ANALYZIN

G
MAGAZINE
COVERS
Introduction

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

DISCUSS
1. In what ways do Magazine covers attempt to entice their audience/reader?
2. How heavily are gender norms relied upon to sell magazines?
3. Consider how certain magazines engage you personally, as a reader.
Masthead

Main image

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s

Left third
MASTHEAD
This is the title of the magazine.

Highlights what genre the magazine is.

You should also identify connotations that are attached to the title.

Identify possible connotations formed from the title of both these examples.
MAIN IMAGE
The purpose of a prominent main image
is to gain the attention of the reader.

Consider, what are the representations

in the main image?

Here you need to consider the camera

shot used – is it a close up? A medium
shot? Why?

What does the editor want the viewer to

take from this image? How is the main
image presented?
THE LEFT THIRD
This is the left-hand
side of the
magazine.

It usually contains
the “selling-points”
of the magazine.

What selling-points
are offered in these
two texts?
COVER LINES
This tells the reader the main stories
that are within the magazine.
Consider the use of font – color, style
and placement to appeal to the reader.
In what ways have the coverlines
been able to place and manipulate the
reader?
NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC
MAGAZINES
The official magazine of the National
Geographic Society.
It has been published continuously since
the first issue in 1888.
It primarily contains articles about science,
geography, history, and world culture.
The magazine is known for its thick square-
bound glossy format with a yellow
rectangular border and its extensive use of
dramatic photographs.
Who do you think the target audience is?
How are they appealed to?
ACTIVITIES
Within groups you are going to sort this BOW into possible global issue units.