Textual Analysis of Sixth Form Magazines

King Edward IV college, Stourbridge Masthead tilted at a slight angle makes it more interesting as it is unconventional for a magazine. The lettering hanging over the black box of the masthead is also unconventional and makes the magazine appear more ‘edgy’ and unusual. It reinforces the magazine’s tagline of being created ‘for students by students’ because the masthead looks more informal than a brochure for parents or staff.

Students shot at a mid shot (conforming to codes and conventions of a regular magazine) but at a canted angle, to appear less formal. Body language of the subjects is very friendly and they are arranged so that they all appear comfortable with each other.

Language used in puffs are informal, often using puns. The use of exclamation marks shows the content is light hearted yet exciting.

Using ‘our’ gratifies student readers by making them feel included and a sense of community

The cover has no anchor image or anchorage text (it is unclear whether the students pictured are actually featured in the magazine) this breaks the codes and conventions of a commercial magazine but is a common feature in sixth form magazines.

Cover line unclear against the busy green background

serif typography has been used to create a professional and classy touch to the cover, showing the magazine is still representing an academic college

King Edward IV college, Stourbridge

Contents format is set out clearly with images around the outside (similar to a brochure rather than a magazine)

Sans serif typography doesn’t match the serif typography on the cover.

As there is a lot of plain black text on the contents page, images are all rotated slightly to make the page look less formal.

Drop shadows on images create a three dimensional effect to make the informative page more interesting.

Numbers next to images anchor the image to a specific page number, suggesting that the image is associated with the feature on that page.

Blackpool sixth form magazine

Masthead has sleek & modern font to suggest the sixth form college is up to date and aimed at students rather than parents. The continued font scheme makes the magazine look professionalcover in poster layout breaks codes and conventions of a sixth form magazine and entices the reader minimal cover lines make the cover look more artistic and less commercial-centred.

The main image shows a leaf spray painted onto a brick wall, this ties in with the cover line ‘eco action’ and gives the cover an edgy house style, as well as the green leaf having connotations of nature and environmental concerns.

High contrast background image of worn away bricks reinforces the idea of the magazine being unconventional and edgy

Blackpool sixth form magazine

Image montage in separate column to text so readers can read the text more easilyimages aren’t anchored to a specific page number, suggesting the images are just to create a general picture of what the magazine will feature.

Plain white background with black sans serif text suggests the purpose of the contents is to inform readers rather than entice them to read, as the text is formatted to be as legible as possible.

Contents title does not conform to the font scheme established on the coverand doesn’t create any sense of continuity - the smaller cover image at the bottom of the page is the only clear indicator that this contents page belongs to the same magazine.Images of predominantly students suggest that the target readership is sixth form students but the simple informative layout does not reflect that.

Language used in page titles is relatively chatty/informal, appealing to a younger audience

Stoke Newington ‘spotlight magazine’

Masthead unconventionally at the bottom of the page suggests the magazine is aiming to look more unusual‘spotlight’ suggests the magazine is performance or art orientated, main images illustrate this. Main image format is unconventional (no main subject or rule of thirds) illuminated objects against a black background create dramatic effect which fits the masthead ‘spotlight’, as the objects are lit as if they are on stage. Simple black background adds to the sense of minimalism and the magazine looking artistic.

No coverlines create a subtle sense of mystery as the readers are expecting the codes and conventions of a stereotypical commercial or school magazine. Minimal texts fits the artistic minimalist theme

Stoke Newington ‘spotlight magazine’Letter fromhead teacher adresses ‘parents and carers’ clearly establishing the target audiencepage layout is factual and informative with clear black sans serif text on white background

layout completely different from the artistic minimal cover

contents page has less images than the other two magazines and is a lot more text intensive as it is aimed at parents who want to be informed