Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91251 about?

Accepted Answer

This is an externally assessed (exam) standard worth 4 credits. You write one essay in the exam about a media genre — for example horror films, sitcoms, or coming-of-age movies. You pick one of five provided statements and argue how much you agree or disagree with it, using your chosen genre and specific examples from texts within that genre as evidence. The exam tests whether you understand how genres work: how they change over time, what audiences expect from them, or how commercial pressures shape them.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91251?

Accepted Answer

1. Study a media genre in class throughout the year — for example horror, sitcom, or coming-of-age films — and learn specific texts (movies, shows, etc.) within that genre really well 2. Understand one key 'aspect' of your genre: either how the genre has changed, what audiences expect from it, or how money and commercial pressures influence it 3. In the exam, choose one of five statements and write an analytical essay arguing how far you agree or disagree, using your genre and specific examples as evidence 4. Use media theory (like audience theory or genre theory) and real secondary evidence (like box office figures or critic reviews) to back up your argument — not just plot description 5. Structure your essay clearly with an introduction, idea-based paragraphs, and a conclusion that all stay focused on the statement you chose

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91251?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You describe how your genre works and use examples to support your points, but your answer may be a bit vague or loosely connected to the statement. You might include some media theory but not really explain how it supports your argument. Your essay may read more like a report or a film-by-film summary than a focused argument. Merit: You explain why your genre works the way it does, not just what it does. You use evidence — statistics, quotes, theory — accurately and confidently. You keep coming back to the key words of the statement throughout your essay, not just at the end of each paragraph. You may touch on a broader consequence of the genre but without quite enough depth. Excellence: You write a fluent, well-structured essay that takes a clear stance on the statement from the start. You show deep knowledge of your genre and can discuss its nuances and complexities. You use theory and secondary evidence to genuinely unpack your argument rather than just name-drop. You discuss wider implications of your genre in a way that strengthens your overall argument and stays relevant to the statement.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91251?

Accepted Answer

1. Choosing a franchise (like the MCU) instead of an actual genre — franchises are not genres 2. Treating the exam statement as an afterthought, only mentioning it briefly at the end of paragraphs instead of weaving it through the whole essay 3. Confusing 'the audience of a text' with 'society in general', leading to unsupported generalisations 4. Writing a chronological history of the genre or going film-by-film instead of organising by ideas or themes 5. Name-dropping media theorists without actually explaining how the theory connects to your argument 6. Relying on plot description rather than using texts as evidence to discuss genre conventions 7. Choosing texts that are inappropriate or that you clearly don't know well enough (e.g. films you haven't properly studied) 8. Thinking a longer essay automatically means a better grade — focus and depth matter more than length 9. Not properly identifying or explaining sub-genres when they are relevant to the argument

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