extra

• Pride magazine


  A set text for GCSE Media Studies that could appear in component one section a as either a media language question or a representation question
• Masthead


  • The title 'Pride' tells the audience how they are supposed to feel - positive and proud, especially for minority groups like LGBTQ or ethnic minorities
  • The masthead is partially covered by the cover star's image, a common convention for lifestyle magazines to suggest the brand is well-known
• Strapline


  Celebrating 24 years at the top connotes the magazine is successful and well-respected
• Colour palette


  • Mostly red and white, powerful and strong colours that may challenge gender associations and appeal to strong women
• Cover star Naomi Harris


  • Confident, powerful and strong pose looking directly at the audience
  • Typical 'hand on hip' pose that draws attention to her body and curves
• Many cover lines communicate the idea that appearances and bodies are important
• Unconventional cover lines


  Rather than just focusing on how to look thinner/sexier, the cover lines openly talk about how women's bodies are objectified, mocked and sexualised, suggesting a more political and modern approach
• The magazine uses the acronym FGM (female genital mutilation) suggesting the audience is educated on the issue
• Cover line about wigs


  Appeals to a predominantly black female audience who commonly wear wigs, weaves or hairpieces, reflecting the consumerist nature of magazines
• Cover lines as enigma codes


  They tease the audience and draw them in to read the full articles
• Choice of Naomi Harris as cover star


  • Suggests the target audience is black women, reflecting their underrepresentation in mainstream media
  • However, her straightened hair perpetuates Western ideals of beauty over more natural black hair
• The cover line "how far would you go to be beautiful"


  Suggests the magazine still encourages women to change their appearance to be more attractive, despite some more progressive content
• Inclusive language


  Use of "we" and direct address like "how far would you go" engages the audience and makes them feel part of the magazine
• For a media language question, you need to analyse things like colour, body language, facial expressions, connotations of cover lines, and how conventional or unconventional the magazine is compared to others
• For a representation question, you need to compare how women, ethnicity, and other aspects are represented in this magazine versus an unseen magazine provided by the exam board