Magazine Key Terms

Every text has its own 'media language' or ' 'conversations' which belong to that specific form. E.g. magazines have mastheads, tv dramas have credits.

The reader of a media text.

The literal or direct interpretation of a sign/symbol/word.

The suggested or implied meaning deduced from a word/sign/symbol.

The messages, implied and direct meanings suggested by a media text about a particular person or social group.

The large text of a newspaper or magazine, placed on the front page and identifying the brand name.

Often placed above or near the masthead, the sell line identifies and celebrates the main content style of the magazine.

A marketing device used to attract the reader. It's usually a word or phrase on the front cover that makes the reader want to read inside of the magazine.

Short statements found on the cover of the magazine that allude to or describe the articles inside. Their purpose is to entice the reader into picking up/buying the magazine. Generally there's a main one that's larger a few smaller ones.

This will be the biggest cover line and often links to the main image (together forming a splash). The line will either tell the audience about some content, or start the name of the cover star, thus becoming a model credit.

Text/copy quoted from an article and enlarged/placed in a prominent place to engage the audience.

A story designed to stand out from the rest of the page by using a different typeface and layout.

Any picture/photo/graphic used in a text.

Any written text.

A consistent production style (colours/fonts/layout) used by a publication such as magazines in order to present a recognisable and identifiable brand.