Sarah BishopPaper 1 Overview: Textual Analysis

CMC 100 9-20-10

The Teenage Search for Identity: Individualism of

female teenagersMagazine: Seventeen

Thesis:• Spread in October 2010 issue of

Seventeen. • Textual analysis of the “pretty chic”

image • “Perfect teen” is constructed to

appear as a unique individual, while in fact the spread is encouraging conformity through consumption. Through a discussion of tone, copy, and layout I will convey the implications of this form of individuality as marketed to teenage girls.

Method and Evidence:Theme 1: Tone

• Girl is naturally cute and confident, and appears to be causal when really she’s professionally dressed and posed.

• The lighter background over products for sale emphasizes them rather than the girl. The soft beige color implies warmth.

• Her skin is flawless due to the lighting; hair is shiny; features airbrushed/enhanced.

• Clothes appear to be diverse when really the same style and colors are repeated.

• Shows a contradiction: Instead of giving teens options of what to wear and how to look, it shows girls strictly what is and what isn’t acceptable. It implies that if the reader doesn’t own these items, then she cannot achieve this glorified “pretty chic” image (idea of conformity through consumption)

Method and Evidence:Theme 2; Copy

• The copy tells you what to do, as if it’s not an option. • It says to create “own” girly look, when really it’s just

telling the reader what to wear to depict the “magazine’s” look.

• The copy assumes the reader has wealth.• This image is a part of “celeb style guide.” In addition to

“pretty chic,” there is “fierce pop” and “sweet grunge.” • Meant to show diversity but are actually establishing a

scale of normality and acceptable styles.• The magazine tries to support articulation by providing

teens with clothing options when really it’s supporting interpellation because it’s limiting individuality by pre-determining what’s best to wear.

• The copy makes it seem as it the outfit is incomplete without all these material goods.

Method and Evidence: Theme 3; Layout

• The size of material goods versus the much smaller size of the girl shows how the magazine is selling the products using image of female.

• The magazine is selling the idea of the skinny model• Image of 3 celebrities serves as a constant reminder

of the goal, which it to look as close to the centered female figure as possible, or to be as famous and popular as the celebrities.

• No scale is followed, products overlap, making the spread casual and fun.

• Interestingly, the outfit the girl is wearing is not for sale; just similar items. Perhaps it is impossible to perfectly achieve this look