Magazines: GQ - Language and Representation

 Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 252 - The Codes and Conventions of Print Magazines available in our Media Factsheet archive here. Answer the following questions:

1) What are the different magazine genres highlighted on page 2 and how do they link to our magazine CSPs?

General interest, special interest and professional. GQ magazine falls under general interest. 

2) Look at the section on GQ on page 2. How do they suggest that GQ targets its audience?

They target men through fashion and image, but also appealing to their intelligence and needs for information about culture.

3) What does the factsheet say about GQ cover stars?

GQ suggests that they choose their cover stars very carefully.

4) Pick out five of the key conventions of magazine front covers and explain what they communicate to an audience.

•The Masthead, the publication name, is at the top, using a sans serif font type for maximum impact.

Price, month and year are conventionally added, as is a barcode.

• The main coverline is not related to the image but offers different content of interest, with varying size, colours and styles of typography.

• Pull quotes such as “I was dancing so hard my dress fell off!” invoke humour and perhaps shock, but also appear to give insider knowledge. This creates a close, albeit illusory, relationship between the reader and the star.

• The use of sensationalism and language of true crime and or gossip magazines are intertextualised to create and emotional response.

• There are eight coverlines with substantial information in them to cater for different audiences. The use of synthetic personalisation (the use of “your”) reinforces the friendliness of the brand towards the audience.

5) What is a magazine’s ‘house style’? How would you describe GQ’s house style? 

The house style of a magazine refers to its conventional “look” in relation to its writing and formatting.

Language: CSP analysis

Use your annotated CSP pages to help answer the following questions. You can find an annotated copy of the GQ pages here (you'll need your Greenford Google login).

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 black and blue coloured background could symbolise traditional male stereotypes as black and blue are both colours heavily stereotyped with men. The use of make up to create the illusion of looking beaten and bruised. The typography is quite messy with loose splatters which fits the rough design of the cover.

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

GQ wanted to create a "new masculinity" issue where a new ideo of masculinity is portrayed, however with the use of the black and blue background we can see that theyre still using old associations.

Inside pages: Jonathan Bailey feature and fashion shoot

We can see how most of the images reinforce traditional masculinity such as his clothing and stances. Some things like his patterned trousers may suggest an evolution of masculinity which can support Gauntletts idea of masculinity and crisis.

 

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?
Propps character types could be applied to GQ. This is due to the idea of Robert Pattinsons appearence potentially highlighting him as a bad guy or a villian as the current appearence is not what is typically seen on that of a hero.

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?
The use of Jonathan Baileys checkered trousers could symbolise a potential change i masculinity as theyre not something a man would wear according to old stereotypes, which links to gauntlett.
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 suggests that the idea of a gender is constructed as time goes on, and GQ highlights this through making sure that people know that being homosexual is a norm now and is okay.
3) Does bell hooks's work on 'corrosive masculinity' apply to GQ? 

I dont think Bell Hooks does apply to GQ, this is due to the fact that i think GQ are actually trying to break stereotypes instead of promoting bad behaviours.

4) How does the Jonathan Bailey feature represent masculinity and sexuality? 
He comes out about his sexuality and highlights how its a new theme in masculinity and its the new norm.

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 issue discussed is the 'New Masculinity Issue'. The imagery, the colors, the psychedelic typeface and the gender-fluid Williams made audiences wonder, “Is GQ still a men’s magazine?”

2) How did Will Welch view GQ when he took over as Editor-in-Chief and what did he want to offer readers? 

GQ is not just written for or by men. GQ’s readers are anyone who has “an interest in seeing the world through a filter of stylishness,” 

3) How has publisher Conde Nast responded to changes in the magazine industry and how did this impact GQ?

Condé Nast has been trying to recoup losses by cutting costs and redefining its business for the digital era. Condé ended Glamour’s print publication last year.

4) What did the GQ New Masculinity edition feature? 

Journalist Nora Caplan-Bricker leads a package titled “Voices of the New Masculinity” in which actor Asia Kate Dillon, NBA player Kevin Love, rapper Killer Mike and others share their perspectives of what masculinity means today.

5) What did journalist Liz Plank say about toxic masculinity?

 “No matter where I turned, masculinity wasn’t something that was intuitive or intrinsic; it was carefully learned, delicately transmitted and deliberately propagandized. Toxic masculinity wasn’t just a problem in America. I saw it everywhere.”

6) How did Welch respond to suggestions GQ was responsible for toxic masculinity?

“It’s not like GQ was harmful until I took over. That’s definitely not the case,”

Finally, read this short GQ feature on masculinity and answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest masculinity involved at the start of the 20th century?

At the start of the 20th century, the idea of masculinity was simple.

2) What social change occurred from the 1930s?

The UK lost its industrialisation heavyweight status with manual worker jobs, and the masculinity status attached to them.

3) What is suggested about masculinity today?

Its a whole new image that is completely different from what it was.

4) Why does it suggest these changes are important? 

It follows society as a whole and how it evolves.