1. A Textual Analysis of a Regional Magazine Contents Page- Cornwall Life
Institutional Information- This is an online website that
allows audiences to purchase issues of Cornwall Life. It is
an example of convergent technology because it is
allowing audiences to access the information and order
subscriptions via an outside institution. This is also an
example of synergy because clearly Shropshire Life have
accepted ‘buyamag.co.uk’ to advertise in their magazine.
Both institutions are benefitting from this because it will
mean increased sales for Cornwall Life. Also,
‘buyamag.co.uk’ will benefit from it because audiences
could go onto their website to purchase Cornwall Life, but
then could see another magazine that they might be
interested in, thus increasing exposure and sales for them
too.
QR Code- This is also an example of
convergent technology because the
target audience are able to scan the
QR code via a smart phone that will
directly take the audience to
www.buyamag.co.uk/cornwall.
It
will allow the target audience to
save some money too. Using the
colour red distinguishes the
importance
of
‘Save
£1’.
Stereotypically, audiences are going
to want to be informed (U+G) of
where to purchase media products
at the cheapest price.
Primary Image- This instantly
identifies (U+G) to the target
audience that it is apart of a cover
story within the issue. The target
audience can be informed (U+G)
that this is true by the name of the
location, Coverack Gardens, and the
page number that this article can be
found. The colours used in this
contents page are stereotypical of
seas, beaches, wildlife, water, etc.;
green and blue. These are colours
that work well together and are
evidently apart of Cornwall Life’s
house style.
Title- ‘Contents’ is evidently the
title of this page. It informs (U+G)
the target audience that this is the
page that they should refer to so
they are informed (U+G) of the
topics Cornwall Life has to offer.
The size of the typography of
‘Contents’ is clearly larger to
connote its importance and
significance in reference to this
page of the regional magazine. The
typography
is
clear
and
concise, with a ‘youthful’ twist. The
colour is a shade of turquoise to
conform to the layout and house
style.
Topic Titles- These are clear
indicators to the target audience
that inform (U+G) them of the
topics that are included in Cornwall
Life. For example, People and Places
is a topic that attracts almost
everyone because of the diversity of
the subject. The fact that there is an
article
based
on
single
parenting, connotes that there
could be an increase in the number
of single parents in Cornwall. The
typography is against turquoise to
stand out and conform to the house
style.
Page
NumbersThese are numerical
indicators for the
target audience to
follow the order of
the magazine. The
contents page and
the page numbers
correlate with each
other to identify
(U+G) to the target
audience
where
specific articles are
located.
Front Cover Image- Including
the front cover image on the
contents page simply reinforces
the theme for the issue e.g. the
seaside, boats, etc. It is clear
that this contents page belongs
with the front cover because of
the secondary images that are
featured on the contents page
e.g. the landscape of Coverack
Gardens and the incredible close
up shots of the Cornish Seals
and Wildlife. This reinforces the
theme of the seaside and
wildlife,
which
is
often
stereotypical od contents pages.
This is because there is often a
clear theme throughout a
particular issue, similar to a
house style.
Cover Stories- These inform
(U+G) the target audience of
what the most popular and
exciting articles are going to be
within this issue of Cornwall Life.
The language used informs the
target audience that this is a
regional magazine for Cornwall
because Coverack Gardens is
iconic to Cornwall. In addition,
Cornwall Life’s Food and Drink
award is included in the cover
stories.
This
will
entice
audiences because food and
drink is a topic that mass
audiences are interested in. The
page numbers positioned next to
them also inform (U+G) the
target audience of where these
cover stories are stereotypically
the most exciting and attracting
articles.
Secondary Image- This close up of the Cornish Seal is regional
and iconic to Cornwall. This issue is clearly centring on the
topics of sea life and the seaside. The quality of this
photograph is very clear, which connotes the importance of
this image. In addition, these secondary images are visual aids
to the target audience in terms of them being visually informed
(U+G) on the content of the articles that correspond with these
images. The layering of the text over the images also informs
(U+G) the target audience where they can find the
content, and identifies (U+G) the page numbers too.

2. This is a textual analysis that will be focusing on the contents page of Cornwall Life regional magazine that I have
annotated. I have decided to conduct a textual analysis based on this because I wanted my research to be diversified
in the sense that I would be researching different regional magazines that focus and are located in different regions
o f England.
Firstly, the primary image that is used on this contents page instantly identifies (uses and gratification) to the target
audience that this correlates with a cover article/story in this issue of Cornwall Life. The focus of the primary image is
always going to correlate with a cover feature/article within the magazine. It is clearly evident that this primary
image connotes the theme of this issue of Cornwall Life, which is to with the sea side, water, beaches and also sea life
and wildlife. The target audience can be informed (uses and gratification) that this true because of the name of the
location; Coverack Gardens. The layering of this text on the primary image connotes that this is the focus of the
article that this primary image is conveying through visual imagery. In addition the page number (86) clearly informs
(uses and gratification) where the target audience can find the article that relates to this primary image further down
the contents page. The beautiful landscape shot of Coverack Gardens conforms to the house style of Cornwall Life in
the sense that it included colours that are used throughout the contents page e.g. blue and green.
