HAGUILANAN HIGH SCHOOL

Haguilanan, Catigbian, Bohol

Lesson Guide No_____

Media and Information Literacy

Codes, Conventions, and Messages

“Language is the source of misunderstandings”.

— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900 – 44)

Each medium has its own 'language' or 'grammar' that works to convey meaning in a unique
way. 'Language' in this sense means 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.

Codes and conventions. Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning.Codes can be
divided into two categories – technical and symbolic. Technical codesare all the ways in
which
Codes and conventions
What are codes?
Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. Codes can be divided into two categories – technical and
symbolic.

Technical codes are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text, for example the
camera work in a film.

Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a character's actions show
you how the character is feeling.

Some codes fit both categories – music for example, is both technical and symbolic.

What are conventions?

Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something. There are general conventions in any
medium, such as the use of interviewee quotes in a print article, but conventions are also genre specific.

How codes and conventions apply in media studies

Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre – it is not enough to discuss a technical code
used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre.

For example, the technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention of the
horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense – an integral part of any
horror movie.

http://unesco.mil-for-teachers.unaoc.org/modules/module-4/
 HAGUILANAN HIGH SCHOOL
Haguilanan, Catigbian, Bohol

Lesson Guide No_____

English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Concept paper

Suggested Format for a Concept Paper

(See discussion above.)

Introduction

Purpose

Project Description

Goals and Objectives/Research Questions

Methodology and Timelines

Benefits/Anticipated Outcomes

Support Needed & Costs (if requested)

Contact Information