Emma Walker 1252 - A2 Media Studies - Textual Analysis of Magazines

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Ancillary Product
Analysis
Name: Emma Walker
Candidate Number: 1252
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. The masthead is
very bright and bold
which makes it
stand out. This
means the audience
will know what the
name of the
magazine is called.
The web address is
placed underneath
the masthead. This is
use of cross media
convergence. This
allows the audience
to connect with the
magazine on a more
personal level as they
can find out behind
the scenes
information online.
The main image
is not the only
image on the
front cover. This
gives the
audience visuals
to assist
alongside the
subheadings in
order to help
reveal the story.
The front
cover has
many
different sub-
stories
covering it to
ensure they
cover a larger
amount of
shows.

3. Analysis of ‘What’s on TV’ Magazine
• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980) the element
of the masthead being in large text and a bold
colour. I feel that this helps the audience to know
what the name of the magazine is as it is eye
catching.
• I would also ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980) the use
of sub-stories throughout the front cover. This
allows the magazine to cover a lot of shows and
therefore have a wider audience as it caters for
more people’s interests.

4. The magazine cover
uses a theme of bright
colours throughout to
stand out. This makes
the magazine more
eye-catching for the
reader. Also the colour
red is used
throughout, this
colour represents
danger so could
indicate the plot of
soap operas as
dangerous and
negative.
The front cover uses
short sentences which
entice the reader. This
also allows more
emotion to be passed
through the sub-
headings.
The price is
featured at
the top of the
page, this
allows the
audience to
know how
much it costs.
There is a
variety of
secondary
images used on
the front cover,
this may attract
the audience as
it is not just
filled with
writing.

5. Analysis of ‘TV Choice’ Magazine
• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980) the use
of multiple pictures on the front cover as it
makes the page look less intimidating as it is
not just covered with writing it is broken down
with pictures.
• I would also ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980) the
use of bright colours as it makes the page
stand out and become eye catching meaning
passersby are more drawn towards it.