SOAP COVER DECONSTRUCTIONS

Date: Date in the top right hand corner so audience can see when the magazine was released/when the next release will be. Radio Times – weekly

Masthead: Masthead always remains the same making it easily accessible for the audience.Lower case lettering.

Features: List of features down the side of magazine , not anchored on the star because they are different related features.

Main feature: Main feature includes a big close up of the connected star with an anchored caption to give audience more information of what’s inside.

Banner: The word is capitalised ‘FREEVIEW’ shows that the publisher understands and caters for audience’s needs.

Website: Directly above the masthead. Gives the reader another way to access the brand.

Star: The star David Tennant fills up the majority of the front cover being the only image of it. Looking directly into the camera smiling persuading them to buy it.

Caption: Caption relating to main feature of ‘Doctor who’ so is also anchored on the star implying this. More information telling reader what feature is about - ‘Single Father Sunday BBC1’ and ‘David Tennant feeling broody’.

Barcode, price and region: Barcode, price and region in bottom right hand corner. Tells audience how much the magazine costs - £1.10.

Colour scheme: Colour scheme of just the three colours red, white and black. Pulls the front cover together making everything look as if it's all linked together and is correctly placed.

EXAMPLES OF RADIO TIMES

Mainly one single image and usually star is looking at the camera. Star over the masthead because the star has a bigger name that magazine. ‘Classy look’

Masthead: Masthead always remains in the same font – looking like it has been hand written or even written in lipstick appealing to a young female target audience.

Features: List of other features down the side of magazine , anchored on Kim’s dress but just misses her leg so implies the features of different to the image.

Colour scheme: Mainly three colours black/grey, orange and white. Makes the magazine look neat and well put together. This particular magazine looks even classier by the colours blending in to one another.

Star: Kim and Kourtney appear to be fighting over a handbag attracting the target audience.Kim intersects start of masthead implying she’s an inspirational figure and more well-known than her sister.

Date: Date in the top corner, tidily positioned around the masthead again making the magazine have a ‘classy look’.

Caption: Caption underneath subtitle giving more information on main feature, persuading audience to buy it.

Main feature: Kardashian sisters, Kim and Kourtney. The image of them both covers the whole of the magazine and with text between the two links to the article.

EXAMPLES OF FABULOUS

Only one star who is looking directly at camera. Star over the masthead again because the star has a bigger name that magazine. ‘Classy look’

Masthead: Masthead always in same position, font and colour of white. Stands out on any background so makes it easy for audience to find.

Features: Different features places around the cover – trying to fit as many in as possible whilst maintaining a classy look.

Main feature: Main feature includes Lost characters with a clearly anchored subtitle on the main character.

Colour scheme: Colour scheme of blue yellow and white pulling the cover all together to create an overall classy look.

Banner: The banner states that the magazine is ‘best for sky & virgin’ two main popular TV services – catering for a wide target audience.

Date: Date precisely placed around masthead and doesn’t appear out of place on the cover because of where it’s positioned.

Star: Four stars from the programme Lost all feature on the cover. Clearly shows the hierarchy of the characters by how they are positioned – who’s in front of who.

Website: Website just below masthead, giving audience more access to TV&Satellite Week

EXAMPLES OF TV&SATELLITE

Multiple images and features on cover. One main image however taking up the majority of the page. Classy look as all features are neatly placed around the cover

Button: Button in top left hand corner saying ‘2 weeks revealed’ (always on soaplife cover) implying the magazine is value for its money worth

Masthead: Masthead big and red – easily seen and is always the same so therefore recognisable to audience

Features: A total of 6 features. Cramming in as much information they can to make it seem that the magazine is worth buying

Main feature: Main feature is a mid close up with the main characters at the front and sub character behind

Colour scheme: Lots of colours – making the magazine bright and stand out and again look as busy as possible Barcode, price and region:

Barcode, price and region in bottom right hand corner. Tells audience how much the magazine costs

Banner: Even more soap stories in the banner from Corrie – Soaplife trying to cram as much information as possible on the cover.

Website: Website in the corner of magazine – another way the audience can access the brand

Star: Lots of stars but main stars have specifically been photographed for the magazine whereas others are of clips from the soap.

Caption: Caption ‘WHO WILL BE DADDY?’ in capital lettering to catch eyes and gets straight to the point of the storyline behind it – easy for audience to understand

EXAMPLES OF SOAP LIFE

Various stars and features. ‘Trashy look’ although crams as much information is as possible to make audience believe they’re getting value for their money.