Analysis of XXL - Double Page Spread - Case Study1

The audience can clearly see that the large image of Jay Z is significant as it takes up and entire page. The fact that the image is black and white is effective as it demonstrates many ideas. It could mean sadness, emptiness or not showing any emotion. Jay Z has a direct mode of address, which makes the image stronger and creates an engagement with the audience. The prop Jay Z is holding defines his personality. It lets the reader understand more about him, for example, the cigar on his hands and  a ring suggests that he is someone who wants to show others what his got and that he is interested in making himself look good. It can also connote wealth and power. The image is a medium long shot, which enables the reader to notice what he is wearing.

Questions are in bold and answers in normal font, which makes it easier for readers to visualise quickly and identify the questions from answers.

There are four columns which makes the double page spread more organised and easier for the readers to read. This is significant as the audience do not want to just read a lot of text, placing them in sections and columns makes the audience think that there is less text that should be read.

The title is in another colour, the gold/brown colour suggests that it may be precious and is a question worth the while. Also is a persuasive feature (rhetorical question) making the audience read the entire article.

On the Double Page Spread (DPS), there is a pull quote used mentioning that ‘Big is an insightful guy?’ This attracts the audience and makes them want to read more from the magazine. Page numbers are visible at the bottom of the page and also it mentions when the magazine was issued. Moreover, the background is simple and reflects with the image on the right, this links everything together.The font size of the article is suitable as the audience can clearly see the structure of the columns: this follows the conventions of a double page spread.. This magazine could be aimed at teenagers/ the youth as the language of the writing is informal.