Task 1

The image above is of ELLE’s July 2010 edition. ELLE is a renowned worldwide magazine that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. The magazine is aimed at females ranging from the ages of 16 to a more mature age of 40. From demographic groups such as B, C1and C2 as it focus on rich, glamorous and materialistic articles with the inclusion of famous celebrities to appeal to certain audiences.

The masthead is written in a clear block format which instantly stands out and makes a statement. ‘ELLE’ which translates ‘She’ in English instantly tell us who the magazine is aimed to appeal at. To add, the masthead is written in purple which connotes royalty and wisdom. This therefore gives the magazine a representation of high stature which can provide its readers with wisdom to help them with their fashion and health.

The image plays a big part in the appearance of the magazine as this can act as an anchor to the magazines readership. This issue of ELLE has famous RnB star Rihanna, being shot from a medium shot this allows her figure to be displayed and causes the readers to gain several gratifications from her. Rihanna being clothed in tight, revealing clothing shows of her small waist makes the audience believe that this is what beauty is and shows the ideologies that the magazine is promoting. The images mode of address has direct contact with the reader which connotes to the reader that she is the voice of the magazine she is speaking one on one to each other about the stories inside.

Bordering the magazine are several sell lines which give an insight into what the magazine has to offer to its reader to try anchor the sale of the magazine. For example the sell line that relates to the main image says ‘Rihanna! On her new look and new man’ which instantly interests readers to indulge into the story. These sell lines are there to help the magazine promote itself to the audience and also act as anchor to main images.

Elle using Rihanna as a model for front page instantly appeals to a young audience, however using a skinny young girl like her it sends of negative representations of beauty. As beauty is not all about being skinny. This has therefore lead to young audiences to do whatever it takes to try achieve the skinny glamorous look however really it is causing them more harm than bettering their appearance.