Intertextuality

Intertextuality

Intertextuality is the shaping of a text's meaning by another text.

• The process of creating references to any kind of media text via another media text.
• A type of media pays homage to another media
• Recognition of intertextual reference adds to the audiences reading of a text

Julia Kristeva

• She argued against the concept of a text as an isolated entity
• ‘Is constructed of a mosaic of quotations: any texts is the absorption and transformation of another’
• Some texts refer directly to each other such as ‘remakes’
• The interpretation of these references is influenced by the audiences prior knowledge of other text.

Types of intertextuality

• Overt intertextuality
• Subtle intertextuality
• Deliberate intertextuality
• Latent intertextuality
• Obligatory intertextuality
• Optional intertextuality

Overt intertextuality

• Very obvious
• Cannot fail to notice it

Subtle intertextuality

• Not as noticable
• Discreet

Deliberate intertextuality

• Producer purposely made the reference (most common)

Latent intertextuality

• Hasn't deliberately made references
• Unconsciously made the reference.

Obligatory intertextuality

• Linked with deliberate
• The audience must understand in order to grasp the meaning

Optional intertextuality

• It is useful to understand the reference, but it is not essential.