Soap Opera Genre-

Ancillary Product Analysis

Masthead The masthead is big and stands out from the rest of the magazine so it can get brand recognition on the shelf when other competitors are surrounding it. The connotations of the colour contrast of red and white make the brand logo stand out and catches the audiences eye. The verbal code “What’s on TV” connotes to the audience what is actually on TV.

PuffThe use of the puff is another technique to catch the eye of the audience because it normally stands by being a certain shape and a different colour to the rest of the cover. The verbal codes “Big Week” connote how big the shows are that are being scheduled and you need to read about them in What’s on TV.

Cover LineThe cover line stories are essential conventions to a front cover because they are “backs ups” to the main headline; if the main headline doesn’t catch the attention then the cover line might because it is a text they enjoyand helps provide further USPs to the magazine. The use of the cover lines being separated from the main story implies that they are not as significant as the main story.

Bold OutlinesThis is to represent the high importance of the article in question on this front cover. This successfully draws the attention of the reader and making them read the article.

Main Image (MCU)

Date

Main HeadlineThe main headline is also a convention that has to catch the readers eye if they want it sell, because if it’s not interesting they won’t read it. The use of yellow connotes how important the story is and for to stand out on the page with the use of a black outline.

Use of punctuation to sensationalise a storyThis punctuation normally expresses another side to the story by putting across that this story is impactful which draws in the consumers of the magazine. This connotes that the story is big news and the audience have to watch to find out was is going to happen.

The non-verbal code of the main image is the convention that has to catch the eye of the audience so it has to ‘inform’ (Katz) the audience something. This image connotes a feeling of Roxy being under threat from Derek who is portraying a monkey on the back of the character with the use of a medium close up.

The date is highly important because it lets the reader know when the actual episode is going to be released in comparison to the issue. This connotes a way of engaging the audience with the time frame that is given until the episode is released.

Background: the background colour is consistently blue in every

magazine from What’s on TV so it creates brand recognition for the magazine.

Analysis of What’s On TV

• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980):• By having the main image overlapping the masthead. This gives off a

sense of professionalism and brings the main story to the centre of focus. Furthermore the use of the positioning of the characters on the shot portray the storyline.

• The main headline covering most of the page and taking most of the attention. This attracts the audience to the article makes them want to read the article.

• Sensationalising the punctuation is key to adding emotion such as shock to the storyline. This will draw in the reader to the magazine and make them want to read the article.

• The bold outlines to the headlines and cover lines are a convention that I would like to repeat because makes the stories stand out by drawing the attention of the reader.

Main ImageThe main image is the convention that has to catch the eye of the consumer otherwise the magazine won’t sell. The non-verbal code of this image connotes the severity of the issue being covered with his facial expression in this medium close up.

MastheadThe verbal code of the masthead is key to convincing the audience to buy the magazine because it has to stand out from the rest in the market. The colour contrast of red and white connote a strong way of portraying storylines that will continue throughout the issue.

PuffThe use of a puff is key to catching the audiences eye because it stands out from the rest of the magazine by being a different shape and colour so it can be noticed. The text connotes how the price of the magazine is going to attract new readers.

Cover LineCover lines are pivotal to a magazine because it “backs ups” the main stories so there is more to read about in the issue. The text ‘Corrie Shock’ presents a verbal code of shock which connotes to how important this cover story is.

Use of punctuation to sensationalise a storyThe punctuation in the main headline is normally used to increase the impact of the story on the reader and how important it is to the show. This connotes the punctuation expressing how big the story is in terms of the show itself, as well as being the same colour as the headline which makes it stand out more.

Main HeadlineThe verbal code of the main headline has to catch the eye of the audience otherwise the consumers will not read or buy the issue. The use of yellow connotes the importance of the story and so it stands out on the page.

DateThe date is key to ‘informing’ (Katz) the reader to know when this story will be portrayed in an episode in comparison to the release date. This connotes another way of engaging the audience into the show being promoted.

Analysis of TV Choice

• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980):

• The use of the masthead dominating the top right hand corner of the page to gain brand recognition. The contrasts in colours make this stand out to the consumer.

• The use of a puff can be useful because it a convention is put onto a magazine front cover stand out to the public either expressing how cheap the magazine is or advertising stories.

• Using multiple images on the front cover. This makes the cover look busy and connote to the audience that there is a lot of content to read about.

MastheadThe masthead is big and has to stand out from the rest of the magazine so it can get brand recognition. The colour contrast with red and white make the name of the magazine clearly stand out from competitors. The verbal code of ‘Inside Soap’ connotes what is happening in the world of soaps to the audience.

PuffThe use of the puff is way to catch the consumers eye from the rest of the page. This is done by with it normally being a different colour and in bold type. The verbal code of ‘Corrie Special’ connotes that this is a one off big episode from the show with a big storyline coming to an end that you have to watch.

Cover LineThe cover lines are the conventions that look to back with the main headline with other interesting storylines that could draw in the public. This helps to provide more USP’s to the magazine to help it stand out from the rest of the market.

Main Image (MCU)The non-verbal code of the main image is the convention that has to catch the eye of the audience so it has to ‘inform’ (Katz) the audience something. This image connotes the feelings of the two characters the kid and the woman with the kid expressing a forlorn look because of the context of the event of ‘Kylie’s tragic goodbye’.

DateThe date is highly important because it lets the reader know when the actual episode is going to be released in comparison to the issue. This connotes a way of engaging the audience with the time frame that is given until the episode is released.

Main HeadlineThe main headline is another key convention in selling the magazine because it is the first text the customer see, so if it’s not appealing they won’t buy it. The orange standing out connotes a warning feel to the story and the importance of the story is exclaimed by the bold outlines.

Analysis of Inside Soap

• I would ‘repeat’ (Steve Neale – 1980):• The use of the masthead going across the majority of the

page at the top to get clear brand recognition. Also with this specific colour contrast allows it to stand out from the rest of the page.

• The use of the date above the masthead is a key convention because it allows the audience to know when the issue was released and can relate when the episodes will be in the TV.

• Another convention that I would repeat would be the use of cover lines scattering around the main headline. This is because these stories can also catch the eye and back up the main headline if it doesn’t appeal to the public.