the big issue

the big issue (a magazine we are studying):
media language
representation
social, cultural and political contexts


serif fonts- with the tail on the end of the word
sans serif fonts- without the tail on the end of the word
rule of 3rd- search an image for example
buzz words- e.g. win, free




media language analysis in magazines:

• typography (font types, serif/sans serif, size, colour)
• design and layout (rule of 3rd, structured/unstructured, negative/positive space)
• verbal codes (choice of words, emphasis on words, slogans and tag lines, emotive language, buzz words)
• non verbal codes (codes, images, costumes/props, positioning, make up, juxtapositions, camera angles)
• colours (colour theory)

analysis of the front cover:

• typography- the font is sans serif and very bold in capital letters for the whole of the front cover. the title of the magazine is seemingly melting to create a spooky vibe. classic horror film font. the text is yellow or white.
• design and layout- the rule of thirds is used where the ghosts are as they could fall into 3 of the sections. the pumpkin represents the positive space and is the main focus of the image.
• verbal codes- the title is trick or treaty which applies to the story but is a pun due to the Halloween term "trick or treat". alliteration is used on "brexit blues" as emotive language. nightmare before Christmas has the main character "jack" as a jack'o lantern and could link to brexit being the nightmare that has come before Christmas.
• non verbal codes- there is hair on the pumpkin to represent Boris Johnson as it is a very distinctive feature of him. two of the ghosts have a fire like aura surrounding them and one has a small, blue, icy trail. this could represent the political parties that they each represent. red for labour and blue for conservative. sad or worried look on the pumpkins face that does not coincide with the traditional scary face. he is worried about the deadline arising.
• colours- the blue that is shown in the sky can be known to represent ice and freezing which could relate to the brexit deal being constantly frozen as nothing is happening. the orange that takes up most of the screen is very closely linked to Halloween as it is the colour of pumpkins which relates to the time the issue was released.

representation in magazines:

• gender
• age
• race/ethnicity
• class
• religion
• ability/disability
• sexuality

contexts: the wider issues surrounding a media texts, its production and those who created it.

when applying contexts consider the following:

• how does the text reflect society or a particular culture?
• how far is a media text influenced by society or a particular culture?
• does the text play a part in shaping or changing society of a particular culture?

political contexts:

• reflection- does the product give the consumer any information or knowledge about the political climate at the time of its production?
• messages- is the product biased? is it trying to disparage any particular political viewpoint? is it trying to disparage or criticise  any other political viewpoint?
• influence- has the product been influenced by political viewpoint or ideology?