500 word analysis of magazine cover

I believe this magazine targets a very specific audience and we can learn this through aspects of the convention within the cover design. Evidently, this is a Woman’s magazine and we can learn this through the fashion features which the magazine states that the reader will find within: ‘390+ pages of seductive new looks’. Fashion aspects stereotypically appeal to women and they are recognisable features which appear on the front cover of most women magazines. The unique selling point of the magazine seems to be Beyoncé Knowles and on the whole she appeals to a woman audience through her music. The famous world-wide star, Beyoncé, fits in perfectly alongside the image and style that ‘Bazaar’ follows.

The magazine cover seems to hold a fashion theme whilst embracing the whole ‘sexy’ look also, therefore Beyoncé has incorporated a seductive pose to compliment the theme of the magazine. This alone will appeal to the target audience, as they are influenced by the star herself, and are engaged into the header which comes alongside her ‘Up close with Beyoncé’. She is holding direct mode of address which is a persuasive technique to engage the target audience; it’s almost as if she is grabbing you in. The connotations which come with Beyoncé, such as her singing and acting career will also be a persuasive technique and will appeal to the target audience in different ways. This brings us on to how she is the main focus of the magazine. The photograph of her is the only image on the cover, and is also the largest feature on the page; this suggests she is a main focus of the entire magazine.          

The text is in colours of white, black and red, which coordinate throughout the page as well as contrasting with the background that lies behind. Some of the text appears in capitals to allow the text to gain importance and become clearer to the reader; and the same idea is learnt through bold and italic text. The text being stylised like this is a visually persuasive technique; the target audience will appeal to the magazine due to the appearance of the magazine cover.  Exclamation marks have been used to add emphasis to what is being stated ‘HOT BODY ALERT!’ The black text coordinates with the black eyeliner around Beyoncé’s eyes and I believe the red text compliments the piece of material covering Beyoncé’s chest. The use of colour (black and red) plays on the idea of sophistication and sexual references; two ideas I believe stereotypically charm a certain woman. Phrases such as ‘Strictly sexy’ and ‘autumn’s sexiest fashion’ reinforce this idea; the woman will feel persuaded into the magazine wanting to know how they can become sexy too. The title ‘Bazaar’ appears to be the largest text on the cover adding prominence to the name and the magazine itself.

The sophistication and the sexual tone of the magazine will only appeal to a certain woman therefore we cannot say every woman will enjoy their read of this magazine or get hooked through the cover. The certain women who will engross in this type of magazine will feel hooked through the whole advice theme the cover suggests the magazine holds within. The advice theme is based on fashion, and women who are crying out for various suggestions on how to feel and look sexy will be mostly pleased with what this magazine has to offer.  ‘The new power piece’- the word ‘power’ is a dominant word choice and brings a sense of authority and ability to the woman if they were to wear this particular skirt; this alone is a persuasive technique and also highlights that this magazine appeals to women by using clothes associated with the woman.