Genre Research

Summary of Conventions

Conventions Analysis Double Page Spread

L - The language used in this double page spread, seems to have words associated with the rock genre ('wild child', 'outrageous'). By using this semantic field, the article may make those reading it feel as though there's quite a dark vibe to Taylor Momsen, and perhaps that she defies stereotypes of female rock artists. The way that certain words are highlighted emphasizes their importance, thus words like 'mistakes' may be used to make the reader curious as to what mistakes Momsen has made in her life.
R - The way in which this double page spread is pretended plays on conventions, as women are often associated with pink, so pink text is used on a black background. The black is used to give the article a dark, rocky mood, whereas the pink contrasts this as it isn't often associated with rock. The article is about a female artist, which possibly suggests that there are an increasing amount of female artists in the rock genre, or perhaps it could suggest that female artists are becoming more popular. 

Conventions Analysis Contents Page

L - The headings of articles are quite brief. This may be done to intrigue the reader, or allow them to get straight to the point. The Editor's Note at the top of the page uses direct in order to make reader's feel more involved in the magazine, and to give them an insight into what the creator's of the magazine were feeling when they published the magazine. Perhaps by including an Editor's Note, readers will also be able to feel as though they have more of a connection with the creator's of the magazine, because it shows that someone has been there, putting the work in to create what they're about to read.
R - Once again, there are few female artists presented on the contents page, suggesting that this article is based heavily on male artists. This could imply to readers that the rock industry is dominated by male artists, and that female artists perhaps aren't as well known for creating popular music. 

Conventions Analysis Front Cover and Brief

Main Brief : To design a front cover, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine. All images and text used must be original. A minimum of four pictures must be used. 

LIIAR Analysis

L- Some of the language used in this cover has a certain degree of urgency to it, such as the statement, ‘ROCK HAS TO CHANGE...OR IT WILL DIE’, or the verb ‘EXPOSED’. Perhaps this is done to intrigue the reader, and encourage them to purchase the magazine. Other elements that the language provides could be comedy, such as the puns ‘HERE COME THE WHITE VEIL BRIDES’, used to describe an article on weddings, or ‘NECK DEEP WRESTLE FOR THEIR FUTURE’, accompanied by an image of two men wrestling. This may make the magazine seem less formal, thus it may appeal to a higher percentage of the market. Also using the direct address ‘you’ and ‘yours’, makes the magazine seem more personal, meaning it might appeal to potential customers more, as they may believe that the magazine is aimed at them.

I- Ideologies of this magazine could be that promoting a selection of artists is important, and that there are different areas of rock music which appeal to different audiences, hence the variation that is selected. It might be implied that the magazine promotes music to be fun, as the cover sports quite bright colours such as red and blue, and the main image shows the artists having a party.

I- Bauer Media is a UK based company that publish a range of magazines, focusing on a variation of topics such as gossip, music, equestrian life, sports, and gardening. They also manage a range of radio companies that focus on different genres of music (e.g: rock, pop, western). The brand also manages successful TV channels that are dedicated to different genres of music, and gossip.

A- The majority of the readers of Kerrang are male, (statistics show that 59.1% of readership is male), and most of the readers are aged between 15-34 (91.7%).

R- On the cover of this magazine there is no female image, perhaps showing that the rock genre is heavily dominated by males. The way in which the band are presented implies that they are having fun, thus suggesting rock is often quite energetic.