The document analyzes two music magazines: Country Music People and Top of the Pops. For Country Music People, it discusses the red masthead color representing passion, the natural colors used, the simple front cover layout, close-up artist image to catch readers' eyes, and lack of connection between double page spread image and text. It also notes the minimal text and language on the front cover and double page spread. For Top of the Pops, it describes the bright, eye-catching colors used on the front cover aimed at male readers, more feminine purple on the contents page, and well-placed smaller double page spread image relating to the text. In general, it finds Country Music People lacks visual interest while Top

1. Textual Analysis
Darby
Country and Top of the Pops magazine

2. Country Music People Mag
Circulation-
Readership information-
Mission statement-
Reader profile-
Publishers- Kickin cuts limited
I have tried to contact the magazine by sending an email.
However I haven't received a reply from them with their media
pack.

3. Magazine 1- Country music people
• Colour-
The masthead colour is red, this may be
because red is associated with passion and
determination and they want the colour of
the masthead to link with the person on the
front cover.
A lot of the colours used throughout the
double page spread is browns and blue’s
and I think this is because these are the
typical colours associated with the folk and
country genre, they are very natural and
earthy colours that link well with the folk
music genre.

4. Magazine 1- Country music people
Layout and Design-
The layout and design on the front cover is very
simple. The first thing that attracts the readers
attention is the main image, I think this is
because it is a close up shot of an artists face
so its eye catching. The masthead is where it
would normally be on a magazine, at the top of
the page. There is only one cover line which is
of the artists name, its places at the bottom of
the page. Underneath the main cover line
there is a sub cover line of other artists and
bands that are featured in the issue.
The contents page layout is pictures of the
articles in the magazine down the right side of
the page. Then the page number and what the
article is about is down the left side of the
page.

5. The double page spread is laid out over six
pages however I am focusing on the first two
pages. In the background there is one image
spread across both of the pages with most of
his body on the right page. They have done
this so that there is space for writing on the
left page. The title and sub titles are at the top
of the left page because its easy to read and is
normally associated with being placed here.
They have placed a quote on the right page, I
think they have done this to try and make the
page look less bare. The overall layout and
design of the double page spread to me is far
to bare and simple it doesn’t, and because it is
so bare I dont think it will attract many
readers. I would have a lot more text on the
double page spread to make it looks better.

6. Magazine 1; Country music people
• Images-
The image on the front page is a close up on the
artists face, the reason that they have done this is
to catch the readers eye and also because the
artist looks around the age of the target reader.
The featured artists in this magazine are Chris
Young, Aaron Watson, Old Crow Medicine Show,
Albert Lee and Patti page. They show images of the
bands and artists because the reader wants to
know what they look like and are wearing to
influence what they wear and look like.
The image on the double page spread don’t really
fit in with the text because in the texts he is talking
about advice and touring in London and Paris and
the image of him sitting in a chair so there isn't
really any link between the text and the image. The
main image for the double page spread shows the
artists laying back in a chair, he is wearing a
cowboy hat. This image is a good example of how
‘Representation and Stereotypes’ theory applies to
this magazine i.e. cowboy hats are very stereo
typically thought of as country clothing.

7. Magazine 1; Country music people
• Pose, style, hair and make up-
The front page pose looks very natural. His hair
looks messy which is seen as fashionable
because it makes the artist look rough which
attracts the female readers.
It doesn't’t look as if he is wearing make-up so
it looks really natural which is good because it
doesn't’t rake away from his masculinity.
The pose of the image from the double page
spread looks posed because he doesn't’t look
relaxed and he’s looking into the camera even
though he is facing a different direction.

8. Magazine 1; Country music people
• Composition and framing-
Front page composition is quite bare however the
placement of the masthead, cover line etc. is good because
it allows the reader to see the whole of the artists face.
The contents page I think is also good, its easy to read and
understand. Also I like how they have put the pictures
down the right side of the writing because it gives a visual
aid and if the look of one of the articles attracts them then
they know exactly where to go.
I didn’t like the composition of the double page spread
because to me the main image took to much of the page
up, so there wasn’t enough space for the main text. The
text was too small and pushed into a small corner on one
of the pages. Compared to the main text the one quote
that was used had a too big of a font and made it look like
the editors were trying to make it look as if they had used
up more space. The places that the text were placed was
good for the image because it wasn’t covering it up so the
reader couldn't’t see it.

