The document discusses how to identify genres through their codes and conventions. It defines conventions as characteristics that define and reinforce normative values within a genre. Codes are symbolic representations like colors. The document analyzes examples of magazine covers, identifying pink as representing femininity through its association with the model's lip color (CODE). It notes the model is a famous actress appealing to female readers, in line with the beauty/fashion genre (CONVENTION). Larger text size identifies the masthead or title (CONVENTION), while text size varies by article prominence (CONVENTION).

1. Identify and explain in your own words the generic codes and
conventions in these magazine covers.

2. How do we know which genre a film (or any
other media text) fits into? In other words,
how can we identify a genre?
 We can identify a genre by its codes and
conventions.

3.  Conventions: The repetition and reinforcement of normative
values. A set of characteristics, common to different media
texts, that define a genre.
 Genre: A certain type or kind, style or category.
 Codes: A system of symbols used to represent something. In
graphic language, these codes usually operate at a symbolic
level of representation (signs and symbols-connotations)

4. CODE:
Colour pink.
Conventionally is a
colour associated with
femininity. Here is
used to represent
femininity and appeal
to a female target
audience. It also
matches the soft lip
tone of the model in
the image.
CONVENTION:
The model in the cover
is a well known actress.
She appeals to a
female target audience
and portraits the main
contents of this
magazine genre:
fashion, beauty and
celebrity.
CONVENTION:
The size of the
masthead is the biggest
text in the cover. This is
because the masthead
is the name/title of the
magazine.
CONVENTION:
The model’s face is in
front of the masthead,
while this is still easily
legible
CONVENTION: The
size of the text varies
according to the
prominence of the
feature or article’s
cover line.
CODE:
Colour white conveys
innocence and purity,
two archetypical
feminine attributes.
CONVENTION: The
masthead is
conventionally
situated in the less
prominent place in theGENRE: Fashion

5. CODE: Colours such black,
white and pearl/golden
convey elegance, glamour
and luxury. The choice of
black for the background
matches the model’s dress
and hair colours.
EXAMPLE 1: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
CONVENTION:
The size of the masthead is
the biggest text in the cover.
This is because the
masthead is the name/title
of the magazine.
CONVENTION:
Natalie Portman is a famous
actress, who is modelling for
this issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
She appeals to a female
target audience and
portraits the main contents
of this magazine genre:
fashion, beauty and
celebrity.
CONVENTION: The size of
the text varies according to
the prominence of the
feature or article’s cover
line.
CODE:
The use of a serif font type
connotes a traditional,
classic conception of
formality and elegance.
GENRE: Fashion

6. CODES CONVENTIONSEXAMPLE 2: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

7. CONVENTIONS CODESEXAMPLE 3: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

8. Template for your analyses
Task:
• Using the same examples as in your graphic
elements analyses and using the templates
provided in this presentation, analyse the codes
and conventions of those three magazine covers.
• Use the same format as in the previous examples
and the following slides as a template for your
analyses.

9. CONVENTIONS CODES
YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE
EXAMPLE 1: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

10. CONVENTIONS CODES
YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE
EXAMPLE 2: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE:

11. CONVENTIONS CODES
YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE
EXAMPLE 3: CODES AND CONVENTIONS
GENRE: