| Magazine | Date and Issue |
 |
Issue 1342
21-27th January 2019 |
Analyse the connotations of the different elements of media language:
| Elements of Media Language | Analysis of meanings (including specific examples) |
| Overall layout/composition | Brain the central feature of the cover ‘calling out’ the reader, cohesive colours alongside the bold yellow and black. |
| Masthead | The Big Issue prominent in the top left corner |
| Cover lines | “The science of apathy & empathy” tells you about the content of the magazines and what it will discuss, displays the scientific aspect of the issue. |
| Font size. Type, colour etc | Thick, bold font in bright yellow stands out from the less saturated colours it is surrounded with |
| Images/Photographs (shot type, angle, focus) | The brain separated into its segments, a cross section type image of the head |
| Mise En Scene | |
| Language/Anchorage | ‘Apathy and empathy’ callouts labelling the brain |
| Narrative established | The language makes the reader consider their own actions |
How does the combination of elements of media language:
| Communicate messages and values?
|
Encourages empathy and discourages the mentality of ignoring homelessness and treating homeless people badly, comes at homelessness from the perspective of the homeless rather than people who don’t know what it’s like to be in that situation. |
| Reflect the political/social/cultural context?
|
In today’s society homelessness is often ignored as an issue and people can look down on homeless people, this calls out this attitude and makes people consider a more empathetic view of those around them. The bright yellow labels act as cover lines and call outs to the viewer. |
| Establish the brand identity of the magazine?
|
As a magazine sold through homeless vendors as a method to create jobs and an income for them they would be working closely with the homeless and how they feel when treated like this. |
| Construct and appeal to its target audience?
|
People buying The Big Issue might already be interested in the topic of social issues like homelessness and poverty, so these topics are likely of interest to them.
The biggest text displays the topic of homelessness so it is likely one of the first things a viewer of the magazine would see. |
How do these representations reflect the industry context/ ideology of The Big Issue?
The Big Issue intends to give jobs to the homeless as it is often difficult for them to find work and gain a steady income, thus the magazine will be reflecting their views in
Jennifer Higgins - Media Studies 