The document summarizes the author's research into different genres of magazines for different audiences. The author conducted "inductive research" by investigating a wide variety of magazines ranging from those targeted at younger to older audiences and feminine to masculine interests. During their studies, the author will be specifically investigating school-based and music magazines and deconstructing one of each category.

1. By Holly Sheldon

2. I have investigated into a wide variety of
magazines of a different genre, ranging from a
younger to an older audience and ranging from a
feminine to masculine appeal.
This method of research is known as ‘inductive
research’. I have conducted this research to see if
I can identify any patterns within in the range of
magazines.
During Year 12 we will be investigating the genre
of school based and music magazines, I have
decided to deconstruct one of each category.

3. The language choice of the
Masthead ‘Pinch of Salt’ is an
effective play on words, a
device used to catch the
readers attention. It also
insinuates that the reader only
receiving a ‘Pinch’ of the
information and that there is
more to be revealed.. An
effective marketing technique
that encourages readers to
follow on to the next issue.
This helps the magazine to
become a reliable and stable
product in the market.
The masthead is in large blue
font to attract the readers
attention but can be
identified with the school’s
colour scheme. This gives the
sense of a cooperate image
and makes the readers
associate the colour blue with
professionalism and order,
which is reflected in the
school’s principles.
The slogan situated at the bottom of
the page is a specific lexical set as it
uses 3 words associating with the
school’s learning attitude –
encouragement, progression and
achievement. This shows parents how
the school uses language choice to
influence the students and encourage
them to get the best outcome in their
future.
The contrast of the two feature models
( a White boy and an Asian girl) on the
front cover, shows a diverse range of
students which represents the school
as an all rounded community.
The colour palette involves the use of
various shades of blue which represents the
school and identifies with the school
uniform.
The fact that there is no barcode situated at
the bottom ,right hand corner of the page
shows the magazine is not for sale , and
that the magazine was produced for
publicity and marketing.
I have investigated further into the ‘Pinch
of Salt’ school based magazine which is
targeted at parents and carers to inform
them of the school’s extra curricular
activities, revision sessions and to
introduce new learning methods.
The students are surrounded
by school work portraying a
good learning attitude and
their dedication to exceed
their target grades. This the
type of students that the
school embrace and the aim
the school have to make
learning fun.
The central image is taken at a mid shot in
order to give the readers an overview of
the situation and gain a perspective on it ,
as well as the two feature models (in this
case students). The students have happy
facial expressions in order to create a
positive and friendly atmosphere, this
reflects on Titus Salts being a welcoming
school.

4. I have decided to investigate further into the theme of ‘Pop’ music magazines.
From analysing a popular pop based magazine ‘Top of the Pops’ I have discovered
the target audience is tweenies' (fashion conscious girls ranging from 8 – 12
years). The purpose of this magazine is to inform as well as entertain.
The magazines feminism is made
obvious through the design on the
front cover as the use of pink and
purple give the denotation of
feminism, passion and nurturing.
The masthead is in large pink
font with the unimportant words
‘of the’ inside a circle centred
between the title. This is in
order to highlight the main words
and attract the readers’.
The central image is taken at a mid shot to allow
the readers to have an overview of the feature
model (in this case Cher Lloyd ) and gain a
perspective on her. Mode of address is used as Cher
is looking directly at the camera in order to engage
the readers and make them feel as if the
information they are reading is being targeted at
them personally. The technique ‘celebrity
endorsement’ is used to attract the reader as it
makes them aware that they are going to be
reading information on a celebrity, therefore they
want to purchase this issue.
The main cover line is an
advertisement on its own as the
language used ‘the real Cher
Lloyd’ suggests there is a
different secret side to Cher that
no one knows about and will be
interpreted in this magazine
article.
A plug is used - the posters of the
newest hottest boy band ,the fact that
this particular boy band is used shows
the magazine is aimed at not only a
feminine but a contemporary target
audience and shows the magazine to
be mainstream.
The magazines feminism is made
obvious through the design and
colour scheme on the front cover is
pink and purple ,contrasted onto a
white background. The white
background gives connotations of
pure and innocent, and the colours
pink and purple give connotations of
femininity, indicating clearly the
target audience the magazine is
aimed at.
The language choice “our experts
to the rescue” makes the
tweenies feel the need to aspire
to this particular magazine as the
producers of this magazine want
to build a relationship with them.
They do this by making
themselves trustworthy to the
readers’ by being there to help
solve their ‘crisis’.
The target audience for this magazine is
‘tweenies’ (fashion conscious 8-12 year olds).
Due to the naivety of this age and the desire
they have to find out who they are and
develop as a person. They use celebrities to
aspire to in order to achieve this and develop
their as a person. This is why Cher Llyod is
used to feature the front cover because ‘Top
of the Pops’ is aware of this and take
advantage of this.

