MAGAZINES - CODES AND CONVENTIONS

•  Colour used with effect to position and identify audiences 
•  Magazine front covers are crowded with contents to suggest value for money 
•  Cover models usually uses a direct mode of address 
•  Magazine has a clear ‘house’ style which includes font, tone of voice and even language (Heat’s use of terms such as R-Patz)
•  text to image ratio depends on the target audience. Magazines for younger readers include greater use of bullet points, boxes and banners in the presentation 
•  Covers contain mastheads, headlines and cover lines.
• AUDIENCE 
•  How is the text encoded to produce a preferred reading in the audience? 
•  Does the text encourage audience sharing of the content? 
•  Is the audience invited to participate through the content? 
•  Audience is delivered to advertisers through the magazine. How are audiences encouraged to consume? 
•  What Uses and Gratifications can be assumed through the content?
• INSTITUTION 
•  What are the brand values of the institution? 
•  What links does the text make with other products? With other platforms? What does this communicate about the text? 
•  Does the text fit with wider ideology through suggested narrative?
• REPRESENTATION 
•  Look specifically at Gender representation in Gendered magazines. How is the concept of gender constructed? 
•  Are stereotyped used? Confirmed or challenged? 
•  Are Binary Oppositions used? 
• Task: Analyse the BLISS Magazine cover using the prompt questions above.