The document compares the conventions used in different magazine genres to identify the genre. It analyzes the covers of a music magazine (Rolling Stone), women's magazine (Glamour), and gaming magazine (PC Gamer). Each magazine establishes its genre through elements like the title, cover image, article topics, and color scheme. For example, Rolling Stone references music through its title and focus on a rapper, while Glamour uses pink colors and a smiling female model to signal its focus on women. Overall, the magazines effectively convey their distinct genres through cover design conventions.

1. Textual analysis - Genre
Charlie O’Sullivan

2. The task
 With magazines, there is different genres, and for each genre, there is
often different conventions. I will be comparing each of the genres, and
how they use different conventions to show what genre they are.

3. The music magazine
 With this particular music magazine – Rolling
Stone. It firstly makes a reference to it’s
genre within the title, since The Rolling
Stones are a well known rock band and the
title makes reference to it. The main image
also relates to the Genre. Jay-Z is a well
known rapper, and in the main article, he is
being called “The King of America”. This title
is reference to his rapper status, as the
richest rapper in America. This relates
heavily to the genre of the magazine, since it
is based on this particular big music star. The
side articles are also linked to the Music
genre, For example the “Summer tour melt-down”
and “LCD Sound system”, for when
you are playing your music. The facial
expression is very serious and the sun
glasses show his power, and may represent
more about how he is “King of America”. The
colour scheme also features red, which in
media terms displays a leadership feel, like it
is leading music. From the front cover it is
evident that it is music related, firstly
because of the model on the front, and

4. Glamour magazine
 The next magazine is Glamour. Glamour
refers to beauty and health, which will link well
to the magazine. The magazine is mainly
aimed towards women because of the title.
The name of the magazine is often a goal of
women, to become “Glamorous” The title is
also in the colour pink, which will signify
romance and love. Plus pink is commonly
known as a woman’s favourite colour. The
model for the cover is Jennifer Lopez, Who
appears as a successful woman who also
appears as “Glamorous”. The model is also
looking directly at the reader, possibly
indicating that you could be the same way.
Also, she is smiling, which means she is happy
with her life style. The side articles also relate
heavily to the magazine since they are related
to women. The side articles feature things
such as losing weight and achieving your
perfect body. Also at the bottom right of the
page, there is a 25% Off for a common
women’s shop. The colour scheme heavily
represents white and pink. Pink for women
and romance, and white for modern, Which

5. PC Gamer: Computer gaming magazine
 The video game magazine is obviously a lot
different compared to the other magazines,
because it is using an animated model instead of
a real one like Rolling Stone and Glamour.
However, they have the same concept, and this
makes it relate to it’s genre of magazine. The Title
is bold and very simplistic, even though it uses 3
different colours. There is no main colour scheme,
Except for the fact that all of the main headers are
white text in Red boxes (Which represents
continuity) since it is like that in the title as well,
also the sub titles are in White. The main model
links to the “World Exclusive” Article, because it is
the main character from that particular game. The
side articles also link since they are all video
games related. Featuring “The biggest PC
games”, and an Interview with one of the biggest
game developers. On the front, the magazine also
uses gamer jargon, such as “FTW – For the Win”.
Relating to Glamour, PC Gamer also has 2 Free
gifts, Which Include digital products which relate
to the games that people who buy the magazine
may play.
 The main colour scheme of red and white, for Red
it shows Leadership, which could possibly mean
that It is the leading magazine in this sector. Also,
the colour white represents being modern, which

6. Comparison
 When comparing the music magazine to the other
magazines, It is clear that the music magazine is different
compared to the others. With the gaming magazine and the
glamour magazine, They both use a very simple font,
where as the music magazine uses a which references the
rock band. Compared to the other two as well, the cover
seems to be a lot more plain and simple, with less articles
crowding the front. Rolling Stone’s colour scheme also
seems to have a lot more contrast, which helps to focus on
the model, and relate more to the main article.
 With all three of the magazines, We are able to easily
identify what genre they are by their colour scheme, and
mainly the models. Each has a distinct feel and accurately
establishes its genre.