media language

Question 1

where is the branded masthead conventionally placed?
why does it stand out?

Answer 1

in the top left-handed corner also called as the z-rule
it stands out due to choice of gold font connoting luxury and exclusivity, all traits that the brand associates with.

Question 2

what is the limited colour palette?

Answer 2

black, white, gold and orange

Question 3

what does the colour palette create a sense of?

Answer 3

cohesion to the design

Question 4

what does the colour palette reinforce?

Answer 4

reinforces the magazines messages of luxury, sophistication and masculinity

Question 5

what is the type of shot of the footballer on the front cover?
why this type of shot?

Answer 5

long shot
to ensure the magazine has star appeal for the audience

Question 6

what does the cover price further reinforces?

Answer 6

it is a print magazine
aimed at an abc1 audience with disposable income

Question 7

what might have took place when creating this magazine cover?

Answer 7

the selection process

Question 8

how might have they created this magazine cover?

Answer 8

clearly a conscious decision to aim it at men who are interested in fashion, celebrity, politics, music and sport

Question 9

who is the footballer on the front cover called?

Answer 9

raheem sterling

Question 10

how is the cover star seemingly making eye contact?

Answer 10

by looking directly at the audience

Question 11

why is making eye contact a common convention of magazines?

Answer 11

it helps to add to the more personal approach of this format

Question 12

what does his cool, relaxed gaze and slight smile looks down at the reader suggest?

Answer 12

that she should be admired and looked up to

Question 13

what are his leather combat trousers and boots considered as?
what are the connotations?

Answer 13

more high fashion than practical
connotes luxury and masculinity, whilst further indicating to readers that gq is a lifestyle magazine

Question 14

what does the main cover line, “guardian angel. how raheem sterling saves football from itself” suggest and what are the multiple connotations?

Answer 14

suggesting his professional role as a footballer being anchored in the main cover line
connotes a sense of guidance and protection suggesting he is looking after players and the values of the game by rooting out racism

Question 15

how is the idea of him doing morally good work being reinforced through?

Answer 15

through his black angel wings and cross tattoo

Question 16

what is he framed as? why?

Answer 16

frames as a Proppian Hero because it is conventional for magazine cover stars

Question 17

what 2 cover lines should be considered when thinking about the magazine’s target audience?

Answer 17

“How to wear a broken suit” and “Why it’s finally OK to own a belt bag”

Question 18

the top cover lines considering when thinking about the magazine’s target audience, what does it heavily focus on?
why?

Answer 18

focuses heavily on aesthetics and where having the ‘right’ look is apparently extremely important which the reader will begin to think of this magazine as a casual ‘how to’ guide when it comes to being a fashionable man
they have perhaps done to due to the competitive society today

Question 19

what is the cover line at the top right of the shape advertising a picture special from?

Answer 19

gq heroes

Question 20

what does the cover line “all the sizzle” imply?

Answer 20

implies gossip and celebrity intrigue

Question 21

what does the term “exclusive” suggest?

Answer 21

suggest the reader won’t be able to find it anywhere else and will be required to purchase the magazine to feel ‘exclusive’ and to know the secrets

Question 22

what does the right-hand side of the page the reader is offered?

Answer 22

politics

Question 23

what does the cover line“Westminster has become a living nightmare. Andy Burnham’s Manchester masterplan.” reference?

Answer 23

the hyperbolic language is a reference to the elected mayor of Manchester who is calling for more devolved power to be given to cities rather than held by the government in London

Question 24

what is the magazine offering for its audience members? (3)

Answer 24

serious journalism
entertainment
fashion advice

Question 25

how is the magazine linked to ‘narrative’?

Answer 25

cover lines on the front cover tease people to want to read certain stories within the magazine (could be linked to Roland Barthes’ enigma codes), for example “Speak no evil. Inside the most brutal dictatorship you’ve never heard of.”