Magazine: Introduction to Representation

 Representation and stereotypes: blog tasks

Create a new blogpost called 'Magazines: Introduction to Representation'.
Look at the magazine cover for Closer that we studied last week:

Answer the following questions on your blog:

1) Write a definition of representation in media studies. Clue: The answer is in the notes above!

It is the combination of media language choices that construct the representation audiences see. Indeed, everything we see in the media is a re-presentation because the media intervene or stand between the object they are presenting and the audience and therefore they affect or ‘mediate’ every text we see! 

2) Now look at the cover of Closer magazine above. List all different types of people and groups represented on the front cover. E.g. women, celebrities, race/ethnicity etc.

Women, Celebrities, race/ethnicity 

3) What does the representation of women on this front cover suggest female audiences are mainly interested in?

The representation of women on this front cover suggest female audience are interested in female celebrities' lifestyle.

4) Are there any stereotypes you can identify? E.g. women and motherhood; celebrities etc.

Motherhood, weight and celebrities. 

5) Is there anything on the cover that subverts typical stereotypes in the media?
On the cover that subvert typical stereotypes are Pregnant Celebrities and secret lifestyles

6) What is the preferred reading of this magazine cover - what do the producers want audiences to think when they see it?

The Producers wants the audience feel that celebrities have same lifestyle as the audience.

7) What is the oppositional reading of this magazine cover - how might someone criticise this magazine cover or be offended by it?

The audience feel that we don't want to know about celebrities' lifestyle.

8) What are the social and cultural contexts to this magazine cover? What effect might this magazine have on readers or society?

The effect might the magazine have on the reader or the society that celebrities have the same feelings as the readers.