essay question

Q: explain how the representations in magazines reflect their contexts. refer to the big issue covers you have studied to support your answer. (10) point, evidence, theory, evaluate




in the big issue cover staring lin manuel-miranda, masculinity is presented in a much more non conventional sense to how it is most commonly  presented in the media. lin manuel is very musically and drama oriented with many of his successes being in the field of acting, song writing or performances on stage. this presents halls representation theory as the magazine are using their platform to present a different appearance of a famous heterosexual male whom is interested in stereotypically unconventional activities. by putting a man like this on the cover it will attract audiences who wish to have freedom in their lives and feel suffocated by the impossible standards of masculinity they have to present. lin manuel has a purple and gold sparkly backdrop which further reiterates the step towards acceptance and normalisation of activities and interests seen to be more feminine.




as well as this the cover also represents the more wealthy and famous population as being down to earth and relatable. lin manuel-miranda wears a beige coloured polo shirt that is not perfectly well fitted with the sleeves roughly rolled up, as well as having un-kept facial hair. this can link to the theory of postmodernism as we usually only see the simulacra of celebrities and it is impossible to know what their reality is, hyper reality. by having a more casual look that is most common of an everyday reader it begins to eliminate the separation between reader and celebrity. it makes him more relatable and real to audiences




























































Q: analyse why the big issue magazine has used an intertextual approach to brexit on its front cover (15)
in your answer you must :analyse the use of intertextuality to create meaning in the source. make judgements and reach a conclusion about the advantages of this use of intertextuality to the big issue magazine.