Creating Meaning: Semiotics

Signs are said to be empty shapes - we put meaning to them

Semiotics is the study of sign systems which allows us to de construct media texts to understand how meaning is being created. A sign is the smallest element of meaning. Signs will be grouped together to create a larger unit of meaning; these are called codes which can be decoded or interpreted. 
Polysemic
Polysemic refers to the capacity of all the signs i.e. to have more than one meaning. Polysemy therefore also applies to the ideas that many signs will be 'ironic' 'symbolic' and 'ideixical'

Signifier - Object it's self e.g  a rose

Signified - what it represent e.g love and purity

Denotation - 'The sign denotes' The literal meaning of the sign.
Connotation - 'The sign connotes' The interpreted meaning of a sign or signs.

A rose denotes nature/flowers but in context could connote growth love or passion.