Learning Objectives: Develop essay writing technique for the exam. Continue to develop understanding of ethnicity.

Yasmin – essay feedback Think before you start the essay what some of your main points are, for example: –Traditional (old) and westernised (young) Muslims are both represented. –As a young female Muslim Yasmin feels torn between the world represented by her father, who she appears to feel loyal to, and that of her white colleague John. –The Muslim community is represented as being largely separate (or segregated) from the White community. –It is implied that there is some conflict between both these communities.

Yasmin – essay feedback It is important that you give detailed evidence from any text to back up your main points. –Describe the characters: their mise-en-scene (clothes, hair, make- up etc), language (dialogue and dialect), job, friends, family, house, interests, religion etc. –Describe the setting. –Think of particular scenes that capture your main points, for example: Yasmin changing her clothes suggests she belongs to two very different cultural worlds. Segregation and perhaps conflict of Whites and Muslims in the community is suggested by the graffiti on the shutter of the shop of Yasmin’s father and the glare of the local, old White man in the pub at Yasmin, as well as the Muslim community that is depicted. Consider stereotypes and ask if they are reinforced or subverted by the story, setting or any of the characters in it.

Yasmin – essay feedback Always have an introduction and conclusion summarising your main points. Your conclusion should not, however, merely repeat your introduction. You might want to write your introduction after you have written some of the essay – in this case leave a space at the top of the page for it.

Paragraph example “Yasmin appears to be torn between two very different lives: that of the traditional, observant Muslim represented by her father and that of a modern women with westernized values and culture. The scene where she changes from her hijab into jeans, high heels, jumper and sunglasses – symbols, perhaps, of a western world in which she can reveal more of herself physically and emotionally – in a remote field outside of her home town, illustrates not only this conflict but her desire to keep her western identity a secret from her family.”

Yasmin Considering the comments I have made, choose a particular point you would like to make or extend. Write 1 paragraph about that, using detailed evidence from the extract. 10 minutes maximum.

What are the main ethnic groups within London? Consider all the media personalities (actors, presenters, musicians, journalists etc) you can name from the following ethnicities: Chinese Eastern European Pakistani African Latin American Discuss: In mainstream UK TV drama which ethnic groups are under represented? Why?

Ethnic stereotyping Stereotyping is a simplified representation based on exaggeration Task 1: In pairs choose an ethnic group and list some of the common ethnic stereotypes associated with it: Chinese Eastern European African Latin American Task 2: Discuss - in mainstream UK TV drama which ethnic groups are under represented? Why?

Ethnicity Religion is often used as a key signifier – look out for religious figures being negatively represented and secular (non-religious) figures being treated more positively. Western vs non-western (e.g. of Muslim Asians) can be a key binary opposition to look out for (e.g. progressive/modern vs progressive/modern). With black youth in particular, we often see heavily Americanised characteristics through language, dress and musical tastes. You may also get white racist characters to contend with. A key question: are different ethnic groups represented as having more in common than they do differences?

Borat Watch this clip of Borat – what Eastern European stereotypes does he conform to? Should we be less offended by these stereotypes because there is comedy?