BIG ISSUE - PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
1) Analyse why The Big Issue magazine often uses an intertextual approach on its front cover.
In your answer you must: Analyse the use of intertextuality to create meaning in the source .
make judgements and reach a conclusion about the advantages of the use of intertextuality to The Big Issue magazine. [15]
2) What makes the Big Issue 'a different voice' compared to mainstream magazines? (15)
Consider
front cover codes & conventions (language)
institutional aspects (production, distribution)
social contexts, themes and ideologies.
3) How does The Big Issue use its front covers to convey messages, attitudes and viewpoints? (15)
Think about media language and how it is used to construct representations.
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YOU MAY BE GIVEN AN UNSEEN COVER TO ANALYSE IN THE EXAM.
HOWEVER YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE STUDIED TWO BIG ISSUE COVERS. YOU MAY BE ASKED TO REFER TO THESE IN AN EXAM QUESTION. THE KINDERTRANSPORT COVER IS A GOOD ONE TO CHOOSE (SEE BELOW)
1) Analyse why The Big Issue magazine often uses an intertextual approach on its front cover.
In your answer you must: Analyse the use of intertextuality to create meaning in the source .
make judgements and reach a conclusion about the advantages of the use of intertextuality to The Big Issue magazine. [15]
2) What makes the Big Issue 'a different voice' compared to mainstream magazines? (15)
Consider
front cover codes & conventions (language)
institutional aspects (production, distribution)
social contexts, themes and ideologies.
3) How does The Big Issue use its front covers to convey messages, attitudes and viewpoints? (15)
Think about media language and how it is used to construct representations.
*************
YOU MAY BE GIVEN AN UNSEEN COVER TO ANALYSE IN THE EXAM.
HOWEVER YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE STUDIED TWO BIG ISSUE COVERS. YOU MAY BE ASKED TO REFER TO THESE IN AN EXAM QUESTION. THE KINDERTRANSPORT COVER IS A GOOD ONE TO CHOOSE (SEE BELOW)
| big issue magazine revision.pptx |
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big issue covers after september 2017
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From the BIG ISSUE website
The Big Issue has spent over 27 years at the helm of self-help revolution. It all began with the launch of The Big Issue magazine in 1991, which was created to offer homeless and disadvantaged people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income by selling a magazine on the streets. Since then over 200 million copies magazine have been sold by over 100,000 people. Vendors buy the magazine upfront for £1.25 and sell it on to the public for £2.50, and in doing so each runs their own micro-enterprise. In 2005 Big Issue Invest was launched, with the aim of extending The Big Issue’s mission by financing the growth of social enterprises and charities across the UK. To date the organisation has directly invested in over 350 such organisations, and manages or advises on more than £170 million of social funds. Update: During lockdown, the magazine was available in some newsagents for the first time as it was not sold on the street. It was available by subscription. From July 2020, it is back on sale on the street. Vendors have been given protective equipment and contactless card machines. The price will go up to £3. It will also be sold in supermarkets. |
BIG ISSUE COVERS AFTER SEPTEMBER 2019
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Sept 2019
late Nov 2019
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Sept 2019
Feb 2020
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MODEL ESSAY: ANALYSIS OF THE BORIS JOHNSON CARTOON 'fear & proROguing' COVER DRAWN BY RALPH STEADMAN -
SEE IMAGE ABOVE - DEFINITE GRADE A*
| steadman cover model analysis.docx |
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Activity 1
Research
Sec A
Sec B
Now look specifically at some Big Issue front covers. You should concentrate on two covers published after September 2018 (if you're doing A-level in 2020). The exam paper could also feature an 'unseen' cover from before the September when you started the course.
Activity 3
Present an analysis of a Big Issue front cover. Talk about the issues above +
VTTI aspects - visual, typographical,textual and institutional) e.g.
layout
main image
cover lines
how the content may appeal to an audience of 'reformers' (Y&R 4Cs Model)
interesting aspects - e.g. postmodernism, intertextuality, humour.
Research
Sec A
- What is The Big Issue?
- When and why was it founded? By whom?
- How is it funded?
- What makes it different from other print magazines?
- Look at the Big Issue website - is it different from the magazine? how does the charity promote itself? - design features, navigation bar, content, multimedia, interactive features?
- - who is it aimed at - target audience? relate the audience to Y&R's 4Cs model
- Discuss the magazine in terms of the "LIAR" theoretical framework: (Language- see below) Industry Audience Representations
- Discuss the magazine in terms of CONTEXTS: social, economic, political, cultural, historical
Sec B
Now look specifically at some Big Issue front covers. You should concentrate on two covers published after September 2018 (if you're doing A-level in 2020). The exam paper could also feature an 'unseen' cover from before the September when you started the course.
- -discuss masthead, layout, typography, main image, cover lines
- - how do we know it's a low budget product aimed at a niche audience?
- Intertextuality: what is it? Who does it appeal to - older or younger audiences? Look at the covers at the top of the page. Which one refers visually to a) an iconic Beatles 'Sergeant Pepper' album designed by Peter Blake. b) a film featuring a famous bear who was found at a London train station c) A famous 1980s music album by the punk band the Sex Pistols
- - semiotic analysis (meanings and connotations) especially INTERTEXTUALITY
- in what ways is the cover different from mainstream magazines? why do you think this is?
- Which covers are the most subversive, satirical and counter-hegemonic?
- Link some of your points above to the LIAR framework.
- Link your cover to the CONTEXTS (social economic political cultural and historical)
Activity 3
Present an analysis of a Big Issue front cover. Talk about the issues above +
VTTI aspects - visual, typographical,textual and institutional) e.g.
layout
main image
cover lines
how the content may appeal to an audience of 'reformers' (Y&R 4Cs Model)
interesting aspects - e.g. postmodernism, intertextuality, humour.
THE KINDERTRANSPORT EDITION is definitely worth using aS one of your two case studies
Jan 27 - Feb 2 2020
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SOME OLD FAVOURITES (PRE-2019)
Jan 2017
Nov 2018
Notice the 'new look' rebranding of this helmet/mental health cover - slightly smarter design from Nov 2018 onwards
COLDWAR STEVE COVER (March 25 2019)
| coldwar steve.pptx |
Jan 2019
May 2020
