Unit 6 Task 2A

For this task, we have been told to choose 2 magazines or websites to analyse, just from looking at the cover page. So, I am going to be making two tables for two completely different magazines and then elaborating my thoughts in detail below it. As you can see below, the two magazines I have selected to analyse is the Glamour UK magazine and the Empire magazine, I have chosen these because I read them a lot, which will help make my analysis more detailed and accurate.

Glamour Magazine Empire Magazine

GENREBeauty/Fashion Film Entertainment

Selection of Content

WORDS Glamour Success! You’ve got

this Love in 2015

Empire The Hunger Games

(popular trilogy) This Time Its War!

IMAGES Female celebrity (Anna Kendrick)

Apocalyptic background

Katniss Everdeen (main character)

Cowboy

COLOURS Pink White Lilac

Red White Black Flame red

FONTS Bold – symbolising

confidence Simple Easy to read Capitol letters – for

the title

Bold Dramatic Eye-catching Capitol letters for

the title and sub-headings

Construction of Content

NARRATIVES Single image of Anna

Kendrick, all focus on her

Shows confidence, power and independence

Clothing is very edgy and daring – including colours that stand out away from the magazines layout (using dark red and black)

As if suggesting that women can be whatever they want to be and wear what they want – present day, unlike past

She is also shown quite natural, hair hangs naturally, minimal make-up (possibly trying to symbolise that all women are beautiful when they’re themselves and not hiding behind make-up or hairstyles.

Main image of Katniss Everdeen, fictional female heroin from a apocalyptic world

Shows that men aren’t just the heroes anymore

Women can do as much as men

Shows inspiration Women can fight

too, encouraging the equal rights between genders?

Famous ‘Mockingjay’ symbol shown – Sign of rebellion in the film series – helps fans seem more interested? Symbolises hope in the movies

Familiarity Apocalyptic

background used to show where the story is up to and maybe give away slightly what’s going to happen in the movie – war and fighting? (epic,

dramatic) She’s wearing

black clothing, possibly to symbolise that there’s still loss and sadness to come for her and the other characters

LAYOUT Basic, but effective Eye-catching Easy to read Nicely spread out

Dramatic Exciting Eye-catching Includes enough

interesting facts/information

CAPTIONS Success! You got

this! 100 winning looks

for NOW Anna Kendrick (draw

fans in) Beach Hair Every Day What to Wear All

Summer

THIS TIME ITS WAR!

THE HUNGER GAMES

“It feels unfinished” – makes the readers curious as to what it is referring too.

AT LAST! A TRULY GREAT VAMPIRE COMEDY

BATMAN V GOD

ANCHORAGE Very feminine Independent women

Dramatic Adventurous Exciting War – ready for

battleCodes & Conventions

LINGUISTIC SUCCESS! Kendrick chooses to

hold her dress up to her thigh, as if to say this is her choice (intended to be sexy?)

WAR! Fighting Action

VISUAL Nicely spread out Welcoming Organised Quite ‘girly’

Nicely spread out BOOM (stands out) Also quite

organised Awe feeling

(breath taking)

SYMBOLIC Femininity Independence Confidence Style Inspirational – Anna

Kendrick

Action packed Drama Adventure Excitement

Mode of Address Addressed to

females People who love

fashion and beauty

Cinema-goers Film lovers Media students Media related job

roles?

Glamour Magazine

To start off, I am going to be discussing the points I have selected, in the table above, for the Glamour magazine cover I have chosen, expressing why I feel that these pointers are important and why I think they chose to include certain aspects. To help make the explanations easier, I am going to group the sub-headings together, with ones that are similar to each other so that I can explain them as a whole, instead of individually.

Words, Captions, Fonts and Linguistic

For the start of my analysis, I am going to be grouping together thee points: words, captions, fonts and linguistic, so that I can discuss how they are similar and why each thing has been used.

