USES GRATIFICATIONS THEORY

The gratifications theory suggests that users of media have imperative part to play in selecting the media they use. The theorists add that media users look for the best possible media source to suit their situation/ genre etc. Tis theory is an approach to understanding why and how people actively seek out specific media to satisfy specific needs.

There a different types of techniques they use to grab a readers attention and make them feel familiar with it. DIVERSIONPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPSPERSONAL IDENTITYSURVEILLANCE

DIVERSION

Diversion is the need to get away/ hide from reality and become lost in ‘the media world’, such as coming home from school or working and diving into reading a favourite magazine, book or watching the latest drama on TV either everyday or just once.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Personal relationship is fulfilling the need of companionship by using the media. Moreover, the fact that liking a specific music, band, fashion et,. can help you socialize with others with similar taste over facebook, twitter and many other social networking sites. This leads to then joining social media groups because of the influence of media upon society.

PERSONAL IDENTITY

The use of Personal Identity in the media helps identify ourselves. For example documentaries gives us greater knowledge on our world and its history identifying where our generation came from.

SURVEILLANCE

Surveillance in the media helps us find out about what’s going around us whether its about celebrities lifestyle and mishaps, or the news of the general public. A lot of people find interest in what their ‘idols’ get up to, so they can ignore performing their own areas of expertise.

APPLYING THE THEORY TO EXISTING MAGAZINES

Diversion used in the magazine is from the popularity of the magazine’s title ‘Q’. The magazine takes our audience away from reality as they know it contains information that readers are interested in and the unique title of Q creates a simplicity of life in the readers mind, by just having the one letter.Personal relationships within the magazine includes gossip and social sites that readers can retrieve information and discuss with others with similar interest the latest gossip and news. From this magazine it uses the sell like ‘world exclusive’ emphasizes big news that people all around the world will want to hear and talk about.Personal identity relates to the readers idols, celebrities included in the magazine, if the reader was a fan of Kings of Leon they would immediately want to pick up the magazine, saying something about their identity and what they are interested in.Surveillance is when readers what to find out about their idols. Q have a big word exclusive in this edition about the Kings Of Leon attracting readers to buy the magazine to read about this big news and have them intrigued to find out the latest big world exclusive. That’s why having a mid-shot photo of them on the front creates an even bigger attraction for readers to buy it.

APPLYING IT TO MY MAGAZINE

Applying the uses and gratifications theory to my magazine, I see as very useful technique. It will help me create a front cover that suits and attracts readers that are interested in my chosen genre of jazz. I want my cover to have readers who want to escape away from the reality of their lives for a while and give them the pleasure of reading up on the latest gossip on artists and celebrities who they idolize or want to find out about. I also want it to be able to help find readers sense of identity and socialize with others of similar interests via me social networking sites that people can discuss their hobbies and interests with each other.