Magazine textual analysis task

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Ancillary Product
Analysis
Name: Thomas Spink
Candidate Number: 2130
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Cover line
Masthead
Main Headline
Use of
Punctuation to
sensationalize a
story
Web Address
Main Image
(Usually shot at
a MCU)

3. • Masthead- The masthead in this magazine is presented effectively to the reader using a single bright colour and bold text as well as
prominent positioning on the page. The colours used in the masthead are red and white which are not only bold have connotations of
both purity (white) and danger (red) which are two prominent narrative themes in most soap operas on TV. The positioning of the
masthead is placed in the top left hand side of the page and is a large which will help catch the attention of the reader.
• The Main Image- This is the most prominent feature on the page and, shot in a MCU, helps to catch the readers attention as the image is
bold and is the main feature on the page. The image is positioned centrally on the page which ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) the importance of
the soap opera that the characters are from and how the storyline that it is representing is popular and interesting. By doing this they will
attract more readers due to the fact that the soap that the images are from, EastEnders, is arguably the most famous and popular soap
opera in the UK ( the only programme to achieve 10 million viewers in 2015 so far, and was watched by over 20 million people (35 per
cent of UK the population) across the week, http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/eastenders-20-million-viewers)
and so will be recognisable for the reader and make them more inclined to purchase the magazine.
• Web Address - The form of cross media convergence on this cover is placed on them masthead of the front cover, giving it significance
and importance on the page. By doing this it will draw the readers attention to it as they look at one of the main features on then page,
the masthead, and as a result may be drawn to go onto the website of the magazine. This then increases the brand identity and raises
awareness of the magazine. As well as this it also increases its popularity with the reader as in this current climate internet and online
usage is a very popular form of media and so by advertising and revealing to the reader that they have a website for the magazine will
increase its relationship between the reader as the magazine becomes more relatable.
• Main Headline- This verbal code is a prominent figure on the page and has been, like the main image, been placed in the centre of the
page. This signifies it importance and attracts the reader to read the headline and creates a buzz and/or interest around the story that is
being described in the headline. In this case and in the majority of magazine main headlines, the headline is linked to the main image on
the page. By doing this it creates an appealing advertisement for the reader, especially if they are a fan of the soap that is being portrayed
upon the cover of the magazine. The colours used for the main headline are bright and vibrant, in this scenario yellow text with a pink
outline. These colours not only match the colour scheme that goes throughout the magazine but the colours also connote the feeling of
excitement which could appeal to the reader as they may be looking for excitement. This is further outlined in the use of punctuation
with an exclamation mark being used at the end of the headline which could connote importance of the headline and attract readers as
they may feel that if it is being exclaimed the story is worth reading and may encourage them to purchase a copy to read the story.
• Cover line -The cover lines on the page are presented in a style that has them lying to the left hand side and underneath the main image
and main headline. This creates a border effect and helps to increase the significance of the main image and the headline that goes with
it. As well as this it uses the bright colours to connote the excitement that goes with the stories involved and that it is an exciting read for
the buyer.

4. Strapline
Date
Price
Masthead
Main Image
Cover line
Main Headline

5. • Masthead - The masthead for this magazine is placed in the centre of the page and is bold. This creates an appealing effect for the
audience as it stands out to them amongst other magazines. As well as this, the red colour used connotes the feeling of danger and
suspense, which is stereotypically and usually reflected in the theme of the Soaps that are denoted in the magazine.
• The Main Image - The main image takes up the majority of the page and denotes the non verbal code of stars of the soap opera
genre who are staring in the soaps that are popular amongst most readers. This includes people such as Danny Dyer, who creates a
large star appeal and is relatable for the reader due to the fact that he is popular figure in society and does not change his personality
whilst performing.
• Price- The price of the magazine is presented clearly at the top of the page which makes it obvious to the reader how much it costs.
This could be appealing to the reader as due to the price being low for a magazine, £1.65, the reader would be more inclined to
purchase the magazine as it is clearly affordable. This helps to appeal to a wide variety of customers as the price being cheap means
that a wide range of people, form the A-class down to the lower echelon of C/D-class society will be able to afford this. Also, the
lower class of people are generally the type of people who watch and enjoy soap operas more as they can relate it to the lives that
they live as it is not high class, therefore by aiming the price low they will generate more sales form the people who actually watch
the soaps.
• Main Headline- The main headline of the magazine is presented in a bold fashion which could appeal to the audience. The colours of
bright orange are complemented by a sparkle effect implemented onto the border of the text which creates the contrast against the
professional and plain colours used elsewhere on the page. The sparkle used here also helps to connote the sense of excitement that
the magazine could contain and how if the reader chooses to purchase the magazine they will find out about all the exciting stories
that are concealed within the confines of the magazine.
• Cover lines- These are spread around the page and are cleverly linked to the main headline as that states ‘2015 preview’, the cover
lines on the page are linked to it and reveal the stories of plots that are happening in 2015. this appeal to the audience as they can
get excited by finding out about what the plots include and whether there is anything to look forward to in the year to come.
• Strapline- Finally the strapline on the page is a prominent figure at the top of the page and is included in the majority of the copies of
the magazine. It is positioned at the top of the page, which signifies its importance on the page. The denotation of the strapline is
‘Every Story, Every Secret, Every Week’. The repetition of the verbal code ‘Every’ connotes that the magazine will constantly provide
success and entertainment for the reader which will attract them to purchase the magazine as they will be pleased with what they
read and will be interested in their stories.

6. What I intend to ‘repeat’ for my own
magazine
• What’s on TV: The elements that I would repeat form this magazine
would be the prominent image positioning as it attracts the reader
and stands out on the page. I would also repeat the effective
positioning of the main headlines again I felt that it stood out on
the page and was eye-catching for the reader.
• Inside Soap: There are different aspects of the this cover that I
would like to repeat for my own magazine. The first of these
conventions is the masthead. I like the way in which it is positioned
at the top of the page. It gives it importance and significance on the
page which is appealing to the reader as the image stands out to
them. I also would like to repeat the way in which the strap line is
bold on the page. This presentation appeared successful to me and
was a good way to brand the magazine to the audience.