MEDIA STUDIES GCSE ASSIGNMENT 1a and 1b Student Sheet Analytical Task (10 marks): To Analyse two Magazine Front

Covers. How effective are they in selling appealing to a specific target audience? 500 words total 1a. To analyse the front covers you will need to think about how the publishers make the them attractive to the audience. You should comment on: The denotation and the connotations of the following:

Photographs: the people who are pictured - the way they are dressed, posed, their expressions, where they are looking, reasons for the choices made, the connotations of these choices and therefore the meaning which has been created. Copy (or writing): how the copy creates the theme, is directed at a specific audience, the anticipated effect on that audience and the ways in which the words persuade them to buy the magazine? Format and design devices: how the use of specific type fonts, colours, boxes, allignment etc helps to convey specific messages to the audience about the magazine and other product related to it. You should ensure that you comment on: the colours the fonts (typography) including the Masthead, headlines etc. the images including photography the backgrounds & locations any slogans the lighting and mise en scene of the photographs or anything else that helps to sell the product. Use Media terminology where appropriate and show that you recognise codes and conventions of Magazine front covers. You will need to say something about who the audiences for the products are (think about demographics - age, social class, gender, ethnicity) and decide how effective you think the front covers are in persuading these audiences.

Aim for 350 words BUT NOT ESSAY STYLE PROSE.

1b. Research and Planning Task (5 marks): Design your own advertisement for a product targeted at a specific audience.
Think carefully about your new product and who the target audience would be. Design your advertisement on paper (or on the computer) drawing and labeling your work carefully. Apply advertising codes and conventions creatively. Consider what you have learned about Media Language in terms of colours, fonts, images and copy. You may use original digital photography and a design programme/application like InDesign (available through VAST) or Publisher (though do not use the images and graphics from the app only the layout) and pleas ensure that it fits with what would be expected from a REAL magazine cover. You can also work in draft on paper with drawings if you prefer. Marking and Levels for this depend on your ability to show originality and clear understanding of the conventions of magazine covers. Examples of these will be available online. You must write a brief explanation of how your advertisement would appeal to its target audience.

Aim for 150 words again notes to show your understanding and explaining the choices you have made.

Mr Holloway