Magazines: The Big Issue
Magazines must be studied in relation to media language and media representations, including a consideration of the social, cultural and political contexts that influence how media language is used to construct representations.
The Big Issue is a niche magazine outside the commercial mainstream that learners may not normally engage with. It provides a contrasting example of how the elements of the theoretical framework for media language can be used to construct alternative representations that appeal to particular audiences, including a consideration of the influence of the social, cultural and political contexts.
Learners must study two front covers of The Big Issue, from the September of the first year of teaching a two year course, (e.g. from September 2017 onwards for a candidate entering for assessment in June 2019), chosen by the centre. The front covers selected should demonstrate representations that are alternative to the mainstream and of national significance, in terms of the events or issues they portray.
The question could ask you to:
Discuss an unseen cover.
Compare an unseen cover to the ones you have studied.
Discuss the covers you have studied.
https://www.bigissue.com/
Look through the relevant covers and find the two that you think best fit the bill. Post a link in the comments below and explain why you think that it would be good to study.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/word-changing-face-disability/
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a good example of the sort of cover that we might study because it clearly deals with representation of identity around a social group - in this case disabled people, and more specifically people with Downs Syndrome. It challenges stereotypical ideas around disability. In the smaller captions we can see its political perspective extends to other disenfranchised groups, in this case homeless people.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/one-year-on-a-grenfell-survivor-tells-his-story/
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bigissue.com/magazines/welcome-the-big-issue-cover-designed-by-competition-winner-lucy-norris/
I think these 2 covers are good as the first one is an example of a tragedy that was on a national level.
The second cover is an example of the help that people can get from being part of the big issue, its also very different to typical magazines you would see being sold.
Neither of these issues give a representation of the people who are in the magazine.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/armando-iannucci-guest-edit/#
ReplyDelete- Main article covering a guest edited debate on Brexit
- Presenting for the purpose of comedy and not for the discussion of Brexit
- Between Alan Partridge (actor and comedian) and Malcolm Tucker
- Alternative pop art style front cover
- Alan and Malcolm pulling opposing facial expressions,conforming with their assumed persona
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/still-at-war-a-remembrance-special/
- Poising questions about homeless veterans and how we as a society need to solve the problem
- Digitally edited photo masking the identity of the man on the front cover
- Creating anonymity and presenting the idea that there are many veterans around the UK are homeless
- Helmet over the mans head, signifies he is a veteran
- Helmet suggests his mind is still at war (mental health problems)
- Alternative front cover, very mundane colour scheme, brighter green on the helmet highlighting the idea of war and the army
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/what-happened-to-the-dream-50-years-on-civil-rights-reinvented/
ReplyDeleteI think this cover would be could as it highlights the problem people are facing against racial prejudice and social imbalance
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/above-beyond-the-incredible-fearless-women-of-wwii/
I think this cover would be good as it shows the representation of women in the time of a global crisis, which may have been ignored or not as publicized
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/get-little-help-friends/
ReplyDeleteI feel as if this cover would be a good example as it speaks about the representation of a lower class who would gain no main stream media attention. With the front cover "We get by with a little help from our friends" it gives a sense of social importance and challenges the stereotypes.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/i-was-the-black-klansman-the-undercover-story-of-ron-stallworth/
The second cover talks about challenging a racist stereotype which would not be used as a front cover in the mainstream media.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/meghan-markle-and-the-grenfell-survivors-community-kitchen/
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a good example a cover not covered by mainstream media, it deals with the representation of the public that have suffered a tragedy; this cover showing the Grenfell towers victims which was a disaster on a national scale, highlighting the problems with the UK Government and safety regulations for many others living in these tower blocks. It challenges the stereotype that the royal family are considered higher up in the social ladder than anybody else in the country, as Meghan Markle is helping out with the public to raise morale.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/one-year-on-a-grenfell-survivor-tells-his-story/
the second cover also shows the national tragedy of Grenfell Tower, while no actual representation is shown on the cover due to it just being a single photo with text showing how a youth was affected by the fire which is very thought provoking, there is no media language or representation for this story.
