Front Cover Analysis

How far is media language used differently in one of the extracts from Mojo and we love pop magazines to reflect genre conventions?

In your answer you must

- analyse examples of how media language is used differently in the extracts
- make judgements and reach conclusions about whether there are more similarities due to genre contentions that differences in the extracts. (15)

    extract 1                                         extract 2

One way media language is used differently in both extracts is through the use of colour. In extract 1, the colours are bright and bold, their is a variety of all different colours. This could connote life and fun within the genre, conforming to the usual stereotype of pop being a fun and exciting part of the industry. On the other hand, extract 2 differs to extract 1, although there is a splash of colour consisting of the pink and yellow, the dark tones reflect the genre of the magazine, rock. The splash of pink is a counter type of how the rock genre is usually presented as it is seen as quite serious and to connote that usually use dark colours such as black and grey. The dark colours therefore are a stereotype of how rock is usually presented due to it being darker and bolder appealing to the rock audience of a middle aged man. 

Another way media language is used differently in both extracts is through the lay out of the magazine. Extract 1 is very busy, there are cover lines clustered around the magazine. There are a variety of different images and bold fonts to attract the target audience of a teenage girl. This differs to extract 2 due to extract 2 being more organised and set. There is a main image and only one other image , they use colloquial language in order to appear as laid back, conforming to the stereotype of the rock genre being rather chill unlike the pop genre which is more immature. The boldness of the main article 'sex pistols'  connotes their importance within the genre. 

One other way, media language is used differently in both extracts is the main images within both magazines. In extract 1, the main image of Rita Ora is the largest image, connoting her importance within pop. The fact she is smiling, conforms to the stereotype of pop music being a fun and enjoyable genre of music. On the other hand in extract 2, Johnny rotton is making direct contact with the readers of the magazine, connoting his power within rock music. Due to his facial expression being rather serious, conforms to the stereotype of the rock genre being serious, appealing to stereotypical rock fans, men. 

In conclusion both magazines are very different due to the two different genres appealing to both very different target audiences, 13 year old girls and 40 year old men.