Media Language Lesson 7 - written codes - magazines

WJEC AS Media Studies, Media Language, written codes, Visual codes, Magazine genre

1. Written Codes The study of written codes includes: Headlines/Titles Typeface/Font Slogans/Taglines Captions (print) or inter-titles (moving image) Style Choice of words Emphasis of words

2. Serif & Sans Serif Consider the decorative effect? Who does it appeal to?

3. Magazine codes Masthead: The name of the magazine or the title to the magazine. House Style: A magazine with its own style so it stands out from other magazines. You can usually recgonise a magazine by its set out as it will be the same almost everytime . Strap Line: A slogan Puffs: Usually stands out from the other text on page, usually in bright colours . This usually shows promotional offers. Pugs:  This would normally contain the price, logo or promotional offers inside the magazine. N ormally placed either top left or right of the magazine. Because of this, these normally get called the 'ears' of the magazine cover. Buzz Words: "Exclusive", "Wow" ;- examples of Buzz Words. Copy: Main Story of a magazine . Secondary images - Images that are on the front cover that is maybe not as important as the main image. Features -  Things the readers will find inside the magazine . Banner: Text which will normally be on a colourful background so it stands out. This would normally be across the top or bottom of the magazine cover.

4. Articles and spreads Caption : description of a main image. Headline: The title for the main article, this would normally be catchy. Drop Capitals: A letter that starts off either the article or the paragraph, this letter is usually 10x bigger than the actual writing so it stands out. Lead: The introduction paragraph to a piece, usually written in bold. Sell lines: Text on the front cover to sell the magazine to audiences. Strapline: A phrase that can be linked to the magazine so it is recognisable . Anchorage Text: The way text helps to pin down a meaning on an image.

5. MastHead Puff Buzz Words Strap Line Barcode Direct Mode of Address Sell Lines

6. Masthead Pug & Puff Main Cover Line, Puff & Copy Cover Lines

7. Analysing Written Codes What is the title of the magazine and what does this connote ? What coverlines have been used? What colours are used and what do they connote ? What font has been used and what does this connote? What words have been chosen? Why do you think they have been chosen? What words are emphasised and why do you think they have been emphasised ?