AS Media Studies Unit G321Preliminary Task

College Magazine Front Cover Analysis

Go on to Google Images and type in “college magazine”. Find two appropriate images of college magazine front covers. After

studying the front covers, answer the following questions about the person(s) featured on the front covers, showing justification of

your decisions.

Question Answer(s) Reason(s)

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AS Media Studies Unit G321Preliminary Task

What breakfast cereal do they

eat?

1. Fruit and Fibre

2. Shredded wheat.

1. Body conscious, does a lot of exercise so

needs energy for throughout the day.

2. Looks smart so will need a cereal that will

keep her brain working throughout lessons.

What car / mode of transport

do they use?

1. Convertible

2. Bus

1. Comes from the US where it’s hotter and lots

of students can drive.

2. Cares more about her education than what

kind of car she drives.

What type of accommodation

do they live in?

1. Big House

2. Average house size

1. Looks like her parents have quite a bit of

money.

2. She looks as if she lives in a stable

household.

What do they drink?1. Water

2. Coffee

1. Health conscious needs to keep hydrated for

her sports.

2. Needs the caffeine boost to be able to help

her perform well in classes.

What TV shows / films do they

watch?

1. Rom Coms, Chick Flicks, Real Life Shows.

2. Science programmes

1. Average girl, likes to watch girly love films.

2. Likes to learn as much as possible.

What type of music do they

like?

1. Pop/RnB

2. Relaxing music

1. Looks like the type of girl who would enjoy

music like that.

2. After a long day of studying she needs time to

relax.

What is their favourite meal?1. Salad

2. Mac and cheese

1. Cares about her weight, doesn’t want to get

fat.

2. Likes home cooked food that her mum

makes.

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AS Media Studies Unit G321Preliminary Task

What sport do they watch /

play?

1. Cheerleading

2. None

1. Dresses like your average cheerleader, looks

quite confident.

2. More of an academic student rather than a

sporty one.

What is their marital status?

1. In relationship with captain of the soccer

team

2. Single

1. All cheerleaders go out with people on soccer

teams.

2. Spends too much time doing schoolwork and

doesn’t have time for a relationship.

Where do they go on holiday? 1. Los Angeles

2. Family Camping Holiday

1. Looks as if her parents may have a lot of

money to spend going to different places.

2. Family orientated girl, likes spending time

with her parents.

Do they vote? If so, who for?1. Doesn’t vote

2. Votes for the green party.

1. Doesn’t look like the type of girl who is

concerned about politics and current affairs.

2. She’s a scientist so will care about the

environment.

What is their idea of a ‘good

night out’?

1. Going out to parties with friends.

2. Spending time with family/close friends.

1. Typical American girl who likes going to

parties and socialising with friends.

2. Has a few closer friends rather than loads,

prefers spending time at home with friends

instead of going out partying.

You should find it easy to answer these questions and the reason for this is fairly straightforward. Magazine publishers work hard to

create a view of their ‘ideal reader’ and, in order to sell this readership to advertisers, they go as far as developing short narratives

about their typical reader. This is something that you should be thinking about for your own magazines.

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