Language: Media factsheet
1) What are the different magazine genres highlighted on page 2 and how do they link to our magazine CSPs?
The main magazine genres are fashion, lifestyle, celebrity, music and specialist magazines. GQ links to the fashion and lifestyle genre because it focuses on men’s fashion, celebrities and culture.
2) Look at the section on GQ on page 2. How do they suggest that GQ targets its audience?
GQ targets a male audience who are interested in fashion, celebrities, success and lifestyle. It uses famous people, luxury brands and stylish images to attract readers
3) What does the factsheet say about GQ cover stars?
GQ uses famous and successful people as cover stars. These people are usually from music, film, sport or fashion and help attract the audience.
4) Pick out five of the key conventions of magazine front covers and explain what they communicate to an audience.
Masthead: The magazine name shows the brand identity and helps readers recognise the magazine.
Main image: The cover star is the main focus and attracts the audience’s attention.
Cover lines: These show the stories inside the magazine and encourage people to buy it.
Main cover line: This highlights the biggest story or main celebrity feature.
Colour scheme: The colours create a certain style and appeal to the target audience.
5) What is a magazine’s ‘house style’? How would you describe GQ’s house style?
A magazine’s house style is the use of fonts, colours, layouts and design choices that make it recognisable.GQ’s house style is modern, stylish and sophisticated. It uses bold fonts, high-quality images and a simple colour scheme to create a luxury feel.
Language: CSP analysis
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.
The GQ cover uses a simple and stylish design. The colour scheme uses dark and neutral colours, creating a luxury and professional feel. The typography is bold and uses capital letters to make the cover star stand out. The cover lines are short and focus on celebrity and fashion to attract the target audience. The photograph uses a close-up shot of Robert Pattinson, making him the main focus. His serious expression represents confidence and success.
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
Image of Robert Pattinson
The close-up image makes Pattinson the main focus. His serious expression creates connotations of confidence, style and mystery.
Colour scheme
The black, white and grey colours create a luxury and fashionable style. This matches GQ’s sophisticated brand identity.
Typography and cover lines
The large text makes Pattinson’s name stand out. The cover lines attract readers by promoting fashion and celebrity stories.
Inside pages: Jonathan Bailey feature and fashion shoot
Fashion photography
The high-quality images show Bailey wearing stylish clothing. This represents him as fashionable and successful.
Layout and typography
The clean layout creates a professional and luxury feel. It matches GQ’s house style.
Representation of Jonathan Bailey
Bailey is shown as confident and attractive. This appeals to the audience because they are interested in celebrity lifestyles.
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?
Todorov’s equilibrium theory:
GQ shows celebrities as successful and confident, presenting them as already having achieved their goals.
Propp’s character types:
The cover stars are represented as heroes because they are successful and admired by audiences.
Barthes’ enigma codes:
The cover lines create questions and make the audience want to read the articles to find out more.
Levi-Strauss’s binary opposition:
GQ creates contrasts such as ordinary vs successful and everyday style vs luxury fashion.
4) Analyse the cover and inside pages of GQ. Does this offer an example of Steve Neale's genre theory concerning 'repetition and difference'?
GQ uses repetition and difference. It repeats common magazine conventions such as celebrity cover stars, fashion photography and bold cover lines. However, each issue is different because it features new celebrities, styles and stories to keep the audience interested.
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?
Gauntlett's theory suggests identity is flexible and shaped by the media. GQ presents different versions of masculinity through fashion, emotion and self-expression rather than traditional stereotypes.
2) How could van Zoonen's work on feminist and gender theory be applied to GQ? Does the magazine challenge or reinforce these ideas?
Van Zoonen argues gender is socially constructed through the media. GQ challenges some traditional ideas by showing modern masculinity, but it also reinforces male beauty standards through its focus on appearance and style.
3) Does bell hooks's work on 'corrosive masculinity' apply to GQ?
Bell hooks's idea of corrosive masculinity only partly applies. GQ moves away from aggressive and dominant masculinity by promoting openness, diversity and emotional expression.
4) How does the Jonathan Bailey feature represent masculinity and sexuality?
The Jonathan Bailey feature represents masculinity as confident, fashionable and emotionally open. It also presents sexuality as something that can be expressed freely, challenging traditional stereotypes about men.
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 article begins with GQ's New Masculinity issue featuring Pharrell Williams. It was notable for challenging traditional ideas of masculinity through fashion and gender-fluid styling.
2) How did Will Welch view GQ when he took over as Editor-in-Chief and what did he want to offer readers?
Will Welch thought GQ needed to modernise. He wanted to create a magazine that was more inclusive and reflected different ideas of masculinity.
3) How has publisher Conde Nast responded to changes in the magazine industry and how did this impact GQ?
Conde Nast focused more on digital platforms and reduced the number of print issues. This allowed GQ to invest in better journalism and reach audiences across different media.
4) What did the GQ New Masculinity edition feature?
The New Masculinity issue featured Pharrell Williams and interviews with activists, writers, actors and artists discussing masculinity, identity and gender.
5) What did journalist Liz Plank say about toxic masculinity?
Liz Plank said toxic masculinity is a set of harmful behaviours that men are taught, not that masculinity itself is toxic. She argued for a healthier and more mindful version of masculinity.
6) How did Welch respond to suggestions GQ was responsible for toxic masculinity?
Welch said GQ was not responsible for toxic masculinity. He believed the magazine was helping redefine masculinity by promoting diversity, openness and empathy.
1) What does the article suggest masculinity involved at the start of the 20th century?
At the start of the 20th century, masculinity was linked to strength, toughness, leadership and being the family provider.
2) What social change occurred from the 1930s?
From the 1930s onwards, women increasingly entered the workplace and traditional gender roles began to change.
3) What is suggested about masculinity today?
Today, masculinity is presented as more flexible and inclusive. Men are encouraged to express emotions and reject stereotypes.
4) Why does it suggest these changes are important?
These changes are important because they promote equality, improve mental health and allow people to express their identity more freely.
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