A2 Media Studies Unit G324 - Ancillary Task - Magazine Analysis

1. Unit G324: Magazine Analysis
Joseph Ellison

2. Main Image:
The main image always
links to the main headline,
it reveals the two
characters who are
involved in the weeks main
storyline for Eastenders.
Headline:
The headline is the main code and
convention which grabs a readers
attention. In this case, using a
headline like “It’s Murder?” – “Jack
Kills Phil?”- Is a great way to get
readers to read your magazine.
Using a question mark also implies
that this may or may not happen,
making the audience want to tune
in.This is because they have used a
very successful storyline that has
evidently been used a number of
times. They also used two popular
characters with a sense of power
within the soap opera, these two
characters have a big fan base
which will engage a huge viewing
for when the tv show is aired
throughout the week.
Date:
The date informs the
reader of when the
storylines will take
place and during which
week they need to
tune in.
Masthead:
The masthead allows
the reader to
recognise the
company that is
publishing the
magazines and they
are able to become
accustom to this
franchise and
continue to purchase
their content.
Price:
The price allows the reader
to know the price of the
magazine and value whether
it is an appropriate price and
whether or not they want to
purchase it.
Cover Lines:
The cover lines introduce exciting storylines
from the different soap operas and they give
readers an alternative option if they do not
follow the main headline.

3. Strengths
• The strengths within this magazine cover are the main headline, main
image and cover lines.
• These are code and conventions I wish to incorporate into my own
magazine cover. (Steve Neale – ‘Repeat’).
• The main headline includes a storyline that has been successful for years.
Using a murder storyline always grabs a readers attention because the
reader starts to ask questions like “who done it” or “how was it done” and
the only way for these questions to be answered is to watch the soap
opera.
• The main image also shows two dominant characters and one potentially
murdering the other, this is effective because using two powerful
characters in such a way would surely result in a large viewing response.
• The cover lines are also as effective as the main headline, they grab the
readers attention and give them different alternatives.
• These are all code and conventions which I wish to incorporate into my
final magazine and ‘repeat’.