Maryasiye Kircin AS Media Studies 'Contents Page And DPS Textual Analysis' - Candidate Number 1158

1. Music Magazine –
Contents Page and DPS
Textual Analysis
Name: Maryasiye Kircin
Candidate Number: 1158
Centre Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Centre Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – AS Level
Unit G321: Advanced Portfolio

2. Main Image – The largest feature
on the page, through their clothing
(like the jewellery) it gives an idea
of gangster imagery, they both have
charisma as well due to the pose,
for example the raising of the
eyebrow and the hands in pockets,
it insinuates their significance in
relation to their article.
Contents Title – the verbal code
of the ‘A’ side connotes this is the
best magazine, and XXL have the
best stories for the readers to
take in. Also it gives a sense of
successful rate of entertainment
to the audience.
Date/Issue detail - enables the
consumers to understand how
recent this specific issue is.
Page Number
– Allows
reader to
know what
page what
story is on
Subheadings – Language
relates to reader, e.g.
‘hustlin’, it is slang that
the reader can
understand.
Subline – In each subline
some words are bold to
pop out to the reader and
attract them to read that
page, eg: SOULJA
BOY/INNOCENT. The
main reason for
This could be to
relate with Star appeal
(Richard Dyer)
Or summarise the
Subline.
Date/Issue detail – The web address is bold; they could be advertising their webpage to
consumers as more stories could be on there.
XXL Logo; Brand identity –
it reminds the consumer
what they are reading.

3. Contents Title - XXL also have ‘the B-side’
where they would add more article
summaries from ‘the A-side’.The verbal code
of ‘the B-side’ may be that these articles are
not as interesting/important as ‘the A-side’.
Images and Sublines -On this side there tend to be
more images present and less description in the
sublines, this can give an inference of the reader
being able to understand and separate the
information. If XXL used constant writing, it may bore
the reader as their target audience are of working
class; they wouldn’t want fully detailed descriptions
constantly. The images also relate with the
representative of the target audience being male,
this is evident from the explicit image of the woman
or the men posing or having tattoos/chains.
Date/Issue Detail/Web Address
XXL Logo and Brand Identity - repeated.
This is different from ‘the A-side’, it states
“(departments)” instead of “(features)”, this
may explain why there are a range of images
compared to more writing from ‘the A-side’.

4. No Drop Capital, Pull Quote or Page/Web Address included.
DPS Title – the
verbal code of
‘Rules’ indicates
that they are the
best rappers at
this moment of
time, and they are
the ones to look
out for in terms
with their music.
Stand First - They are quoted as ‘Freshest new rap crew’, the way they have
been photographed supports this. ‘Freshest’ is also slang with the target
audience, allowing the reader to understand the hint of the story more.
Magazine Credits
Story

5. • This Image is integrated large around the DPS to allow the reader to clearly see the image of this group and what
news/story they can read about them. Also, the fact that A$AP mob are spread across the article, this gives a
denotation of domination from the rap group, it reinforces that they are a ‘mob’ as they have their image spread
out onto 2 pages.
• The image shows the group all dressed in unique and noticeably Rap and Hip-Hop outfits. They are wearing
recognizable items of clothing that Hip Hop artists are usually seen wearing such as caps, baggy jeans and jackets, it
connotes the stereotypical characteristics of the genre; violence, rage, ‘cool’, in-charge, etc.
• All seven members of the group are creating rapport with that reader. One is swearing at the camera, another
gritting their teeth with someone else looking down to the ground inferring that they are unique. It also connotes a
freedom and natural feel to the image as it doesn’t look staged and something that isn’t realistic, they look original,
and not a stereotypical copy, attracting audience as the positioning and poses of the images signify (De Saussure) in
the competition of rappers; the style and ‘swagger’ that they have, and as the main aim of rap music is for their
lyrics to connect to the audience; the pose helps this as well. The main idea of ‘Star Appeal’ by Richard Dyer is ot
create the sense of uniqueness and rapport with the reader, and A$AP mob have done this.

6. Most magazine pages tend to include a pull quote, drop capital or page/web
Address.
- The aim of a pull quote is to pick out the most effective quote that highlights the
article and grab the reader, in another DPS from XXL, this pull quote is
represented;
Making the Heading have a pull quote is effective because it answers the who,
where, and when, but doesn't’t reveal the what or the why, this does grab the
reader as they would want to read into the article to find out. It takes up half the
page to catch the readers attention so this is the most likely thing the reader is
going to read. It also sets the mood to the article in relation to the artists feelings
in relation to the article.
The verbal code of the swearing with the asterix shows XXL is not trying to offend
the reader, but warn them that the small text is going to be informal as well,
intriguing the reader into what causes the swear words and who says it.

7. Magazines, like XXL use a drop capital to recreate brand
identity as the letter would most likely be in the same
font as the masthead logo. Also, it directs where the
beginning of the article is.
XXL and magazines also tend to show page and web
address information, in the bottom left right corner of
each XXL magazine page, they do not repeat the logo
each time as it could annoy consumers, however, they do
repeat (Steve Neale) their website link next to the date
and the page number, so the consumers are completely
reminded of the web-page where they could potentially
access more information.

8. The table shows what I intend to repeat, inspired by Steve Neale - 1980
Contents Page DPS
My star image on my contents page will
relate with the biggest story that will be in
that months’ magazine issue. I will also aim
put a quote underneath it as well for effect
and to give a hint to the
story.
I will make sure for my DPS my Star image will
relate with the story and the image will be
effective like XXLS magazine’s DPS that I
analysed, the image of the artist will create
rapport with the reader and target audience,
and I want the theme of a ‘natural’ look to be
portrayed. I want to do this because it allows
my reader to feel inspired and a part of the
music industry, benefitting them.
My Contents Title will be of a bold sans-serif
font so it looks simple yet effective; enabling
my magazine to look more professional.
I will make sure the language I select in my
DPS is chosen to my target audience. E.g.
‘Freshest’
My subheadings and page numbers are clear
so the reader can understand easily what
page to visit to satisfy what page they would
like to read, also the language of the
subheading will be effective.
My DPS title will attract my reader and the
language will relate with my target audience.

9. • The main idea of creating a magazine is for it to be successful, and I need to
make sure my magazine gets sales. The only way I can make sure PULSE
Magazine gains sales is to attract my target audience.
• From gathered research XXL’s target audience is 78% male that tend to be
working class, 67% are African Americans and 44.7% are currently in
education.
• The main way I will achieve this is by making sure the language relates with
my audience, I will need to use the restricted code, like slang or swear words
that my reader can understand and can use to create a rapport with. I will also
need a consistent colour scheme so the reader can understand what piece of
information goes where; so they may enjoy the article more, and want to read
more issues in the future.
• In relation to Star Appeal – Richard Dyer,my images must recreate the genre of
Rap and Hip-Hop, they need to look natural and not look to fixed, the pose
and specific lighting needs to be correct in order for the image to stand out
and give off connotations such as dominance, or significance with the idea of
hierarchy.