Ancillary Task 1

1. Research Into Similar Texts
Ancillary Task 1
Magazine Front Cover Analysis

2. Research Into Similar Magazine Texts
Main cover line
The bold and bright main
cover line is eye catching
and will draw the
audience’s attention
Value for money
the use of price on this magazine is
effective as it’s persuasive ‘ONLY’ and is
large in comparison to other features so
the audience
Buzzwords
the use of ‘secret revealed’
is effective as it is
persuading the audience
to read the cover story
resulting in them
becoming interested in the
soap.
Colour
The use of colour for the background
is something I intend to use as it is eye
catching and makes the magazine
stand out on the shelf.
Target Audience
The target audience for this TV
listings magazine is socio-economic
groups C1 and C2. The
magazine is aimed at young
people and they aim to appeal to
a mass audience.
Stars
The inclusion of Sharon and
Johnny on the front cover is likely
to sell the magazine as these
characters (especially Johnny)
don’t usually hold a storyline big
enough to take the front cover of
the listings magazine.
Representations
The characters on the front cover are
portrayed as countertypes as it is
usually conventional for the male to
possess more power and therefore
would be positioned at the front of the
cover. Johnny looks worried in the
background and this could represent
him to be weak and vulnerable. Sharon
has her lips pursed and this represents
her to be strong and powerful.
Camera framing and angles
The two shot in the middle of the
magazine is really effective as it shows
the relationship between the two
characters. The image could display
Sharon looking superior and Johnny
looking inferior and guilty.
Language- font size
The word ‘KILLER’ is a very ‘heavy’ word it
is in bold and is much bigger than the rest
of the text in this cover line. This sells the
magazine as it attracts attention and
creates suspension.

3. What sells the magazine?
The main cover line is the element on the magazine cover that is most likely to sell the
magazine as it is big, bold and the main word is murder. The use of the word murder
creates tension and suspense and this is one of the most interesting and exciting
storylines a soap can offer.
Teasers
This magazine includes teasers for other soaps and this is another factor as to how the
magazine sells. For example people like to read a magazine outlining a number of
different storylines from different soaps in order for them to be able to pick and choose
what they watch for entertainment in their free time.
Costume and props
Sharon is wearing a blue top on this front cover and this is significant as this adds to the
colouring of the magazine when you first look at it. The colour is bold and therefore
supports my point that she looks dominant. It suggests the character has a strong and
fiery personality.
Facial expressions
Sharon’s pursed mouth suggests that she may be the subordinate character within the
storyline; whereas Johnny’s guilty pale face portrays him to be in the wrong or the
weaker character within the storyline.

4. Like/dislike
Like: the two shot- shows both characters body and facial expressions, also the use
of language e.g. ‘KILLER’ in capital letters- creates drama and excitement for the
audience.
Effective?
This is an effect magazine front cover.
It gives the audience the information they require for a variety of different soaps,
it’s bright and eye catching and informs the audience about price.

5. Research Into Similar Magazine texts
Main image
Allows the audience
to see who will be
featured throughout
the next week
Style- Skyline/strip
‘gossip’ about celebrities is likely to entice
this target audience into purchasing this
listing magazine therefore increasing viewing
figures.
Style-Main cover line
Big and bold to attract
viewer’s attention. Sums
up main story of the
week.
Language- Rhetorical question
Makes the audience
wonder what may happen
resulting in them being more
interested in watching the soap.
Target audience
‘What’s on TV's target audience is predominantly
female (having 54% of readers being female. The
average age of reader is 48 and 39% of these
readers come from socio-economic groups
ABC1. This gives me the impression that the
readers of this TV listings magazine are varied
and additionally gives me the impression that
audience members are representative of the
whole soci0economic scale.
Representation
The image of Stacey on the front cover
of this magazine represents her to be
young and innocent. She is smiling in
the picture and therefore this does not
suggest that she is evil. The cover line
underneath this could suggest
something different. The image
represents a positive and vulnerable
young person who is happy with her
pregnancy.
Value for money
The inclusion of the price on the front cover
catches the eye of the audience. It is additionally
in bold which makes it look significant. This
information entices the audience as they won’t
mind spending as little as 40p.
Stars
Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) is a big
star within the soap world. She has
suffered with storylines such as
mental illness and adultery.
Colours
The colours help sell this magazine
as they are bright and eye catching.
The reds, blues and yellows are
conventional of this genre of
magazine however this magazine is
unique as it’s masthead is a block
colour with a bold white font.
Camera framing and angles
The mid shot used on this magazine cover is effective as we are able to see the
Character’s full head and therefore the audience develop personal relationships with
this character. The inclusion of other relevant pictures from other soaps additionally sell
the magazine as they attract audience members who may be interested in another
soap.

