RESEARCH: Textual analysis feedback

This is the feedback I received by Samantha Cohen regarding my second textual analysis. From this feedback, I know I need to include more key terminology and talk more about the typography used in the magazine. This will help me move into Level 4 and turn my textual analysis into excellent rather than good.

RESEARCH: 2nd Sixth form magazine textual analysis

• The masthead of the magazine is in bold and the white title contrasts to the dark background of leaves. This is good because it means that it attracts the reader and the reader is immediately aware of the name of the magazine.

• The masthead and subtitle are all featured on the left hand side of the magazine. This makes the magazine look neat but could be perceived as very simple and quite boring.

• In addition to this, the image used is a central image. It is the main focus of the front cover which is good because the photo is visually appealing. 

• The bright, striking colours of the leaves contrast to the duller background. This creates for a more exciting front cover because the leaves in the shape of the number 1 are the centre of attention.

• Following on from the image, the gradual colour change of the leaves is attractive and connotes to autumn. It can clearly be identified the time of year the magazine was released because underneath the headline there is a subtitle in  smaller font that says 'November edition'.

• Furthermore, the font used in the title and the subtitle are the same, This demonstrates a house style and suggests the sixth form is professional, sophisticated and well presented. 

• The cover of the magazine is fairly simple and the image used is neutral. This means the target audience could be broad, ranging from students to adults however it could be argued that the audience may be well educated and sophisticated due to the reasonable mature front cover. 

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• This is the contents page of the magazine. As it can be seen, there is a page dedicated to the editor of the magazine. This part is written in first person so the reader may feel the writing is peaking directly to them. Subsequently, the reader may feel engaged and included which may urge them to read on.

• The contents page itself is fairly detailed. There are photographs that clearly relate to the topics inside the magazine and feature the page number. These photographs are useful because they not only make the page look more exciting but also provide the reader with a deeper insight into what they are going to read. 

• Moreover, the photos are different sizes and placed in an interesting layout. This is good as it frames a more exciting contents page.

• The font used on this page for 'CONTENTS', 'THE FIRST', 'FEATURES' AND 'AUTUMN 2011' are all in the same colour and font. However, the font is different to the one used on the front cover, showing diversity between pages.

• Similarly, the titles are in white and therefore stand out on the black background.

• The name of the magazine is still placed in the top left hand corner, again displaying brand identity with the date placed in the right hand corner.

• All of the topics in the magazine are listed underneath the title 'FEATURES' with a short description of what the articles are about. There are a range of subject matters addressed in this magazine, from fashion to sport, so the target audience could a be a wide range of people.

• Usually the contents of a magazine would have a social media link however his magazine does not and doesn't follow the typical magazine conventions. Other things this magazine include are a feature article or a leading story. 

RESEARCH: Sixth form magazine textual analysis

• From the cover of this sixth form magazine, we can instantly tell that this is a professional looking cover. This therefore presents the sixth form as a sophisticated place even though there is not a photo of a student on the front.

• The photograph that is featured on the cover is visually pleasing which entices readers in.

• Further to this, the vibrant colours help to attract readers who may want to read t his magazine.

• Additionally, the font used in the heading and the subheadings are clear and bold, It can be seen that the word 'UPDATE' is the centre of attention on the the front cover, due to the fact it is the name of the magazine itself.

• Underneath, it clearly states that it is a sixth form magazine and informs the reader that it is the third issue.

• The interesting composition of the text 'Battle of the Bands' creates for an exciting layout, again catching the readers attention.

• This is the contents page found at the beginning of the magazine.

• Both headings 'From the Editors' and 'Contents' are in the same font, demonstrating consistency.

• The font used is easy to read and there is also a photograph of one of the editors of the magazine next to the text.

• Moreover, there is an email address, website and QR code. This implies how the sixth form is interactive and is interested in people getting involved with the magazine.

• The contents page is fairly minimal with the topics featured and their page numbers.

• Included are photographs which relate to the topics giving the reader more of an idea of the type of stories inside the magazine.

• There are a variety of topics that target different audiences; this is good because it means that the magazine will attract several types of people.

• Despite this, the contents page could be seen as slightly plain and more images could have been used to make the layout more appealing.

PRODUCTION: My name

These photos represent each of of the letters in my name. For the first four letters I chose items which start with the same letter, for example converse for the C and for the last four I tried to find objects or things around me which looked like the letters themselves.

PRODUCTION: First images

In my opinion, I believe this photograph is most suitable to use as a cover of a sixth form magazine. This is due to the fact the fact both students not only look happy but they are both well presented and portray a positive outlook on Sixth form life. Further to this, this positioning of both students looks  professional and the background is fairly pleasing. This is important when choosing a cover photo for a magazine as it should look like something that has been well pieced together and picked carefully.               Consequently, I would be happy to use this as the cover of a sixth form magazine as I believe it demonstrates positivity and enjoyment which, in essence, is what we want the reader to think when they first see the magazine.  

On the other hand, this photograph would not be appropriate to use on the cover of a sixth form magazine. The reason of this is that the background takes up the majority of the photograph, this means the reader's attention is taken away form the student and is focused more on what is behind her. Moreover the cover of a magazine is not only meant to engage the reader but, in this case, present a positive take on what sixth form is like. Unfortunately, it becomes difficult to see the expression of the student because of the angle and quality of the photograph. Subsequently, this would not be a photo I would choose to use due to the poor composition and the inability to read the expression of the student.