Textual Analysis

College Magazine Analysation

Masthead

The masthead ‘Chalk’ is as been positioned at the top of the magazine cover is capture the audience’s attention instantly. The font of the masthead is bold and attention grabbing as the shape is very circular and inviting. The font used is Sans serif; this font would have been used as it is very modern and will grab the attention of the younger generation. The pink coloured masthead implies that the magazine is aimed at young girls. The magazine is named ‘Chalk’ this relates to the college content of the magazine. Chalk boards are the traditional way of teachers displaying what they want their class to learn. This is the aim of the magazine also to display, show and give information to the reader and to teach them something. Chalk is associated with school and work. This is another reason why the magazine was named ‘Chalk’. The young girl’s head is covering a part of the masthead, this connotes that the magazine is well known, recognisable and popular enough so the audience already know what it is called and will therefore read it.

Coverlines

There are many coverlines placed at the sides of the front cover. They are positioned in this way so the text will not obstruct the image. The sans serif font is repetitively used to modernise the magazine cover. Though the same font is used repetitively the font does not look overdone as the size of the font is varied. This variation allows the front cover to look fun and entertaining.  The colours used for the coverlines are different from the colours of the background and the image. Therefore the coverlines are very clear, easy to read and do not make the words hard to read. As the magazine is aimed at young teenage girls, assortments of colours are used to capture their attention and attraction. As a result of this they will read it. The colours of the coverlines are very cohesive and tie in well together. The most interesting content in the magazine is placed on the front cover of the college magazine as this is what the audience will first read before they open the magazine to read it. This is why coverlines are so important for the distribution and marketing of a magazine.

Dateline

The date is clearly positioned underneath masthead. This is not the traditional way the dates are positioned [usually by the barcode and price]. This may has been done to add some edginess to the magazine cover. The date is written as ‘AUG 10’ and not ‘AUGUST 2010’. Writing the full date makes the magazine seem formal, whereas the abbreviated date allows the magazine to look interesting and young. The date in written in two bold and visible colours. This brings an element of excitement to a feature not so interesting.

Barcode

A barcode is positioned in the bottom left corner of the magazine. Ths creates more space for the articles and images that will capture the interest and attention of the readers. There is usually a price by the barcode, but as there is no price this could mean that the magazine is a free college magazine.

Selling Line

‘Chalk’ magazines selling line is ‘Were online!  chalkmagazine.multiply.com’. This is Chalk magazines marketing point as they have now opened a new website. Like many magazines updating to new technology, Chalk magazine has now done the same and wants their audience to know about it. Chalk magazines target audience is young adults; young adults spend a lot of time on computers. They will be interested in the magazine and what it is like. The use of the exclamation mark attracts the young audience immediately.  As this issue of the magazine is attracting young girls the use of the exclamation mark is relevant and useful as girls are more likely to read a text with exclamation marks.  The website is the magazines marketing point as the more people visit the website, the more money they make i.e. advertising and sponsorships.  

Main Image

Chalk is an academic magazine but it appeals to the readers as it contains enjoyable and entertaining fashion advice and stories on successful college students. The main image of the magazine will instantly capture the attention of potential college, whether it is a boy or girl. The young woman is Kim Chiu she is of Asian origin [half Pilipino and half Chinese]. She went on to win Best Teen Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition in the Philippines. She is also an actress, singer, host and a model. She is very well known among the teenage demographic for her fun and bubbly personality. She is a good role model for teenagers as she has taken advantage of her in a positive way.  This is the reason why she was chosen to be on the front page of the magazine. This may even be for her own personal publicity to continue to be seen as a ‘good girl’. A college magazine would be the best place to for Kim Chiu for achieve this. Her look interprets what type of magazine she is modelling for. She wears a buttoned polo shirt which is button to the top. Her polo shirt is a statement piece as it shows she is a positive role model to young women. She does not need to show her skin in order to look attractive. The print on the polo shirt is a traditional school/academic print that is on the shirts and skirts of pupils. This relates to the college magazine. Her skirt is also below knee length, this is unusual for a college student as they usually wear casual demin shorts. She has minimal makeup and she looks very happy, many teenage girls want to feel this way Kim still looks attractive without the need to show her skin. This done is to convey a positive image and message to the students reading this magazine.  

Main Coverline

The main coverline is ‘Kim Chiu Living the Dream’.  The main coverline immediately catches the reader’s attention as it is written in a bright yellow sans sheriff font. This font attracts the readers and allows the main coverline look even more appealing. The content of the main coverline would be what the target audience would read first as it is placed in the centre of all the coverlines on the front cover. Many young people have dreams they want to come true and may find some inspiration from Kim Chui’s story. She is famous in the Philippines so the young readers want to know about her living the life she had always wanted.  As the main feature article in the magazine, the main coverline has to hold the attention of readers. I believe ‘Chalk’ magazine achieves this. 

The Puff

A puff is positioned underneath the masthead and beside the face of Chiu. This is because this is the area of the front cover that the reader will look at the most. The puff is in a different coloured circle as it needs to be visible and readable. It contains the text ‘The number one campus magazine in the country’. They are very proud of their magazine as it is very successful. This will lure the target audience into picking up the magazine as it is popular and the best campus magazine in the whole of the country. It has to be good so they can’t miss out. They have used the puff as their selling point as people are more likely to buy something if it is the best. They have not gone for the ‘Win Win!’ approach [which is with the coverlines] but have reserved its status as the number one magazine to be placed in the puff.