6. What sells the magazine?
A range of different elements sell this magazine however I think the most significant
factors are: the price, the colours and the star. ‘What’s on TV’ had included a popular and well liked
character as the main image and I believe the audience may have been influenced by this. The price is very
low and is clearly advertised; the vast majority of the magazine’s target audience could afford this and
therefore they are more likely to be interested. Similarly the colours are vibrant and eye catching which
would make it stand out on the shelf.
Teasers
Teasers for other soaps are also important as the audience are likely to be able to relate to at least one of
the soaps/television programmes advertised. This may result in the audience watching additionally
programmes and soaps as they find the stories within the magazine interesting.
Costume props and facial expressions
The front of this magazine cover doesn’t display any c lear costumes or props. It is clear to see that the
character is wearing a top however it is not a significant feature on the cover. Additionally no props are
shown as it is just a mid shot of one person on the front cover and therefore it would be unnecessary for
anything else to be seen.
Body language
The main character’s body language is relaxed and she appears to be happy as she is seen smiling. This
doesn’t foreshadow any future storylines and the additional main cover line suggests that she is happy
with her pregnancy.

7. Like/dislike
Like: the use of colour- bold and eye catching
also- the style of the magazine- inclusion of
various other soap images and the skyline strip
about Diana.
Dislike: looks slightly crowed and too busy- it’s
disorientating for the audience and doesn’t
look very contemporary.
Effective?
I think this magazine would appeal to a wide
target audience due to its colours and use of
language.

8. Tag line
the description of the content within
the magazine is really effective as
this is providing the TA with what
they want to hear. Layout- Masthead
Research Into Similar Magazine Texts
Buzzword
‘Plus’ attracts the
attention of audience
Again, this is bold and
stands out within the
magazine which attracts
the TA’s attention. This looks
contemporary and appeals to a
young TA.
Main cover line
shocking headlines
encourage the audience to take an
interest in the soap and therefore
that soap becomes dominant.
Target audience
The target audience for ‘inside
soap’ are younger than the target
audience of the previous
magazine analysis. For example
the target audience would be 16-
35 year olds. The target audience
are largely female and ‘explorers’
based on psychographic grading.
Representations
This magazine front cover contains a
picture of 3 different women from 3
different soaps. This is really effective
and represents these women/girls to
be superior as they all have an
explosive storyline and from the front
image could be portrayed as strong
and sneaky- representing them to be
dominant within the soap.
Stars
Having 3 stars from 3 different soap
operas is really effective as they are
likely to attract more of the
audience’s attention- especially as
they are the 3 most popular
contemporary soaps.
Language
The use of the word ‘KILLER’ as the main
headline additionally grabs the readers
attention. It is exaggerated and hence creates
alarm and excitement.
Camera framing and angles
The use of 3 mid shots on this magazine is
really effective as it allows the audience
to see each of the main characters- this
helps them to develop personal
relationships.
Colour
The contrast of colours on the magazine is
really eye catching and different. The 3
different hair colours for the images is
really effective as they make the cover
unique and interesting for the audience.

9. What sells the magazine?
I think the most striking feature on this magazine cover is the images in the middle.
The use of the 3 images in the middle differentiates this cover to the others I have
analysed and this is the one that appeals most to me.
Teasers
It contains teasers to other soaps which I have found to be conventional and the
layout of these teasers is additionally attractive and appealing to the target audience.
Costume and props
There is minimal costume shown as the main headline covers the body’s of the 3
women. Similarly there are no props shown.
Like/dislike
Like: the main headline- emphasised buzz word ‘KILLER’ attracts audience, the use of
3 main images in the middle. Shows comparison and contrast between existing soaps.
Dislike: the size of the prize- could possibly be larger (even though more expensive it
is a good quality magazine).
Effective?
Yes, effective front cover, provides audience with important information, shows a
range of characters and is bold and eye catching.