Unit 51 Page Layout & Design

PR8-b: Editing and Processing Text to Meet a Brief

Product Research: Double Page Spread

Magazine Articles

All magazine articles follow a particular framework or structure.

Headline:

All stories have a headline, or ‘masthead’ which gives the reader an idea of what the article

is about. Headlines in music magazines often use puns or other techniques, such as

alliteration, to captivate their audience.

Introduction:

As the first paragraph in an article, the introduction is very important. Its contents tell the

reader in more detail what the article is about. Research into how people read magazines

shows that most people read the headline first, followed by the first paragraph of the story. If

the introduction is not interesting then most people will to continue reading the article. The

first paragraph is often known as a kicker printed in a bold font.

Features of magazine articles

Informal language

Use of puns

Use of alliteration Exaggeration for effect

Slang

Colloquial language (chatty)

Informal names used

Short, snappy sentences

Heightened language (over the top)

Adjectives are often exciting and risque There is a focus upon appearance/style

Frequent use of elision e.g. won’t, don’t. (another informal technique)

Task

When editing your colleague’s article, in your role as ‘sub-editor’, look for examples of the following areas below and pass comments upon them.

Record any changes that need to be made and also mark them using ctrl-alt M on the original article

On your blog, present a copy of the original marked article, as well as the table below and the redraft that your colleague completes. You also need a copy of the edited work you’ve done for your colleague, on your blog

Present the work on your blog as PR8-B: Editing And Processing Text to Meet a Brief

Language Content Style Proof read:

Spelling/Gramm

ar/Punctuation

Headlines

Use of informal/casual

language in order to appeal

to audience on a personal

level- ‘pumped up’, ‘tunes’.

Aspects of the language

showcase the interviewee’s

social background in terms

of his ability to speak

English- such as ‘boyhood’

instead of ‘childhood’.

Non-lexical conversation

sounds such as ‘ummm’ to

add to realism.

Pull quote- ‘I love living in

Manchester, I love the clubs,

the fans, everything about it

suits me.’

Use of snappy sentences-

‘it’s absolutely great’, ‘this

w ill be interesting’.

Colloquial language- using

‘well’, ‘ummm’ before

constructing sentence

provides casual, chatty feel

therefor showcasing the

articles style.

Although minimal use of

elision is used, when it is

provided it adds to the

chattiness and informalness

of the article therefore

engaging audiences.

Although certain

aspects are informal, the purpose of the article is to entertain

and give us a little ‘insight’ and update into Sergio Aguero’s life at the moment.

The journalist has provided answers to questions that are

more of an interest rather than factual. This includes providing us with an

‘insiders’ look on the interviewees personal daily life, as well as his teammates behind the

scenes and what he hopes for his future in a more relaxed manner

rather than on a serious note. The factual points that

have been presented are most prominent w ithin the opening statement of the article

rather than within the actual interview and are common knowledge to most

sports fans. Audience are able to skim through it and still

know what is being discussed which is to be expected from an entertainment article,

they should not feel as if they’re heavily reading and therefore minimal text is used.

The article is very

informal and does

not discuss anything

of importance

significance. The

tone of language of

both the interviewee

and interviewer is

very relaxed and

casual, whilst

talkative language is

used. The questions

asked are of a

‘humorous’ nature

and are not intended

to be serious. The

interviewees replies

vary between being

short and snappy or

slightly longer

dependent on the

question asked,

however as

previously

mentioned they are

chatty. The interview

style perfectly

represents the

casual style the

article intends to out

across- there’s a

casual reading style

to it. Readers don’t

require their full

focus in order to take

it all in.

Although the article

makes sense and is

structured correctly,

repetition of words can

be found throughout-

suggested changes

have been made

during proof reading.

The language used

throughout is of an

informal nature which

suits this particular

genre of magazine and

audience the article is

intended for; however

recommendations

have been made to

shorten particular

words in order to make

them elisions. It’s a

very fluid interview

and transitions

between responses

are smooth-readers

are not left with un-

answered questions.

On the whole the

article makes sense

with only one

suggestion for both a

sentence to be re-

worded and a

punctuation mistake.

A headline has yet to be

provided and this has been

mentioned during the proof-

read, however my colleague

has provided a pull quote

from the article, which will aid

in drawing in readers.