For the word content of the cover, I have stated that the magazine title ‘Glamour’ is a word that definitely stands out, along with the sub-headings ‘Success! You’ve got this!’ and ‘Love in 2015’. Now, I have chosen these because, if you look at the cover image, they are the ones that scream at you when you look at it, Glamour, as I’ve previously stated, because it’s the title and the word alone is very feminine and intriguing to those observing it, meaning that it will draw people in to buying it and finding out what the magazine includes. The ‘Success’ sub-heading, I feel, has been made larger than the other headings and more bold because people want to know how to be successful and what it all means, and then there’s the ‘you’ve got this’ that follows it, which I feel makes things a lot more personal to the reader, maybe for someone who is feeling quite let down about something they want to succeed and haven’t yet, it will also make them want to know how to gain this success. And finally, ‘Love in 2015’, this would definitely stand out to those who haven’t found love yet or people who are struggling in their relationships, almost like it’s their advice and guidance. Glamour probably included this because almost every woman has been through ‘love’ problems or obstacles and will want to know how to overcome them.

Relating these pointers to the captions section, because I have already discussed three of my main captions in the ‘words’ section above, I will be discussing the smaller, but equally visual, sub-headings. The first one being ‘100 winning looks for NOW’ which will draw readers, who are interested in fashion and style, towards the magazine, in need of wanting to know what the magazine believes to be the latest top fashion styles and fashion icons. The simply sub-heading of ‘Anna Kendrick’ also stands out as it is the name of the actress, who is on the cover and is also someone that mostly everyone knows about, from the Twilight and Pitch Perfect movies, therefore meaning that readers will want to know what she has to say. The next two summer related sub-headings ‘Beach Hair Every Day’ and ‘What to Wear All Summer’ and I believe that these two captions, in particular, have been included because these are tow of the most important things, girls think about during the summer months, and will want to know what this years summer fashion and summer hairstyles are, encouraging them to buy the magazine, this caption heavily relates to the ‘love in 2015’ as this could also refer to the summer love and not just relationship love.

As well as what the captions and words are saying, the way that they’re shown is also very important, which is where the ‘fonts’ section comes in. All of these captions and words that I’ve explained above have similar characteristics, the first being that the writing is very bold, possibly to symbolise confidence and that fact that all of their readers can be bold and confident if they believe in themselves. The second being that the font is very simple, but effective, it’s nothing extravagant, just an average font but I think this helps to increase the effect it has on the magazines readers, referring to the fact that you don’t have to be dressed up or completely change yourself to be confident or special. Relating to that point, these pointers also help to make the title and sub-headings easy to read, without causing the readers difficulty in understanding or seeing the words. The final point is the reoccurring use of capitol letters throughout the cover, again, I feel that this is used to help the magazine cover stand out and the captions pop out, so that people are encouraged to read them.

The next thing I am gong to be discussing is the ‘linguistic’ side of the magazine and to start off, the first thing I’ve spotted is the word ‘success’ and this links in to linguistic by how the denotation of the word is that it is a ‘hot word’, as it is happy and confidence based. Also the connotation of the word is quite small. Firstly, this word means the different meanings of the word, and ‘SUCCESS’ is, as I’ve stated, restricting because it the word could mean, happiness, confidence and rewarding. So overall, there’s only one emotion that could really back the word up, and that is happiness. The next thing, relating to linguistic is the fact that, in the image, Anna Kendrick is holding up her dress, so it’s showing part of her thigh, it isn’t the fact that she’s showing her thigh, but it’s the fact that she chooses to show it and that it’s her choice to do so, that makes it linguistic.

Symbolic, Visual, Layout

For this next section of analysis, i have decided to group together, symbolic, visual and layout as they seem to connect with one another and the answers i have pointed out in the table, seem to be similar.