9. Magazine 1; Country music people
• Written codes-
The title is very big at the top of the screen and can be
seen from a distance. Although they are in a very big font
everything is either one word and I think would blend in
with other magazines if in a magazine shelf stack. The
small amount of text on the front of the magazine are
only of the title and artist names which suggest to me that
they think that the most important thing to the reader is
the artists and that alone is what attracts people to read
the magazine.
The text on the contents page is used to inform the reader
of where to go to get what they want. The listings and
page numbers are in a slightly bigger font so they are
separate from everything else.
The double page spread the title and quote are in a large
font so they can be seen but the text is in an extremely
small font compared with the other text.

10. Magazine 1; Country music people
• Language-
I think that the language used throughout the
magazine is informal and I think they do this so
that their target readers will be able to easily
understand it.
The language on the double page spread felt “having co-written four of his five
inspirational and exciting. This is good because consecutive chart-topping singles”
it then makes the reader want to read it.
From the language used on the front page
“Chris Young
compared to the double page spread it is
minimal and a large percentage of it is names. Aaron Watson-Old Crow
The front page has no language effects that Medicine Show- Albert Lee-
draw a reader in, and for a magazine to sell you Patti Page”
need everything on the front page to draw the
reader in.
“12 Chris Young
The contents on language is quite good, it The Nashville star winner and
consists of information about what is in the five-time chart topper talks to
magazine, it then goes further into detail Douglas McPherson ahead of
underneath some of the page titles. his UK debut this month”

11. Magazine 1; Country music people
• Overall impression-
My overall impression from this magazine was
that it is okay but it uses minimal colours and
not much text mainly on the double page spread
and front page so it wasn't really interesting look
wise, so to me it wouldn’t really attract many
readers. The overall language was good it made
me feel excited and inspired to do what I want,
however the minimal amount of language and
text didn’t help make it any more interesting.

12. Top of the pops magazine
Circulation-
Readership information-
Mission statement-
Reader profile-
Publishers-

13. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Colour-
Front cover colour is very bright for example the title is
in an orange box and some words that they want to be
highlighted are in orange as well because its eye
catching. Other bright colours that are being used on
the front cover are yellow and red. I think that they
have decided to use quite boyish colours because
there is a majority of male celebrities featured on the
front cover. this could link to the male gaze (or female
gaze) as it would attract the audience because he is a
good looking person.
The contents page however is using different shades of
purple probably to appeal more to their female
audience.
On the double page spread the colour used is red, I
think that using this colour was a good idea because
the article is about Justin Bieber so they don’t want to
make him seem girly but the colour red can also be
associated for girls.

14. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Layout and design-
On the front cover the layout is very typical, in the
masthead there is the title, strap line and insert and is
placed at the top of the magazine. The cover lines are
placed on the left hand side of the page, these are
easily seen. the title font is very girly because the target
audience is mostly girls. The layout uses the rule of
thirds with the main image.
The contents page colours are a lot more girly
compared with the front cover, they have used purple
and pink. The font they have decided to use for part of
the page makes it look as if someone has written it, and
the font is also very feminine.
The double page spread colour is red. Its laid out with
an image on the whole of the right page, title at the top
of the left page and writing and smaller images on the
left page. The smaller image fits in really well with the
text because it is talking about his relationship and the
image is of him and his girlfriend.

15. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Images-
The main image on the front page represents the typical idol boy of
the target readers. Justin Bieber is featured on the front cover, this
may be due to recent events during his life or because he is very
popular celebrity to the target reader. I wouldn't’t really say that
the image reflects the contents, I would have to say that the image
is to make the target audience buy the magazine. Using Justin in the
main images classes as Laura Mulvey’s theory of the male gaze
where she says the main purpose of that person being there is for
them to be ‘looked at’.
On the contents page the images are not as interesting a the ones in
the rest of the magazine but still connect to the target reader. There
are images of dolls of celebrities and topless boys.
The images on the double page spread vary, the main image is of
Justin Bieber rocking back on his chair. The image is a good one to
use because it makes him look a little rebellious where he is leaning
back, sitting the wrong way, wearing chains and a tank top that
shows off his ‘muscles’, the first paragraph of the text is talking
about his muscles, the representation and stereotype theory by
Branstone and Stafford applies here because they are using the bad
boy celebrity stereotype to make the female readers like him more.
This image would is ideal for the target reader because it tells them
a little about him. There is also a smaller image of Justin with his
girlfriend in the center of the text, this is there because it links in
with the text and gives the reader a visual of what they are talking
about.

16. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Pose, style, hair and make-up
On the front page the main image looks staged because its not in a
natural setting and he is looking right into the camera. The impression
the image leaves on the reader is that they are being questioned
because he’s looking straight into the readers eyes with his eyebrows
raised so it looks as if he is asking the question that is the over line.
His hair is in a quaff like it usually is, they have done his hair like this
because it is in style at the moment and shows that Justin is trendy.
The smaller images on the page mostly look natural because they are
not taken in a studio and are not pulling a pose.
The contents page photographs of celebrities all look really natural
because they have either been taken with out the person knowing
because they are not looking at the camera or have been taken by
themselves. Their pose also shows they’re very natural because they
are just smiling. It doesn’t look as if they have had their hair specially
done because it’s a little messy.
On double page spread the main image is staged because it is in a
studio, I also think this because his hair and pose looks too perfect
and to make the girl readers love him more. He is also looking into
the camera again. The smaller image is natural because they are in
the street and they haven't had their hair and make up done.

17. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Composition and framing
The front page main image is in a close up most likely
to make the reader feel close to Justin. The background
is just white so that they focus on who they are talking
about. The thing you notice first of all is his eyes
because they are looking at you and are framed in the
center of the page. The page is designed for you to
notice the main image first and then move across to
the smaller images and text.
The first thing that I look at when I look at this page is
the snap shot of the front page because it is in
different colour to the rest of the page. After I look at
that my eyes are attracted to the top of the page
because its colourful and the title is in a shaped box my
eyes then follow down the page. The background is
white, this is probably to make the colours and images
stand out more from the background.
On the double page spread the background is also
white to make the bold colours stand out more the
main image is a medium long shot probably to show
everything that is being talked about in the text.

18. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Written codes-
The main cover line on the front page suggest that the person
who it is about is being rebellious because it says “I can really
shock my parents”, this also makes the reader want to find out
why he is being naughty so they will read inside. The title and
cover lines are quite a big font that would be able to be seen
from far away. The title is called ‘top of the pops’ and tells me
that the magazine is going to mostly be based around famous
musicians because ‘top of the pops’ is also a music channel.
The contents page just inform the reader f what they are going
to find so it needs to me straight forward and easy to
understand. The size of the writing on this page is much
smaller over all because it doesn't’t need to be seen from a
distance.
The double page spread title tells the reader that he has a lot
of female attention or that he is really bad at handling with
girls, this then makes the reader feel more power over him and
make them feel sorry for him. The title is bold and large and
would catch the eye of a reader from a distance. Justin talks
about the fans sometime during the double page spread this
would make the fans feel recognition and worthwhile which is
part of the Hierarchy of Needs theory by Maslow in 1954,
because he talking about them and saying “ I've written the
song for them”.

19. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Language
The front page language is mostly questions, this is because
they want to make the reader want to know the answer
which may be inside the magazine. The writing is really
informal, they have chosen to use language like this because
the target reader is young and would not be able to
understand formal language as much.
The contents page language is very informative, which it
needs to be. They grab the readers attention by using
phrases such as “hey girls” and “celeb gossip” the first one
relates to the target audience by singling out the girls and
the second one is to interest them.
On the double page spread it uses informal language so that
they understand but also to make them feel as if they are
part of the conversation. The text is in an interview setting
which means that the readers feel as though Justin is
personally telling them the information about himself.

20. Magazine 2; Top of the Pops
• Overall impression
The magazine is really good at catering for its target
audience, it uses celebrities and articles that they
would be interested in. It is colourful and neat so it is
easy to read. The front page, contents page and
double page spread all link together really nicely.
Even though it is neat I think that the front page has
too much on and makes it look cluttered. The listings
on the contents page is too small and should be bigger
so that it can be seen and so it is obvious that it is
what it is.
I really liked the layout on the double page spread
because there was a lot of body text but also a lot of
visual aid for the reader to be interested with.
My complete over view of the whole magazine is really
good and I think will help me when I am in the process
of making my own magazine.