Furthermore, the title of the contents page is clearly evident to the target audience; ‘Contents’ it informs (uses and
gratification) them that this is the page within the regional magazine that they should refer to so they are informed
(uses and gratification) of the topics Cornwall Life has to offer. The contents page is very important because it is a
clear, informative indicator for the target audience to use to find the topics that they want to read about. The size of
‘Contents’ is considerably bigger in reference to the other pieces of text. This reinforces that the title allows the
target audience to be informed (uses and gratification) that this is the contents page. The typography is clear and
concise, with a ‘youthful’ twist due to the brightest of the turquoise which is a colour stereotypically associated with
younger audiences. Moreover, the colour of the text conforms to the layout and house style of this issue of Cornwall
Life.
The topic titles that are used on the contents page are stereotypical of the features expected on a contents page. This
is evidence that although Cornwall Life is conforming to the conventions of a contents page, they are making it iconic
to them by titling topics such as ‘Countryside, Heritage and Natural World’ to target the audience of people who live
in Cornwall, and people who want to experience something new by visiting Cornwall. Another example is ‘People and
Places’. This is a topic that will attract almost everyone because of the diversity of the subject. The fact that there is
an article based on single parenting, this could possibly connote that there could be an increase in the amount of
single parents in Cornwall. The topic titles are a very stereotypical convention of contents pages because they inform
(uses and gratification)the target audience about what particular articles will be based on.
Page numbers are very important within a regional magazine, specifically on the contents page. These are numerical
indicators for the target audience to be able to follow the order of the magazine. The contents page and the page
numbers correlate with each other to identify (uses and gratification) to the target audience where specific articles
are locate with the magazine. Page numbers are a reference point that are included in the feature of a contents page
to ease the target audiences minds. When consuming a regional magazine, the target audience wants to be able to
find the information and the articles stress free. The page numbers allow this to happen as the target audience can
quickly refer to the contents page and then be able to skim the magazine until they find the page that they are
looking for. This could not have been done without using page numbers.
The OR code is an example of technological convergence because the target audience are able to scan the QR via a
smart phone that will instantly direct them to the website www.buyamag.co.uk/cornwall. Here ,the target audience
can purchase single issues of Cornwall Life online, something that would not of been possible anywhere else. This
website allows the target audience to save money too. Using the colour red distinguishes the importance of ‘Save £1’.
Although it is only one pound, if the target audience like the way that this website distributes the magazine, then over
time, this will have a positive effect on the target audience because they are able to save money when consuming
this media product. Stereotypically, audiences are going to want to be informed (U+G) of where to purchase media
products at the cheapest price. If this website offers this, this will mean that both institutions, buyamag.co.uk and
Cornwall Life are working in synergy to create something that might otherwise not have been possible.

3. The secondary images allow the target audience to identify (uses and gratification) what some of the articles will be
centred on e.g. wildlife and sea life. The positioning of them in reference to the layout is important. They are
positioned together on the right of the page to create a clear and concise sense of layout, The text on the contents
page needs to be together and create an understandable layout for the target audience to comprehend. The close up
of the Cornish Seal is regional and iconic to Cornwall. The style and focus of the image is incredible because the
photographer was able to capture this shot at just the right second. This issue of Cornwall life is clearly centring on
the topics of sea life, wildlife and the sea side, this is evident through the visual codes represented through the
imagery throughout this contents page. The accompanying text that is layered over the image informs (uses and
gratification) the target audience of the name of the animal. This is very important because the target audience might
not have known what this animal was. They could of initially had a sole purpose to consume this product which might
have had something to do with Arts and Literature for example, but now they can read about the Cornish Seals. They
would instantly be able to be informed (uses and gratification) of where to locate this information in the contents
page and by the page numbers.
Including the front cover image on the contents page simply reinforces the theme for the issue, for example the
seaside, wildlife, boats, etc. It is clear that this contents page belongs with the front cover because of the secondary
images that are featured on the contents page, for example the landscape shot of Coverack Gardens and the
incredible close up shots of the Cornish Seas and Wildlife. This reinforces what the theme of this issue is. This is a
stereotypical convention of contents pages a s the theme of the front cover stereotypically would continue through
to the contents page.
The cover stories are stories that are of most importance and are the stories that would stereotypically entice mass
audiences into consuming the media product. Some of the cover stories listed are in direct correlation and relate with
the images used on the contents page. This connotes that all the features of the contents page, ranging from the
topics to the cover stories to the images are all in correlation with each other, to convey an organised atmosphere
and mood for the target audience to be able to read the contents page in a well structured way. The layout of the
contents page is clear and the target audience can identify (uses and gratification) how the different features
correlate with each other to entice the target audience to consume the regional magazine.