Symbolically, the cover firstly shows femininity by having a successful female actress as their main eye-catcher, this could symbolise many things from confidence to independence and this is shown by the simple fact that Anna Kendrick has been photographed alone, as if she doesn't need anybody else to be who she is and who she wants to be, which would appeal to female readers, and possibly even more to the younger readers who know her from her movies, and look up to her for inspiration. The next is style, shown simply by the type of dress, Glamour have chosen to put Kendrick in for her shoot, it's a very bold dress with very daring colours, mixed with reds and blacks, colours often situated with winter or 'dark' events, but she's wearing it to stand out, to pull herself away from the crowd and I feel that this has also been used to draw the readers in, simply by the reasons I have expressed above. It is also very eye-catching, as the magazines colours range from pink, white, so the fact that the dress is coloured with these darker colours, makes the magazine, and the actress, even more eye-catching, yet again suggesting confidence and boldness.

Visually, I feel that the magazine is very nicely spread out, meaning that it isn't crammed with too much information, which would make possible readers drift away from the idea of buying it because of how much there is too take in. But it isn't, the sub-headings are spread nicely around the main 'attraction' that is the female actress, and the title that is located nicely, and boldly, above the actress. The next point being that this magazine looks very welcoming, with it's bright colours and happy atmosphere it gives off with the way the actress is shown physically. 

The magazine also comes across as very organised, for reasons similar to the fact that it is nicely spread out. Visually, it is also quite 'girly', by the use of the bright colours and the sub-headings chose to be shown on the cover page, all of these things build together to help appeal to women and those who are interested in the things that have been shown on the cover.

Colours, Images

I was about to discuss the colours and images shown on the cover page but as I have included both of these in the paragraph above, I feel that I don't have to go into as much detail in this section as I have said all that I needed, and wanted, to say above.

Narrative, Anchorage

The final few pieces of information I am going to be discussing is the narrative and the anchorage of the magazine. Firstly the narrative is expressed in many

ways, one being the singled image on Anna Kendrick, as all of the focus is on her, which shows confidence, power and independence. The clothes she wears in the image are also very edgy and daring, the fact that the colours stand out away from the magazines layout, using the dark reds and blacks. I feel that this suggests that women can be whatever they want to me and wear what they want, referring to the modern day capabilities that women have, unlike those that they had in the past. She is also shown quite natural, hair hangs naturally, minimal make-up (possibly trying to symbolise that all women are beautiful when they’re themselves and not hiding behind make-up or hairstyles.

Anchorage is the next section of information i am going to be discussing. The two things that i have stated for the anchorage are that it is a very feminine magazine and that it shows an independent women. You could argue that the image of Anna Kendrick coming across as confident and independent alone, shows how feminine the magazine is, but the image simply bounces off the captions, words and colours incuded on the front cover, all of which simply builds together to create the feminine feel to the magazine and this is what i believe, anchors the magazine, it gives everything a common purpose, to appeal to women and if any of these pointers were wrong or incorrectly chosen by the Glamour team, then it might not appeal as well to women and would therefore be less successful, sales wise.

Mode of Address

Talking about who the magazine is address too, obviously, as I have stated many times above, it is aimed towards females, again, the reasons I have explained above and more specifically, those who love and enjoy fashion and beauty, and this is shown mainly by the choice of captions used on the cover page, as at least two of them involve e the most up to date fashion tips and how to look good in Summer, all of which will draw those people in and make them want to buy it, whether if it is part of their job or whether it's just pure curiousity, the magazine is aimed at those people, and like this edition, among all of the others, Glamour enjoy making sure that these people know that their magazine is for them.

Empire Magazine

The next magazine I have chosen to analyse is Empire, and just like my Glamour analysis above, all of the pointers I have wrote in the table above, will be explained below, where I have split the factors into groups so that the commonalities between the answers are easier to understand.