5. The layout is the main
articles (cover lines)
sectioned off in order
to give the readers’
more of an insight into
the articles they will be
reading.
Alliteration is used to
amuse the readers’ and
allow them to
remember this phrase
with accuracy, they will
then associate this
phrase with this media
product (school based
magazine).
A mission statement is
used to give the school a
meaning of authority and
power. It looks good towards
parents as it shows that their
children will be encouraged to
constantly succeed and exceed
their target grades and overall
performance at school.
The language used at the
start ‘girls’ shows that
girls are the dominant
gender in this article as
they have succeeded in a
rugby game. This gives
the connotation of the
school having equality.
The masthead is written in bold
and large letters in order to
initiate that the main subject of
the contents page is sport. This
indicates to the readers’
(parents) that their children will
be engaging in plenty of physical
activity in order to achieve
outside of learning. This shows
the school cares about the
children’s success but health as
well.
Lots of use of
imagery, students
are looking straight
at the camera to
draw the readers’
attention.
Use of synergy as other companies are
advertised through the use of logos in
order to portray that Titus Salts is an
inclusive and embracive school.

6. Simple and colloquial language
used to make the readers’ feel
comfortable and at ease
because this is the language
they can easily interpret and
respond to.
Aiming to change the readers’
ideology and prepare them
from the change from
childhood to adolescence. Part
of becoming an adult is
developing close relationships
with the opposite sex, by using
the phrase “We love boys” the
readers are getting more
familiar and comfortable with
this idea.
Semiotics – a popular
Media theory is used
to help the readers’
understand the
information better as
the heart symbol
makes it easier for
the readers’ to
visualise the idea of
‘love’.
This is the dominant image
of the contents page of
one of the most popular
boy bands present. This
shows the magazines
attempt to keep up with
the latest trends – helping
the reader and the
magazine to form a
relationship as they both
have things in common.
Bold and large numbers are used to
categorise the information offered to
the readers’ – this gives the option for
the readers’ to skip to their favourite
section first. This adds an appealing
quality to the magazine.
Subheadings are
used to categorise
the information
making the layout
readable and easy.
Imagery is used to make
the page more appealing
and interesting,
feminine products are
used to show that
‘fashion’ is a sub section
in the magazine as well
as reminding us who the
target audience is.
The colour pink is used to
represent girly and feminine,
which represents who the
magazine is aimed at.
Some articles are
highlighted to show
specific importance
and suggest to the
readers’ which ones
are the best reads.

7. A photo story board
is used in order to
make the
information easier to
interpret. It also
allows the readers’
to be able to go to a
certain piece of
information if they
wish and don’t
intend to read the
whole article.
Alliteration is used
to make the article
more interesting
and appears as a
catch phrase that
readers’ are likely
to remember. The
reader will then
associate this
phrase with this
particular media
product, and it
reinforces the idea
of success.
Action shots are used to
portray a lively active
school and insinuate
dynamism.
The tag line is a
persuasive
technique used to
persuade the
readers’ (parents’)
that the school
wants the best for
their children and
provide additional
information to the
title in order to
clarify what the
school magazine is
about.
Use of imagery showing a mum and
her son close together to reinforce
the idea of age not being a
restriction when it comes to
Buttons are displayed all over
the page ranging percentages in
the top 90’s, this presents the
school as successful without
having to pay too much
attention to the information
wrote in the bubbles.
Solo imagery is used as well as
multiple – person shots to show that
despite team work being encouraged,
children are also encouraged to work
solely to find out what they are
capable of and exceed their targets.

8. Neutral colours are used
for the background and
text – (white and grey) in
order to make us focus on
the two main people
featuring the double page
spread. It also reinforces
their gender with the use
of the colour blue which
gives the connotation of
masculinity.
The pull quote is written in
a white and bold font to
contrast with the simple
background making it stand
out. The language used “I
felt like I didn’t fit in” was
selected carefully to
reinforce the idea to
readers’ that Zayn may be
a celebrity, but is a genuine
down to earth guy who has
confessions of his own to
share, readers’ will be able
to form a bond with the
information they are
reading as they can
associate themselves with
Zayn’s problems.
The photos used are taken
at a mid shot making the
readers’ feel at ease and
comfortable when reading
the articles featured. Both
Zayn and Harry are looking
directly at the camera to
engage with the readers’
and make it feel more
The language used
in this pull quote is
dramatic and
causes tension
allowing the reader
to skip to that
section in the
article to find out
what happened.
Bright bold text is
used for the
subheadings to
attract attention and
section off the
information. Making it
easier to interpret
the text and get a
good idea of what
topic each section
will be focusing on.
A semiotic sign is used to represent
the motion of turning over the page
allowing the reader to find another
interesting article. The reader can
relate to the action and reinforce it as
they are intrigued to find out what
other information is that is displayed
Zayn is stood at an angle, with his
arm reaching across his front, this
makes us feel as if Zayn has
something to hide which is
supported by his confession in the
format of a pull quote “I felt like I
didn’t fit in”.