2. GOSSIP MAGAZINES
The style of language used in gossip
magazines tends to be fairly basic
and informal to suit the target
audience as well as style of
magazine. The contents of the
magazine does vary but the main
articles include interviews. The
double page spread image used here
in reveal is different due to the style
including makeup rather than
‘celebrity gossip’ however, the
amount of language is still small but
becomes less informal as it is
discussing factual information about
the product.
Language used in gossip magazines
is too informal for the magazine I
want to create however, magazines
that are too formal and serious will
not reach or suit my target audience.
3. FASHION MAGAZINES
The style of language used in
magazines such as ‘Harper’s Bazaar’
and ‘Vogue’ is more formal. The
layout is more structured and
organised too which creates a feeling
of sophistication. The language is
formal but only enough to suit the
audience – it isn’t overbearing or
unreadable.
For my magazine I would like to
include a mixture of informal/formal
language to create a balance for my
readers.
4. Language is very important too a magazine. It sets the tone for the magazine and
the style in which it wants to suit its audience (informal/formal). The language has
to reflect the look of the magazine, you can’t have a formal, structured image that
is black and white with large, bold slang scattered across the page.
Images are not necessarily studied to the degree that language is as language
conveys what the images are about (such as who they are/what they are doing).
Language holds the context of the articles and magazine as whole.
If you are wanting to create a magazine like ‘Vogue’ or ‘Harper’s Bazaar’ but use
informal language, you will not create the desired effect or even reach your target
audience.
WHY IS LANGUAGE IMPORTANT IN
MAGAZINES?
5. BILLBOARDS Very little language is used on
billboards, if any is used it is short,
simple and too the point. It always
includes the product name.
Language that is used will suit the
product, if it is a high-end brand or
high-street store the language will
vary in formality but the context of
enticing the audience will remain the
same.
Language on billboards is what
showcasing the product to the
audience. It perhaps is how they will
discover the product, so choice of
language is vital so the correct
impression is conveyed.
6. WEBSITES
Language used on product websites
will similarly to magazines reflect the
target audience and style used in
promoting the actual product.
Regional websites will use language
common to that area and may even
include speech such as ‘ay’ if it was a
Scottish based magazine to connect
with the audience. However, they
will include are variety of language
styles to reflect the area as a whole
and not a minority.
The language used on websites has
to be the same as the magazine and
billboard to create a connection and
common style throughout otherwise
the audience will be confused as to
who the company are actually
targeting.