I think that this is a good example of the sort of cover that we might study because it clearly deals with representation around a social group- in this situation women and the stereotypes of them. The cover challenges stereotypical women who tend to be at home cooking, cleaning and waiting for their husbands to come home. During the war it was not advertised that women took a massive role in the war but here the magazine highlights the women and how fearless they are.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bigissue.com/magazines/above-beyond-the-incredible-fearless-women-of-wwii/
This next cover is regarding black people following their dreams.This is a good example as Will.I.Am is telling his story and despite a hard life he continued. There was a lot of racism surrounding Will.I.Am being younger compared to today, despite not being as much racism it is still good to come out and follow your dreams.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/will-i-am-im-not-political-im-socially-conscious/
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/i-was-the-black-klansman-the-undercover-story-of-ron-stallworth/
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good example of a cover that is of national significance because it identifies racism and highlights how people should not be afraid to confront racists in today's society.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/meghan-markle-and-the-grenfell-survivors-community-kitchen/
I think this cover would also be a good example as it shows how the royal family are helping the community after the tragedy of the Grenfell tower.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/flake-news-avoid-meltdown-beat-anxiety-discover-uselessness-eat-ice-cream/
ReplyDeleteI think this would be an ideal cover to study as it encourages wide political interest with the main topic of Trump's visit to the UK. Engaging national significance within the audience as Trump is a powerful political individual in America, portraying conflicting views amongst the nation.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/a-homelessness-state-of-mind/
I also believe this would be a particularly good cover to study as it approaches the topic of homelessness, which is a widespread problem within the UK. Allowing the audience to engage in this frequent issue and become more aware of its significance.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/migrant-british-icon-one-us-paddington-new-spirit-christmas/
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a good example because it has national significance of migrants and the problems and opinions people believe about them in the UK and they contrast this too a picture of Paddington Bear who is a national known children's character. This challenges the way that people would see migrants as they see the Paddington Bear character as a good thing. Calling Paddington Bear a 'national icon' represents migrants in a good light and would challenge peoples thoughts.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/one-year-on-a-grenfell-survivor-tells-his-story/
I think this is a good example as it is a nationally signifigant event and there is no people in the cover so it implys more importance to the story.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/what-happened-to-the-spirit-of-rebellion/
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bigissue.com/magazines/meghan-markle-and-the-grenfell-survivors-community-kitchen/
this shows their view on helping the less fortunate
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/migrant-british-icon-one-us-paddington-new-spirit-christmas/
ReplyDeleteI think there's a lot to talk about with this in the way that it uses a well-known ficitonal character to face a real issue (migration). The cover line 'one of us' also gives a lot to say.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/i-was-the-black-klansman-the-undercover-story-of-ron-stallworth/
I feel this one also gives a lot to talk about, as well as being highly contrasting to the Paddington cover. It's about the US compared to UK and a different social issue, as well as using a very different colour scheme. The design in particular is very good to talk about in relation to the topic.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/flake-news-avoid-meltdown-beat-anxiety-discover-uselessness-eat-ice-cream/
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a relevant front cover to study as it creates political intrigue and represents a national issue revolving around Donald Trump. This is significant as Trump is a well known political individual and attracts audiences to read more about the 'flake news' concerning America and Trump.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/i-was-the-black-klansman-the-undercover-story-of-ron-stallworth/
I think that this second cover is relevant as it talks about challenging a racist stereotype which would not be used as a front cover in the mainstream media, creating intrigue for the audience.
wow
Deletehttps://www.bigissue.com/magazines/flake-news-avoid-meltdown-beat-anxiety-discover-uselessness-eat-ice-cream/
ReplyDeleteI believe this front cover is a strong choice based on the present relevance of Trump being a widely covered, controversial topic, covered by mainstream news outlets; additionally, Trump is visiting the country making his relevance in the public's interest higher. This is why it's significant that "The Big Issue" represent Trump, in a parodied manner, with a pun of his distinguishable saying: "Flake News'.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/meghan-markle-and-the-grenfell-survivors-community-kitchen/
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good front cover because it represents the interaction between the royal family and normal people. This is of national significance as it was a massive fire that killed many people. The fire also have not only the victims but also the people who live in London who have been affected by the tradgedy.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/flake-news-avoid-meltdown-beat-anxiety-discover-uselessness-eat-ice-cream/I
I think this is a good front cover as it shows a different representation of Donald trump. Its controversial and interesting for the audienece
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/still-at-war-a-remembrance-special/
ReplyDeleteI think that this will be a good cover to study as it comments on homeless veterans, a serious issue and how as a society we need to tackle the problem. Furthermore, it converses on PTSD and the struggles it brings as well as giving recognition to people who have showed their support.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/get-little-help-friends/
This cover will also be good to study as it speaks about the representation of the lower class and their lack of mainstream media coverage by giving social importance and challenging stereotypes.
ooooo prezzo
Deletehttps://www.bigissue.com/magazines/what-happened-to-the-spirit-of-rebellion/
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bigissue.com/magazines/flake-news-avoid-meltdown-beat-anxiety-discover-uselessness-eat-ice-cream/
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/celebrate-the-royal-wedding-big-issue-style/
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/from-the-streets-to-the-seats-of-power/
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/brand-new-russell-redemption-big-issue-vendors/
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/what-happened-to-the-dream-50-years-on-civil-rights-reinvented/
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/what-happened-to-the-spirit-of-rebellion/
ReplyDeleteI believe this is a good cover to study as it covers a topic of national concern by approaching it through the idea of national identity. It's possible due to the title of 'National identity' being written in several different fonts reminiscent of newspapers, that the cover is talking of how papers are shaping our national identity and the stance that we have on the political issue. So it tackles the current issues in Britain without directly addressing them.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/money-happy-returns-the-big-issue-money-special/
I believe this cover is a good idea to study as the approach the magazine takes to the various concerns pasted along the edges of the cover are quite nonchalant and the premise of having a known comedian and using handwritten comic style font to express and anchor the issue is very alternate to mainstream media's way of presenting such issues.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/a-homelessness-state-of-mind/
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good example because it includes scientific research as well as statistics and examples - and also tackles the growing issue of homelessness that isn't just present in the UK but is also present in many other countries.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/one-year-on-a-grenfell-survivor-tells-his-story/
This cover tackles the Grenfell Tower Story - this story is known over a lot of countries because of the amount of damage it did, but also because of the issue now about what the Tower was made of, that is encouraging other towers similar to also get checked in case another incident like this happens again. This article talks to a survivor after a year which shows the audience what damage the disaster did to people.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/meghan-markle-and-the-grenfell-survivors-community-kitchen/
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good example of a cover with national significance because it includes an event that affected many people and was a very big story. It also includes Meghan Markle was of National interest with her getting married to Prince Harry last year. It also shows her helping out people who are of a lower class even though she is part of the royal family.
https://www.bigissue.com/magazines/replanting-britain-the-politics-of-putting-down-roots/
I think this cover would be ideal to study because it includes environmental issues that affect everyone in the UK and also involves the politics behind saving the environment.