Music Magazines: Media Language

Media language and the analysis of magazines

All music magazines use similar codes and conventions. The media language in MOJO is distinctive and
creates a brand identity or ‘house style’ that readers come to recognise. Each MOJO looks similar, but
features completely fresh content with each new monthly edition. You can see this when comparing
how other magazines use the same codes and conventions to suggest their different brand identity.

Media Language refers to the codes and conventions used by all magazines. This media language is the
subject terminology you need to learn and use when analysing any magazine product.

 layout – e.g. any distinctive use of layout, the proportion of space, image and copy, the use of
cluttered or ordered layout, the use of symmetrical and asymmetrical layout, house style
 typography – e.g. serif and sans-serif typefaces, specialist typefaces, bold, italics
 colour – e.g. colour tones, colour saturation, house style
 images – e.g. graphics, camerawork and mise-en-scène in photography, digital manipulation
 use of language – e.g. formal and informal registers, direct mode of address, puns,
colloquialisms, slang
 how the media language portrays aspects of reality, presents a point of view, and represents
the world to create messages and values – e.g. what is celebrated or criticised by the media
language
 how the magazine uses the advantages of print technology – e.g. colour saturation, glossy
presentation, detailed copy (writing)
 the generic conventions of music magazines – e.g. front cover dominated by images of
musicians, style of the magazine reflects the genre of music, the magazine assumes and
addresses the audiences’ fandom
 use of intertextuality in music magazines – eg: references to other media products.

Connotations

According to media examiners, for each element of media language analysed, you need to discuss their
connotations. Typical examples include:

Element Examples Typical connotations

Cluttered layout Informality, plenty, energy
Layout
Ordered layout Formality, authority, organisation
Serif fonts Tradition, formality, sophistication
Typography
Sans serif fonts Modernity, informality, no-nonsense
Saturated primary colours Energy, youthfulness, brightness
Colour
Muted colour mixes Sophistication, elegance
Formal register Formality, objectivity, authority
Use of
language Informal register, with direct address and Personal connection, sharing,
colloquialisms brashness

Look at the two magazine titles MOJO and We Love Pop and consider how they use media language to
create different connotations or meanings.
Media Language Analysis
The analysis of MOJO has been completed. You need to complete the same analysis based on We Love Pop.

MOJO

Layout: Ordered content with the cover lines mostly aligned and one central image to connote seriousness
and authenticity of musicians featured.
Typography: Exclusively sans-serif typefaces and capitalisation used to connote modernity.
Colour: The colour palette is mostly limited to black and white plus touches of muted red. The brown
background connotes sophistication and elegance but hints at the celebration of retro that American
country/rock n roll music inspires.
Image: The main image uses a colour image of the singer-songwriter with his guitar but with a sepia effect
to connote the retro American singer-songwriter style of the artist depicted. He looks seriously into the
distance rather than using direct mode of address reflecting how this is an out of date image back at the time
when the interview featured happened.
Language: The language makes references to famous Dylan tracks connotes the influence his major hits
(such as On the Road Again and Hurricane) had on popular culture showing how MOJO is all about musical
knowledge.
Portraying Reality: The media language presents a wold that celebrates serious artistic endeavour.
Technology: The pages uses the ability to print to produce a rich brown background.
Generic conventions: The font cover is dominated by an image of a musician reflecting the serious style of
the magazine and the values of ‘classic rock’ and musical heritage. The magazine assumes and addresses the
audiences fandom for the artists on the cover.
Intertextuality: The references used in the cover lines show references to music and cultural stories about
the artists featured.

We Love Pop
Task: Analyse how media language is used in the extract from We Love Pop.