GQ - Language & Representation blog tasks

 

GQ - Language & Representation blog tasks

Create a blogpost called 'GQ: Language and Representation' and complete the following tasks:

Language: Media factsheet

Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 252 - The Codes and Conventions of Print Magazines available in our Media Factsheet archive here. Answer the following questions:

1) What are the different magazine genres highlighted on page 2 and how do they link to our magazine CSPs?

General interest, special interest and professional  

2) Look at the section on GQ on page 2. How do they suggest that GQ targets its audience?

GQ selects their cover stars very carefully- ie the choice of a black dinner suit adds gravitas and sophistication to the imagery while the light reflecting on his skin connotes health and youth, again

appealing to these groups.

3) What does the factsheet say about GQ cover stars?

Cover stars are chosen very carefully 

4) Pick out five of the key conventions of magazine front covers and explain what they communicate to an audience.

Pull quotes- the create a sense of humour and creates relationship between reader and the star

Typoghraphy- provides different content of interest through different colours ans sizes, attracting the audience

Synthetic personalistation- directly refers to the reader and informs them that they are the target audience

Masthead- provides information about the magazine ie the publication name.

Sensationalism- evokes emotions in reader.

5) What is a magazine’s ‘house style’? How would you describe GQ’s house style? 

The house style establishes brand identity and helps to distinguish one magazine from the

other.

Extension tasks: Look at the final pages of the magazine factsheet that focus on creating magazine pages for coursework. What can you take from this to help future coursework projects? 

Language: CSP analysis

Use your annotated CSP pages to help answer the following questions. You can find an annotated copy of the GQ pages here (you'll need your Greenford Google login).

1) Write a summary of our annotations on the media language choices on the cover of GQ - e.g. colour scheme, typography, language, photographic codes etc. 
There is use of unusual typography that fits well with the cover image, there is also use of bright colours to perhaps show a change in masculinity over the years.

2) Identify three specific aspects/conventions/important points (e.g. cover lines, colour scheme, use of text, image etc.) from each page/feature of the CSP that you could refer to in a future exam. Explain why that particular aspect of the CSP is important - think about connotations, representations, audience pleasures, reception theory etc.

Front cover: Robert Pattinson image - Art & Fashion issue

Inside pages: Jonathan Bailey feature and fashion shoot

 

Cover image- connotation of masculinity and agression

Blue/black bachorund colour scheme- colours tradtionally associated with masculinity 

 

3) Apply narrative theories to GQ - Todorov's equilibrium, Propp's character types, Barthes' action or enigma codes, Levi-Strauss's binary opposition. How can we use narrative to understand the way the cover and features have been constructed?
Propps' character theory could be appled here, perhaps Robert is shown to be villain- possibly reinventing his persona after twilight films.

This acts as a disequilibrium compared to his old representation - Todorov

Representations: applying theory

We have already covered many relevant theories in our work on Advertising and Marketing (for example, David Gauntlett's writing on Media, Gender and Identity). We now need to apply these theories and ideas to GQ and specifically the CSP pages allocated by AQA.

1) How can Gauntlett's ideas on masculinity, gender and identity be applied to the GQ CSP pages we have analysed?
Masculinity is evolving. The magazine represents this as it presents men beyond just typical traditional roles of work and control, there is now more openness towards fashion, style, and change.

2) Does bell hooks's work on 'corrosive masculinity' apply to GQ? 

ultimately, she means masculinity does not have to be defined with authority and power like it does stereotypically.

Representations: wider reading - GQ and the new masculinity

Read this CNN feature on how GQ is redefining masculinity and answer the following questions:

1) Which GQ issue is discussed at the start of the article?

2006

2) How did Will Welch view GQ when he took over as Editor-in-Chief and what did he want to offer readers? 

 he told CNN Business that the publications, and the brand overall, shouldn’t be prescriptive.

“Instead of being like in order to be cool or fashionable or stylish or successful in the office, you need to look this way, it’s how can we help you become your best self, essentially,” Welch said.

3) How has publisher Conde Nast responded to changes in the magazine industry and how did this impact GQ?

Cutting costs and redefining its business for the digital era. For example, Condé ended Glamour’s print publication last year. It’s continued to invest in digital content, like video, across its brands.

4) What did the GQ New Masculinity edition feature? 

GQ sports, a youtube channel in order to get nore mainstream audience.

5) What did journalist Liz Plank say about toxic masculinity?

“No matter where I turned, masculinity wasn’t something that was intuitive or intrinsic; it was carefully learned, delicately transmitted and deliberately propagandized. Toxic masculinity wasn’t just a problem in America. I saw it everywhere.”

6) How did Welch respond to suggestions GQ was responsible for toxic masculinity?

“It’s not like GQ was harmful until I took over. That’s definitely not the case,” he said.

Finally, read this short GQ feature on masculinity and answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest masculinity involved at the start of the 20th century?

Men should have strength, independence, courage, confidence and assertiveness. They were the sole breadwinner and earned from manual labour.

2) What social change occurred from the 1930s?

 UK lost its industrialisation heavyweight status with manual worker jobs

3) What is suggested about masculinity today?

That the term masculinity is now outdated and tradtional masculinty is now subverted as men know that showing softer side is not weak or shameful.

4) Why does it suggest these changes are important? 

These changes are important as they affect mental health and lead to many issues that men face in thier relationship and can also lead to suicidal acts.