Textual Analysis

Textual Analysis For College Magazine

This magazine is of a college called “Beloit “college.

The magazine cover is of a woman of an oriental race with a causal wear of pink undershirt and black cardigan with clear laboratory goggles and a beaker in her hand with possibly a chemical. In here background is a scientific diagram with hard to see equation of some sort. The image of the woman is a medium long shot with a closer image of chemicals in a white tray- in the bottom left of the image. In the bottom right there is an image of a scientific piece of apparatus. Above the woman’s head is a big masthead of the college’s name (Beloit) in white with possibly what the issue is about in a white font also saying “doing science at Beloit”

The masthead “Beloit” is very visible for readers to see, it is a standard serif font to give off the impression that the magazine is formal- and it also connotes that the college may be of a European culture possibly French as “Beloit” doesn’t sound English literate originated whatsoever. As a matter of fact “Beloit” College is named after the state Beloit Wisconsin, in the south of the States. The masthead indicates to me that the magazine isn’t so much about entertaining but more-or-less informative

The cover image is of a girl most likely an actual student rather than an acting model. She seems to be of the Asian heritage, her posture seems to be very engaged in her perceived to be experiment. This may be a form of non verbal communication meaning he posture may be saying to readers engage in work, don’t be distracted and do your best. She also gives off the impression that she is no higher than us in terms of class judging by her style of clothing (causal-teenage looking).she is very school-like presented with the formal-smart looking hairstyle. Just by the woman being on the front cover for this issues magazine tells us that this magazine is targeted at the college pupils especially those who want to join the course or already on the course also the magazine is obviously targeted at her as she is on it so she would like to see what has been said and keep it as an achievement or something.

The main cover line says “Doing Science at Beloit”. This is a suggestion to people who are thinking of changing courses to science. It could also suggest that it is an advertisement to students who are graduating and this magazine may come with a prospectus or information pack of some sort. “Doing Science at Beloit” indicates to me that inside the magazine itself is based on science for this month or “semester” along with the cover image relating to the cover line. The cover line font is the same as the masthead which is a basic serif font. Which connotes that the magazine is not about entertaining but more for people to get on the course (persuade)? .This magazine is targeted at a niche market of students. Under the main cover line reads “and the proud slightly proud tradition of the chamberlain rats” this sub-cover line connotes that this will feature in the magazine but clearly isn’t the main focus as the word “and” is used meaning that it is a feature in the magazine’s issue. Below the main cover line says “spring 2008” which clearly states the time that the magazine was issued. All of the main cover lines use sub serif font stating that the magazine is designed for this “era” being modern and not historical. The green writing is also a cover line which states that the magazine isn’t just going to feature information about science there’s information for students in general.

After taking all these points into close consideration, my suggestion is that this magazine is targeted at science students or people interested in taking science at Beloit College- the target audience could also be high school graduates looking to enrol in the science course or even the parents of the pupil as they may be interested in what the course entails and whether they are eligible (qualify) to take the course. Maybe even adult students who may want to attend part time evening courses and have a true interest and want qualifications in the subject, as they may want to change their career. Teachers specifically science teachers may be interested in what is going on around the school and maybe in their department they are likely to be literate and have a maybe basic understanding or interest in science seeing that the main concept of this issues magazine is people to come learn science at their college. So generally the age range can expand from 16 to 45 or maybe even older.