Riptide/ Steve Neale Theory

TASK 4 - Make a Thought Shower/ Mind Map of at least 10 Magazine conventions - eg, things we would expect to see in a magazine, such as a cover image etc.





TASK 5 - MAJOR TASK - Complete the attached reading 'Reading Between the Lines: An Analysis of Women’s Magazines' and answer the analysis questions below.

Analysis Questions

1.      When was the first womens’ magazine formed and what was it called?

The first British women’s magazine founded in 1693, The Ladies’ Mercury.

2.      Does the author enjoy the photographs in Vogue or not? Find a quote to support your position.

No the author is not entirely keen on the fact that certain magazines can have effects on woman, as they are portraying woman to be a certain body type and have a flawless appearance. This may have negative affects on woman as they try aspire to be like photo shopped models which is not reality.

 "The downright worship of materialism in certain magazines is soul-crushing. They pitch the intangible: the promise of happiness. This incessant focus on materialism is often funneled toward female clientele."

3.      Would you describe the tone of this article to be for or against women's’ magazines? Explain your answer.

No, as the author states that there might be hope for the future of women’s publications. At first before the author read Darling Magazine she stated that the industry were lacking in self confidence and loving ones self. Women are objectified and taught to self-objectify. Why should woman comply to someone else’s standard of beauty and beauty should not be held on a pedestal as the most sought after value.

4.      What are the main issues the Author has with womens’ magazines?

 If woman live in the shadow of an arbitrary standard of beauty that many women cannot comply to, this manifests in the form of increased competition and, in some cases, unhealthy habits. It may lead too eating disorders or rushed cosmetic surgery that can have complication in the long run.

5.      What do you think the author means by the following quotes?

·         This incessant focus on materialism is often funnelled toward female clientele.

There is a unpleasant interpretation that magazines focus on material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values and this directed at woman customers.  

·        magazines …  pitch the intangible: the promise of happiness.

magazines give readers the false reality of life and most likely to be untouched.

·        Much of society runs on conspicuous consumption.

 magazines reveal people with lavish and luxurious lifestyles in attempt to enhance ones prestige. society strives to be luxurious and perfect.

·        women are objectified and taught to self-objectify.

woman are degraded and choose to evaluate themselves based on appearance because that's how they  believe others adjudicate ( formal judgment) them.