Words, Captions, Fonts and Linguistic

For the beginning of my Empire magazine analysis, i will be starting with the words, section of my descriptions. The first word that came to my attention was the magazines title, Empire, and I imagine, it can to the readers attention too, by how the word itself is very dramatic and curious, it makes you want to read on, almost like,just by looking at the title, you know that the interior of the magazine

is going to be just as good, so i feel that it is a very participant in drawing readers in. The next is 'The Hunger Games' because of the fact that it is an international film series, that almost everybody has at least heard about, even more so, really enjoy the films which is why i feel that it would appeal to possible readers because personally, this was the first Empire edition i read, simply because i wanted to know more about the next instalment, and i feel that this is probably the same for many others. This being said, I think that Empire do a good job in knowing what films and what words to put on the cover, and what's 'in' now in the movie industry, just like they did for this edition. The next set of words is 'This Time It's War!' now, it alone is eye-catching and eye-opening as people will want to know how the 'war' will turn out and why it's eventually come to this, therefore making the readers ask themselves numerous questions, effects like this simply coming from a few words on the cover, something which Empire have, yet again, done very well.

Captions is the topic I will now be discussing and because it is so close to the 'words' section, I will be analysing quotes that I haven't yet mentioned. The first being ' “It feels unfinished” now this, i feel, makes the readers curious as to what it is referring too, making them want to open the magazine and find the answer, almost like the caption alone is persuading them to buy the magazine, Empire, yet again, showing very clever skills in persuasion and drama. "AT LAST! A TRULY GREAT VAMPIRE COMEDY" is the next caption and without even reading it and seeing it completely in capitols definitely drew me in to analyse this caption, just like it would with other readers because it's as if the magazine is screaming at you to read this one sentence and afterwards you won't want to put the magazine down. It's very in your face, but in a good way. That, added on to what the caption says, the word that stands out among the caption is vampire, as this genre of movies has become very popular in the recent years, possibly stemming from the Twilight series, therefore many people enjoy vampire movies, and the fact that it is a comedy, makes it even better because vampire comedies are very rarely seen, and I personally, have never actually seen one. So, the uniqueness around this genre of movies is definitely something, which would draw readers in. The final quote is "BATMAN V GOD" and i feel that every single part of this caption is perfect for drawing people in to buying and reading the magazine, the first being the same as the last caption, the fact that it is in capitol, bold letters, something which would make peoples eyes drift to that specific caption. The next being the words that make up the caption Batman, who is a very popular and considered powerful, superhero, who a lot of people love, next to God who is probably the most powerful thing in the entire world and is someone who nearly the entire world 'pray' too, and they're going against each other, it's something that people have never heard of, it's brand new, and people will definitely want to know what all this is about and why they are going against each other and want to know what the outcome might be, if it's not already obvious.

Fonts is the next thing I will be analysing and to start off, the writing is very bold, which gives off a dramatic feel and is also very eye-catching and eye-opening to those who read it. The next factor is the use of capitol letters is some of the captions and the title, which, like the boldness, adds drama and excitement to the

words of the cover, making them more than just words and more than just a simple caption, making people more determined to buy the magazine.

For the magazines' next factor, Linguistic, I feel that there's three words that really jump out of the cover and are especially helpful in selling the magazine. The first being 'WAR!' because it's a very abrupt word, filled with emotions such as drama, sorrow, fear but as well as this, includes freedom, faith and determination, meaning that it's a word which can be taken in two different ways; destruction or determination, words which are very powerful an very inspirational, which is why i feel that this word alone could definitely make someone pick this magazine up. Linking in to this is the word 'Fighting' something which is done in a war but can also be taken in two similar ways, one being someone fighting for freedom or someone being forced to fight, which again, could have a much deeper meaning for the readers, creating curiosity in their minds. 'Action' is also another strong word, again, which has two meanings, one being taking action because a person feels that they have too and the other taking action because they want too and overall, all of these words would draw people in emotionally, because these words mean something to everyone.

Symbolic, Visual, Layout

When talking about symbolism for this magazine, a lot of things stand out to me, the first being that it's very action-packed and dramatic, I feel that this is shown by the images shown on the cover, the main aspect being the background, which shows an apocalyptic, war stricken area. This was possibly chosen to draw people in, make the cover more eye-catching and unique to others like it, symbolising devastation and destruction. I then think that this aspect, compared with a very confident Jennifer Lawrence, as her character in the Hunger Games movies, Katniss Everdeen, definitely symbolises adventure, excitement and of course, confidence by her physical and emotional expressions that she shows in this image. To add on, I feel that this would help the magazine appeal to women, showing that not only men can fight, but women can too, and if they have a goal and determination, we can do great things, things that people didn't think we could do.

