Issue 1536 - Rishi Sunak

1. THE BIG
ISSUE
COVER 1536
ANALYSIS

2. - Conventional for Big Issue
- 'A kind of magic = intertextual reference to
a Queen song, the band that Brian May
was part of
- This targets an educated demographic,
intending for them to pick up on this,
which flatters them and encourages them
to buy/read
- 'vital organisations' = collectivist ideology,
suggests that communities are crucial for
survival
- This connotes left wing, inclusionary values
which reinforces the readership's beliefs
- 'those in need' makes reference to the Big
Issue's pledge to help the disadvantaged in
society as it is a charity magazine designed
to give underprivileged people a voice
USE OF SELL LINES:

3. POLITICALLY SATIRICAL:
- Conventional for the Big Issue
- 'affluent and environmentally, socially
and ethically aware' readership
- 'green jobs' = focus on the environment,
fulfill their hope to offer fresh
perspectives on current
affairs/progressive news
- 'for all' = collectivist, equality
- Educated ABC1/AB readership who will
be conscious on such matters, something
they will care about reading so
successfully engages them
BOLD TEXT TO REFLECT
BOLD STATEMENT
•Conventional for the publication
•Question encodes the expectation that Rishi
himself will read the magazine
•This is ironic as the cover is clearly satirising
how politicians do not care about
progressive issues​
•Addresses him as Prime
Minister which recognises his status in
society and reinforces the divide
between politicians and the people they claim
to represent,
•This also satirises how he's above readers in
social hierarchy yet is being offered advice by
them, connoting weakness in a position of power​
•Stating its simplicity almost
seems mocking, suggesting that the authors
of magazine who have no political power could
do a better job
•Simple language like 'decent' also reinforces the
bare minimum of changes that could be
implemented but aren't = government do
not benefit their people
- Conventional for Big Issue
- Reinforces messaging
ENVIRONMENTALIST

4. - Conventional for Big Issue
- Selection of candid shot, facial expression looks smug
- No direct mode of address which is unconventional,
however arguably adheres to convention of aim to be
'antithesis of right wing' by creating distance between
politicians and public
- Edited so that he is carrying Big Issue another example
of political satire, links back to idea that question creates
expectation for him to read magazine
- The fact they have decided to choose shot where he is
walking towards the right positions him walking away
from responsibilities, viewpoint that politicians are
untrustworthy leaders
- Symbolic colours also a convention of the Big Issue =
yellow used here to reinforce messaging of
cowardice, especially since it quite a distasteful, off-
white shade, not vibrant and positive
ELITIST PERSON: