Research And Planning: Textual Analysis Of A Student/College Magazine

The masthead is used to distinguish one college magazine from another. The layout of the masthead, with the word “life” turned upside down and fitted into the end of the word “campus” looks quite cool and funky which connotes that college life is pretty cool and funky too. The colour of the masthead compliments the other colours on the front cover e.g. the black on the man’s shirt and the colour of his hair. By using complimentary colours this makes the cover look more attractive and therefore more appealing to the audience. Also the colour of the masthead is very neutral which connotes that the magazine is for both males and females.



 There is no price on the cover of the magazine as it is free. People can read the magazine online. Magazine editors realise the power of internet to reach to a much wider audience as most students spend most of their time online and don’t have much money so the magazine will get read a lot more by students if it is online.

The puff is used to display promotions and offers throughout the magazine. The word “win” is the largest to emphasize that it is possible for you to win. The use of the colours red and white for the puff makes it stand out and catches the audience’s eye. Therefore persuades the audience into reading the magazine as there is a chance that they could be a winner. It’s also an exclusive offer to the magazine which makes the audience feel that the offer is exclusive to them.

 The cover model is the main focal point of the picture on the front cover, this is made obvious as the background of the picture is blurred, and this draws the attention of the reader. It also connotes to the audience that he may be of some kind of importance throughout the magazine. The cover model is also looking directly at the audience, which draws them in. He also looks quite muscular and almost powerful, almost like a bouncer, which connotes that college life is safe with people like him around.

The coverlines are in a smaller font which makes them seem less important. The explanatory parts of the coverlines are in white, which makes them easier to read and easier for the audience to focus on. Also the explanatory parts are the more interesting and persuasive parts e.g. “fashion accessories and much more…” therefore been able to see these parts will add to the persuasion for people to read the magazine.

In the top right hand corner is the word “Contents”.  This is written in quite bold lettering. It is wrote in the colours black and grey to make it stand out and to catch the reader’s attention. There are also four images on the contents page which allows the reader to have a better understanding of what is to come in the magazine and this better understanding of what is to come may make the reader want to read on. The headlines on the contents page are in larger and bolder font to attract attention to them, so that the reader will then read the information below. Also the white space around the text improves the clarity of the page, and by having a clear contents page makes the information easier to read.

The masthead on this college magazine cover is quite bold, and is sans-serif. With the font been sans serif it connotes that the content of the magazine may be quite informal, which is suitable for a college magazine as it can relate to the students as most students talk in an informal manner. Also the style of font is quite funky and quirky which could connote that college life is like this too.

The shot type of the cover model is a long shot, which allows us to see her stance, and it looks quite casual and laidback. This connotes that this is what college life is like. Also this could persuade the audience into coming to the college and also into reading the magazine to find out if college life is what they seem to be promoting on the cover. The cover models clothing is quite colourful and stylish, it also looks quite outgoing, which suits the target audience.

The use of colour on the magazine makes it stand out and catch the reader’s eye. The use of graffiti in the background makes the magazine look youthful so it will appeal to its target audience. It also connotes that the magazine is quite adventurous, which is suitable for students as they are quite adventurous as well. There are different colours on the magazine cover, including pink and green, so it appeals to both genders, therefore the magazine should have more people reading it. 

The contents page of this magazine is very bright and bold and therefore catches the reader’s eye, as do the bold coverlines.

The centeral image on the contents page is very interesting which could connote that college is life is interesting. Also the image is of a cartoon, which also connotes a sense of youth and therefore connotes that college life is youthful too.