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- GQ

special interest 

 Professional

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

The statement of GQ about its brand values says a lot about what they know about their audience. They are targeting men through fashion and image, but also appealing to their intelligence and needs for information about culture. “Beyond” is vague, but the magazine also covers politics, technology and trends.

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

GQ selects their cover stars very carefuly.

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

The Masthead, the publication name, is at the top,

using a sans serif font type for maximum impact.

Price, month and year are conventionally added, as is a

barcode.

• Puffs are place in the left or right-hand corners to catch the eye of the reader, often inside a graphic element(“4 Easy, Sexy Spring Dos”, inside a blue ball). The focus on sex, fashion and image are conventional to a mainstream lifestyle interest magazine. These are similar to Pugs, also known as the ears of the magazine, that are usually information in the top corners of a page with a buzzword in it.

• The main coverline is not related to the image but offers different content of interest, with varying size, colours and styles of typography.

• Pull quotes such as “I was dancing so hard my dress fell off!” invoke humour and perhaps shock, but also appear to give insider knowledge. This creates a close, albeit illusory, relationship between the reader and the star.

• The use of sensationalism and language of true crime and or gossip magazines are intertextualised to create and emotional response.

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

The house style of a magazine refers to its conventional “look” in relation to its writing and formatting. The house style establishes brand identity and helps to distinguish one magazine from theother. 

GQ's house style is characterized by a blend of luxury, sophistication, and a progressive, forward-looking approach to men's style and lifestyle. It emphasizes clean lines, minimalist aesthetics, and a strong emphasis on quality materials.

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.  

 black background/ colour scheme -  is  more dark and gritty which is seen as more masculine 

inky font - rhetorical question- enigma code 

Direct mode of address towards audience.

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 

1)costume  shows  aggression 

2) Makeup: a bruise  shows violence's of masculinty is also potentially a action code 

 3)Propps character types - villain

Inside pages: Jonathan Bailey feature and fashion shoot

1) Costume -  expensive clothes 

2)   cover focuses on coping with emotions and  being  in the minority  due to Bailey being Gay

 

 

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?

Robert Patterson-

Propps character types - villain

Binary opposition- both covers convey the change in masculinity , Bailey presenting new masculinity  and Patterson illustrating the old traditional masculinity 

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

 

The cover conveys the repetition of traditional masculinity with its overbearing theme of violence and aggression illustrated by the cuts and bruises on his face. And the inside pages convey the difference and change in masculinity based on society’s ever changing views on masculinity 

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?

Gauntletts  theory of masculinity applies to the GQ CSP as  The GQ cover  of both Robert Pattison  and Jonathon bailey  Patterson’s representation of masculinity through the punk aesthetic  portrays what people thought in those times was the peak of masculinity. whereas as  Jonathan bailey has more stylish and  more  feminine  feel towards it.

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

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

Bell hooks  theory's shows a more fluid sexuality. Men are now forced  to  represent their own form of masculinity. 

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

Jonathan Bailey is a  gay male  who wears  where's  a  classic masculine  suit but gives a submissive demeanor   and  a  Feminine stance 

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? 

‘The new Masculinity issue’, the gender fluid Williams  

He viewed it as a magazine for anyone who is interested in style and he wanted to offer readers help in their “personal evolution”

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

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

They focused more on their digital media and for GQ, Welch reworked GQ magazine by deemphasizing style guides.

4) What did the GQ New Masculinity edition feature? 

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,

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?

strength, independence, courage, confidence and assertiveness. 

2) What social change occurred from the 1930s?

3) What is suggested about masculinity today?

That it is portrayed in both men and women

4) Why does it suggest these changes are important? 

This so definition and social expectations of men can be changed