Using Ideology to create appeal.

Look at these contents pages which analyse layout conventions accurately. To make this even better, the student could have commented on the ideology of the magazine and how it appeals to the target audience. Pick your own contents page and look at the subject matter of the articles listed, the language register and the mise-en-scene in the images. How is representation being used to sell to the audience?

Task: Write your own analysis to include in your research and planning section of your magazine coursework. Using a music magazine would be a good idea, as this will help inform your own planning for your magazine production work.

How is audience appeal constructed?

Mojo Double Page Spread

In this double page spread it is possible to work out the target audience by analysing the conventions and how they are used to create meaning. Look closely at colour, language register and representation. How does it represent the group of people who may be reading the magazine?


Here is a media student's analysis work of three different double page spreads. She has labelled the conventions and then explained how each element on the page is used to create meaning or appeal for the target audience. Have a look at how she has used media terminology in her analysis.

Monday 5th - Wednesday 7th June - Magazine research

Complete all the research tasks in the blog post below.

Extension task:

Draw flat plans of your cover, contents page and double page spread.

Magazine Research - Part 1

Research the following:

• Research the genre-conventions of the magazines within your chosen genre
• Examples of existing titles within the genre
• Analyse a cover, contents page and double page spread from an existing title within your genre
• Colour palettes-five examples of colour palettes you may use. Add examples from your genre.
• Fonts-five examples of the type of font you may use. Add examples from your genre.
• Language register (A/A*)
• Moodboard-create at least one for the ideas that have inspired you.
• Audience research (UK Tribes)-which tribe would buy your magazine? They are the tribe/ target audience you are aiming your magazine at.
• Use SurveyMonkey to create a Questionnaire aimed at your audience. Ask at least 5 people to answer it.
• Create audience profiles for a male and a female audience member.
• Analyse the media institution that will publish your magazine

Add as much detail as possible. Look at the guidance on the blog for extra help. Look at the examples for ideas.

Magazine research: half-term homework

• Colour palettes-five examples of colour palettes you may use. Add examples from your genre.
• Fonts-five examples of the type of font you may use. Add examples from your genre.
• Audience research (UK Tribes)-which tribe would buy your magazine? They are the tribe/ target audience you are aiming your magazine at.
• Create audience profiles for a male and a female audience member.

Magazines - Research and Planning (1) 10W

Genre choices are:

• music 
• fashion
• sport

Today's work:

1. Decide on your genre
2. Research magazine titles within that genre. Make a list of existing titles.
3. Collect images of as many different covers as you can. Group by title e.g. Vogue, Wonderland, iD (all fashion titles).
4. Annotate a magazine cover identifying key features (see post above)

Magazine Research, Planning & Evaluation - Jasmine Aldridge

GCSE Media Studies Coursework - Magazine research and planning from Neill Ford