This document contains an analysis of soap opera genre codes in various media. It summarizes the use of verbal and non-verbal codes in magazines advertising soap operas and posters for soap opera TV shows. For the magazines, it notes the use of bright colors and shocking language to engage audiences. For the posters and TV shows, it discusses how low-key lighting is used to create a darker, tense atmosphere compared to typical soap opera settings. The document evaluates the strengths of the different media, stating it would repeat the use of bright colors in magazines and dark colors in posters to connote their intended tones and engage audiences.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Independent Textual
Analysis
Name: William Hennegan
Candidate Number: 3057
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Magazine – Time for TV
Verbal Codes –
The verbal diegetic code of “Love shock”
engages the audience emotionally by using
shocking and powerful language. This is also
backed up by the use of yellow font with a
pink stoke as it is eye catching and bright.
Furthermore the verbal of “get ahead of the
soap” connotes that the magazine has the
information that other magazines wont have
which is backed up by the use of bright colours
to become eye catching as this closed off
language is usually associated with themes of
the soup opera genre.
The technical code of the graphic featuring
“only 58pin the top right of the cover, reflects
the quality of images presented, including an
images of protagonists in the center of the
page. These features both connote the target
audience and how it

3. Non-Verbal Codes –
By using low key lighting the shot appears more tense and “darker”
than “regular soap opera settings” as Coronation street takes place
primarily in the day. Even though some scenes take place during the
day the light from behind clouds creates a dreary/tired look on the
scene. This lighting connotes a darker atmosphere.
Because the show takes place in everyday locations it is fitting for
scenes to take place in streets, homes, a pub, hospital, school, for
example. This also signifies (De Saussure) that the characters should
wear appropriate clothing for where they are: suit and tie for an
office, high visibility uniform for road workers, casual clothing while
at home, for example.
Magazine – Coronation street

4. Poster – East Enders
Non-Verbal Codes –
By using low key lighting the shot appears more tense and “darker” than “regular soap opera settings” as Coronation
street takes place primarily in the day. Even though some scenes take place during the day the light from behind
clouds creates a dreary/tired look on the scene. This lighting connotes a darker atmosphere.
Because the show takes place in everyday locations it is fitting for scenes to take place in streets, homes, a pub,
hospital, school, for example. This also signifies (De Saussure) that the characters should wear appropriate clothing
for where they are: casual clothing while at home or outside of work, for example.

5. Poster – East Enders
Non-Verbal Codes –
By using low key lighting the denotations of the shot appears more
tense and “darker” than the average soap opera settings as East
Enders takes place primarily in the day. This connotes that the
overall plot of this series is “darker” than the average soap opera.
Even though some scenes take place during the day the light from
behind clouds creates a dreary/tired look on the scene. This lighting
connotes a darker atmosphere through low-key lighting
denotations.
Because the show takes place in everyday locations it is fitting for
scenes to take place in streets, homes, a pub, hospital, school, for
example. This also means that the characters should wear
appropriate clothing for where they are: suit and tie for an office,
high visibility vests for road workers, casual clothing while at home,
etc.

6. Evaluation of Textual Analysis –
Compare and Contrast
Magazine) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale)
or “exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
I would repeat (Steve Neale) the brightly coloured fonts and of the images
as it is taken by the man as this can connote multi stranded narrative as this
can help relate to more audience members.
Poster) – Areas of Strength and what you would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale) or
“exploit” (Abercrombie – 1995)
I would repeat (Steve Neale) the she dark coloures as it is used is able to
connote the darker themes and this creates tension for the audience
members. The lack of colour is used to emphasize tension in the trailer.