magazine cover analysis A2 media studies

1. MAGAZINE COVER
ANALYSIS
EMPIRE MAGAZINE

2. Date and price shown in small text
near masthead – allows main image
to attract the reader. Date is August
2008, which suggests it is a monthly
magazine, therefore the price of
£3.99 is reasonable.
Slogan = ‘THE WORLD’S BIGGEST
MOVIE MAGAZINE’ attracts readers
as it suggests high quality and
popularity.
Cover line = ‘45 NEW MOVIES YOU
NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RIGHT
NOW!’ – grabs attention. Use of
word choice ‘need’ and ‘now’
suggests importance of magazine.
Use of blue star symbols help direct
readers to important/appealing
information, and attracts attention.
Masthead is largest and brightest
text on front cover. Used to draw
attention as the reader may appeal
to a certain brand.
Website address located under the
masthead. It is important for
readers as they are more likely to be
film lovers and want to find more
information about new film
releases. The use of social media
helps appeal a younger age group
(15-25), who may share information
about it to others.
Barcode shows clearly it is not a free
magazine. It is also professional and
high quality. It is in the bottom
corner so it does not detract from
the main image

3. Most of the text is positioned on the
left third of the cover. This is good
as it doesn’t overcrowd the main
image and is easier to read. There
are main coverlines in different
colours, sizes and fonts so it is clear
and easy to read. The colours are
bright and clear, which contrasts to
the dark image.
Coverline = ‘MASSIVE PREVIEW
SPECIAL!’ – shown in bold, capital
font to stand out to the reader.
Coverline = ‘HARRY POTTER 6’ –
implies to reader that there will be
info about the film and the release,
which appeals to fans of the film.
Smaller image in bottom left doesn’t
draw attention away from the main
image. It shows male and female
characters from various genres,
which appeals to a wider audience.
The main image shows harry potter
directly addressing the reader,
which grabs attention. This implies
that the magazine will give
information about the main
character as well as the film.