Visually, the magazine is nicely spread out, containing enough information to draw people in, but not too much to get them confused and to put the magazine down. The next factor being that it's very BOOM, as in it stands out among other magazines and draws people towards it even if they don't usually like this kind of magazine. Everything on the cover is also quite organised, all of the captions and words are fitted and placed nicely around the main images and are in places where they don't hide the background image, allowing it to also give off an effect to people viewing it. The magazine itself also gives off an 'awe' feeling, the words and images are very breath taking and unique, the background especially, it makes people think about whether our world could actually end up like that one day.

The layout of the magazine is similar to the visual side of it. The first factor being that it is dramatic and exciting, again, built from the captions and images shown on the cover, also making it very eye-catching, which I feel is a good thing for

magazines like this as it wants to attempt to make people even more excited for the upcoming movies and it also helps to get people more excited by movies generally. The cover also included enough interesting facts and information in the layout so that people don't have to open the magazine to find out what's inside all they have to do is read one word or a sentence of words.

Colours, Images

The colour variety used on the cover are quite slim but have been chosen very wisely, in my opinion, as these colours range from red, white, black and flame red all of which are very dark, intimidating colours and I feel that these are perfect colours to match the stories on the cover and the entire feel of the magazine. It helps to express the danger and adventure that the magazine wants to show, keeping the cover dark and mysterious will simply lift the curiosity of those who see it.

Now, the images that are shown on the cover, have been spoken about earlier in my essay and these images include an apocalyptic background, a full body image of the character, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games movies and as the new instalment of this series is the magazine main 'attraction' for this edition, both images link together, as The Hunger Games movies are based in a dystopian world. Both images suggest drama, destruction and determination, shown mainly in the physical and emotional expression of Jennifer Lawrence’s' character.

Narrative, Anchorage

Discussing the narrative of the magazine, there is, in fact, a lot to say about this specific factor of the cover. The first being that the main image of Katniss Everdeen, who is a fictional female heroin from a apocalyptic world suggests that men aren't just the heroes any more and that women can do as much as men, which shows inspiration and confidence for all women who are reading, and looking, at the magazine. Leading on from this point, the image also shows that women can fight too, encouraging the equal rights between genders, that hasn't always been there. Then there's the famous ‘Mockingjay’ symbol shown on a wall in the background image which, in the movies, is a sign of rebellion and hope, will help fans, of both the movies and the books, seem more interested. This will also give a sense of familiarity to the entire image of the cover, giving it more of a Hunger Games feel. Then there's the apocalyptic background, which is possibly used to show where the story is up to and maybe even give away slightly what’s going to happen in the movie, as if the editors are trying to give off a 'reading between the lines' reconstruction in the form of images, showing the effects of war and fighting.

The factors that I feel complete the anchorage of the magazine, and group together to make it what it is are the dramatic, adventurous and exciting emotions that are built up by the magazines characteristics. One of them being the repetitive symbolism and expression of war, with Katniss Everdeen being ready for battle and being led into battle by a common goal, in the movies, of

wanting to be free. The entire feel of the magazine, created by the images, the captions and the colours of the magazine is what, I believe, really makes the magazine what it is, how all of these things link together to make the main movie of that edition even greater on one page, as if it's giving you a sneak peak into what it will be like on the big screen, it could also make readers think 'if it looks this good on one page, imagine how good the movie is going to be'. So overall, I feel that the Empire team have done a great job in having all of the factors bounce off one another and compliment one another to make the magazine what it is, great.

Mode of Address

Finally, discussing who the magazine is addressed too, I think that this magazine is mainly aimed at: Cinema-goers, film lovers, media students and possibly even media related job roles all because of the same reason, Empire is a film magazine and includes spoilers of those films, such as teasers and exclusive images, as well as some interviews with the stars in those movies, which is something that all people in the categories above like and need.