIONS: List down and draw two (3) most commonly used signs and symbols and
explain their meaning and why these symbols are understood. Then you are also going
to list down and draw two (2) most commonly misunderstood signs and symbols in
the community and explain how these symbols are interpreted and the reason why
you think they are misunderstood. (3 points each).

WHAT’S IN

The information that you get looking at the symbol is actually the message of the symbol
itself. Understanding the language of media is a skill that you must acquire. Remember
the following terms:
➢ Language pertains to the technical and symbolic ingredients or codes and
conventions that media and information professionals may select 9 and use in an
effort to communicate ideas, information and knowledge.
➢ Media language are the codes, conventions, formats, symbols and narrative
structure that indicate the meaning of media messages to an audience.
➢ Messages are the information sent from a source to a receiver.
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Questions to Ponder:
1. What kind of movie does each picture show?
2. What are the elements that helped you identify its kind?

The elements that helped you identify what kind of movie each picture shows are the
codes and conventions of media. Media codes and conventions are like the building
blocks of all the media around us which generally have an agreed meaning, or
connotation to their audience (Young, 2017). There are three (3) types of media codes:
symbolic codes, technical codes, and written codes.

1. Symbolic codes are social in nature. Such codes exist

beyond the media product themselves but can be
interpreted in similar ways in the everyday life of the
viewer (Young, 2017). means
Christianity

❖ Setting is the time and place of the narrative. It can be the setting of the
whole story or just a specific scene. This will create atmosphere or build a
frame of mind (Young, 2017).

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❖ Setting is the time and place of the narrative. It can be the setting of the
whole story or just a specific scene. This will create atmosphere or build a
frame of mind (Young, 2017).

❖ Mise en scene is a French term meaning ‘everything within a frame’. Costume

and props are included in the analysis in the frame (Young, 2017).

❖ Acting is how an actor portray a character that will lead to character

development and tension making through facial expression, body language
and vocal qualities (Young, 2017).
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❖ Color is used to connect connotation to specific scenes, characters or object.
Red, for instance, is typically seen as a color of passion, danger, romance, or
violence. Green is connected with nature or sickness, blue with calm or
depression. Purple is seen to be connected with royalty (Young, R. 2017).

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2. 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 camera techniques, framing,
lighting, etc. (Ping, 2016).

❖ Camerawork
refers to how
the camera is
handled,
positioned
and moved
for specific
effects like a
high-angle
camera shot
to create a
feeling of
power in a
photograph.

❖ Lighting.

According to Robert Young

lighting is the manipulation of
natural or artificial light to
selectively highlight specific
elements of the scene (Young,
2017).

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 ❖ Audio is the expressive or naturalistic use of sound. It includes dialogue,
sound effects and music. According to Chris 14 Constantine (Constantine,
2010) music often defines a scene. An example is the use of ominous music
to communicate danger in films.

3. Written codes are the

formal written
language used in a
media product. These
include language style
and textual layout like
headlines, captions,
speech bubbles, etc.
(Frezi.com, Young, R.
2017)

Questions to Ponder:
1. What type of fonts or typefaces are used in each picture?
2. What message does the style of font signify?
The simple use of different fonts or typefaces indicate different meaning.
According to Robert Young, conventions are the accepted ways of using
media codes. There are three different types of conventions: form conventions, story
conventions and genre convention (Young, R. 2017).
1. Form conventions are the expected ways on how media codes are arranged. In
newspapers for example, the most important news will be at the front page while
sports news is found at the back page. Newspapers also contain masthead.
2. Story conventions are common narrative structures and understandings in story
telling media products like cause and effect, character construction and point of
view.

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 3. Genre conventions are the common use of tropes, characters, settings or themes
in a particular type of medium. They can be formal or thematic.

You are now familiar with the different codes and conventions used by media
professionals to deliver the message that they want their audience to receive. Your
understanding of the technical, symbolic and written codes will make you media and
information literate.

WHAT I CAN DO
DIRECTIONS: Determine the media language that is used in the picture or in the
statement. Write your answer in the provided answer sheet.

1. 5.

2.
6. white color signifies purity

7. your ‘selfie’ picture

3.
8. warning signs

9. announcement posted on the board

4.
10. sound effects
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 APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

DIRECTIONS: Based on the scenario below, you will think of a way to cover/journalize
the incident. You are going to make a recorded speech (audio visual) to inform people
in your community of the said incident to make them aware of the rules and regulations
of the lockdown and the possible consequences once they violate such rules. Remember
to use the codes and conventions in crafting your output. Rubrics are provided for you
to be guided on what to do. Your output shall run for 90-120 seconds only. Send your
output to my messenger account (Lucille Lance Gebaῆa)
.

SCENARIO: Governor Bonz Dolor put the whole province of Oriental Mindoro on
lockdown again on May 6, 2021 due to the health risks of COVID 19. Most of the
residents stayed at home while still, lots of people went out to continue with their
lives. Police are starting to arrest hundreds of people for violating curfew, “social
distancing”, and quarantine regulations.

Guide Questions: (GUIDE ONLY. NO NEED TO ANSWER THESE.)

1. What will you do to make your report not boring?
2. Would you exaggerate some elements in your output to make it interesting? Why?

CRITERIA 10 8 6 5
The use of The use of The use of The use of
codes and codes and codes and codes and
Clarity and symbols to symbols to symbols to symbols to
Attractiveness present the present the present the present the
message is message are message are message is
exceptionally satisfactorily acceptability poorly
clear and clear and clear and selected.
attractive. attractive. attractive.

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 Original and A little original Original and Not original
imaginative. and a little but not nor
Creativity and Imaginative but imaginative. imaginative. imaginative.
Validity not original. The The The
The information information information
information presented are presented are presented are
presented are adequately poorly accurate not accurate
accurate and accurate and and valid. and valid.
valid. valid.
The The The The
presentation is presentation presentation presentation
cohesive and has deep lacks meaning lacks meaning;
Meaningfulness comprehensive meaning but with no no supporting
with supporting with less supporting details; with
details. details. details. unfinished
parts
Source: MIL Teacher’s Guide

➢ Be reminded of the tasks that are needed to be accomplished. See the table at the
frontpage of this module to see the guide.

Prepared and Edited by:

MRS. LUCILLE G. VARGAS
Subject Teacher

Reference: DEPED REGION III

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