GQ - Language & Representation blog 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 - This links to out CSPs as they are interesting to most audiences as they have information about celebrities and general fashion.

Special Interest - This also links to the CSPs as the fashion side, which focuses on high end brands, is targeted to a smaller, more sophisticated audiences.

Professional - I think these CSPs may link to this genre as it may be targeted to those in the fashion industry.

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

They seek audiences who are achievers and seekers and do this by carefully selecting their cover stars. They also mention a variety of topics in their coverlines such as politics, technology and trends.

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

GQ attempts to carefully select their cover stars - people who are hard working and are good role models for an audience who are achievers.

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

- Masthead - communicates what type of brand they 

- Main cover line - communicates the main topic of the magazine and usually to typography helps anchor the target audience 

- Sensationalism - creates an emotional response 

- Coverlines - reinforces brand identity to audience

- Numbers - offers a quick read to audiences and communicates to the audience that content within the magazine will hook them in

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

House style refers to a magazines conventional look in writing and formatting. GQ's house style would have the cover star in front of the masthead with coverlines surrounding them. The typography would mainly be sans serif along side some serif.

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? 

- Font size should be 8-9

- A byline - name of writer at beginning or end

- Subheadings should be used to offer numerous entry points

- Line length of 45-48 characters

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. 

Colour scheme: Blue, white and black reinforces traditional masculinity

Central image: Direct address

Costume: Grillz, tattoos, scars reinforce masculinity and subverts GQ's classic brand identity 

Typography: Typical for GQ to use sans serif font which connotes modernity

Image on first page: Mix of traditional masculinity and femininity which links to post modernism

Text: Talks about gender and subverts masculine stereotypes

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

- Costume: Grillz, tattoos and scars which connotes typical masculinity. This links to Neals repetion in genre as this stereotype of masculinity is frequently used.

- Verbal code: "Art+ Fashion" which addresses audiences in a sophisticated way. This links to Young and Rubicam as they attempt to target succeeders or aspirers.

- Masthead: Covered by cover image which is conventional and communicates that the brand is already well established and known by the audiences

Inside pages: Jonathan Bailey feature and fashion shoot

- Text about Bridgerton: Comments about gender roles and challenges them which links to how Bridgerton is postmodern

- Text on mental health: Blumler and Katz "uses and gratification" (personal identity) as some audiences may be able to relate to his issues

- Pose: He seems vulnerable as he looks away as if he's thinking about something meaningful

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?

Propp's - Pattinson is constructed to be a false hero as this magazine shows that he isn't actually like his character that he plays in Twilight 

Action codes - Pattinson is beat up which promises an explanation or passage about his aggression

Enigma codes - The first image of Jonathan Bailey creates questions such as what he may be thinking about

Binary oppositions - The contrasting aesthetics of Bailey and Pattinson communicate that identity and masculinity is fluid (reinforces Gauntlets ideas)

4) Analyse the cover and inside pages of GQ. Does this offer an example of Steve Neale's genre theory concerning 'repetition and difference'?

I believe that it does as it does reinforce masculinity at certain time, mainly with the cover, but it is evident that it does provide difference as the rest of the magazine pages talk about subversions in gender and masculinity. Therefore, GQ's magazine is a good example of Neale's genre theory.

 

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?

The pages of GQ reinforce Gauntlett's ideas on masculinity and identity as the whole magazine discusses how gender and identity is fluid and changeable.

2) How could van Zoonen's work on feminist and gender theory be applied to GQ? Does the magazine challenge or reinforce these ideas?

The front cover reinforces van Zoonen's work on gender theory as Pattinson is reflected as a sex symbol which reinforces her idea that both genders are sexualised.

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

I believe bell hook's theory doesn't apply to GQ as the whole magazine discusses how masculinity is fluid and doesn't need to follow stereotypes or conventions which does the opposite of normalising patriarchy.

4) How does the Jonathan Bailey feature represent masculinity and sexuality? 

He represents masculinity as fluid and that you can still be masculine whilst having a different sexuality other than being heterosexual.


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 and what was notable about it? 

Whether GQ is still a men's magazine.

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

He saw GQ as outdates and wanted GQ to be a source of help for all audiences regardless of gender.

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

It has tried to cut costs and redefine GQ's digital presence due to convergence. 

4) What did the GQ New Masculinity edition feature? 

Pharrell states “I think the truest definition of masculinity is the essence of you that understands and respects that which isn’t masculine.”

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

That toxic masculinity was a problem everywhere and was learnt through propaganda. 

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

He states GQ was never harmful even before he took over.

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?

Masculinity involved being strong, independent and assertive. This reflects the state of patriarchy during that time.

2) What social change occurred from the 1930s?

The UK lost its industrialisation status with its workers and their masculinity status.

3) What is suggested about masculinity today?

Modern masculinity has allowed men to showcase their emoitions.

4) Why does it suggest these changes are important? 

Men can now care for themselves, seek help when they need it which is important in decreasing rates of suicide and helping men with mental health issues.