Senior High School

Media and
Information Literacy
Quarter 1
Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) 7

Media and Information Languages

These Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) were designed and written with you in mind to help you
master the Media Information and Languages. The scope of this learning material focuses on
the many different learning situations. Moreover, the language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of learners. The lessons are also arranged following the standard sequence
of the course. Hence, the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with
the textbook you are now using.

The LAS contain:

MELC 7 - Present an issue in varied ways to disseminate information using the codes,
convention, and language of media

After going through this LAS, you are expected to:

1. recognize how codes, conventions and message affect audience, producers and other
media stakeholders ;
2. reflect on how important information can be conveyed to create a desired impression;
and
3. identify how same information is conveyed in different media platform.
Definition of Terms

Audience. The group of consumers for whom a media message was constructed
as well as anyone else who is exposed to the message.
Codes. Are systems of signs, which create meaning
Convention. Refers to a standard or norm that acts as a rule governing behaviour.
Genre. A particular type or category of literature and art.
Language. Pertains to the technical and symbolic ingredients or codes and
conventions that media and information professionals may select and
use in an effort to communicate ideas, information and knowledge.
Media Languages. Codes, conventions, formats, symbols and narrative structures that
indicate the meaning of media messages to an audience.
Messages. The information sent from a source to a receiver.
Other stakeholders. Libraries, archives, museums, internet and other relevant information
providers.
Producers. People engaged in the process of creating and putting together media
content to make a finished media product.
Symbolic Codes. Show what is beneath the surface of what we see.
Technical Codes. Ways in which equipment is used to tell the story.
Written Codes. Use of language style and textual layout (headlines, captions, speech
bubbles, language style, etc. )
 Pretest

Direction: Read each statement carefully, write A if the statement is correct and B if not.
Write your answer in your activity notebook.

______1. Formats are system of signs that when put together create meaning.

______2. Codes are the generally accepted ways of doing something.

______3. Technical code includes camera angles, sound and lighting.

______4. Producers are group of people whom media are constructed.

______5. Camera framing is included in the symbolic code.

______6. Font styles are important component of written code.

______7. Conventions are the governing behavior in doing something in media.

______8. Colors, object, and body language all constitutes to written code.

______9. Target audience refers to people engaged in the process of creating media
content.

______10. Libraries, archives and museums are considered as stakeholders of media.

 7 Media Information and Languages
Media and other information providers play a central role in information and communication
processes. Nowadays, media become the common outlet of selfexpression and creativity. Its
huge influence spreads speedily across the globe. The connection between technological
advances and people’s connectivity created a huge impact on the lives of today’s generation.
This module covers all the above-mentioned concepts.
Information sources are means in accessing and sharing information. Indigenous knowledge
(IK) refers to information source owned, controlled and managed by indigenous peoples.
Library and Internet are two other sources of information with their own characteristics.
Regardless of the choice of information source, it is very important to determine the accuracy,
reliability and value of information by questioning the source of data, limitations of the
information gathering tools or strategies, and the rationale of the conclusions. To understand
more about Media and Information Literacy, let’s take a look to the next concepts.
THE LANGUAGE OF MEDIA
Media products can be classified according to its categories or genre. Each genre uses codes
and conventions to easily convey a message. Codes are systems of signs, which create
meaning and is divided into three categories- technical, symbolic and written.
Technical Codes are the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story (ex. camera
techniques, framing, depth of fields, lighting and exposure, etc.). Technical codes include
sound, camera angles, types of shots and lighting. They may include, for example, ominous
music to communicate danger in a feature film, or high-angle camera shots to create a feeling
of power in a photograph.

TECHNICAL CODES
CAMERA MOVEMENT
TRACK, PAN, ZOOM, TILT

SHOT SIZES
CLOSE-UP, LONG SHOT

LIGHTING
CREATES A MOOD

CAMERA ANGLE
EYE-LEVEL, HIGH & LOW
Furthermore, the following are the basic camera techniques used to capture different scenes.
Symbolic Codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see (ex. objects, setting, body
language, clothing, color, etc. ). Symbolic codes include the language, dress or actions of
characters, or iconic symbols that are easily understood. For example, a red rose may be used
symbolically to convey romance, or a clenched fist may be used to communicate anger.
Written Codes refer to the use of language style and textual layout (headlines, captions,
speech bubbles, language style, etc. )

Examples:
Another concept is Convention, the generally accepted ways of doing something, a standard
or norm that acts as a governing behaviour.
The image below is a sample analysis of the use of codes and convention in a movie poster:

Other concepts related to media language are the following:

• Messages - the information sent from a source to a receiver.

• Audience - the group of consumers for whom a media message was constructed as well
as anyone else who is exposed to the message
• Producers - People engaged in the process of creating and putting together media
content to make a finished media product.
• Other stakeholders - Libraries, archives, museums, internet and other relevant
information providers.
Sample analysis:
Activity 1: Study the commercial ad below and answer the guide questions that follow.

1. What codes are used in this ad?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________.

2. How were the codes used in constructing the message of this ad?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________.

3. How is your understanding of the technical and symbolic codes contribute to media and
information literacy?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________.
Directions: Complete the 3-2-1 Chart about your discoveries on how to present an issue in
varied ways to disseminate information using the codes, convention, and language
of media

. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper

 Assessment

Instruction. Using the images, fill in the table below by giving description to the identified
codes and conventions used in each media platform.

Codes and Conventions Newspaper Movie poster Magazine

1. Theme (Message)

2. Suitability to the audience

3. Iconology (Symbolism)

4. Media Producers
Answer Key
10.A
9.B
8.B
7.A
6. A
5.B
4.B
3.A
2.B
1.B
What I Know

References
Commission on higher Education, 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High School
MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY CORE SUBJECT.

Media and Information Literacy Curriculum Guide by DepEd

Ping, A. (2017). Media and Information Languages [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved

from https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/arnielping/media-and information-languages-
genre-codes-and-conventions

UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Teachers

Department of Education – SOCCSKSARGEN Learning Resource

Management System (LRMS)