Language Techniques

in Magazines
No Space!
The producer of a magazine needs to
cram a lot of information into a few
words

S/he must ensure the image and the
coverlines are interesting enough to
persuade the reader to buy the
magazine
6 Techniques
In this lesson we will look at 6 different
techniques used by the text producer to
squeeze all the information in, and
make it sound REALLY interesting to
the target audience
Technique 1: Modifiers
To squeeze lots of contents onto the
cover, nouns are heavily modified.

Delicious cook-ahead stress free feast
(Bella)

Noun
Modifier Modifier Modifier
Pre-modification
Delicious cook-ahead stress free feast

Technique 2: Elision
This is what the producer decides to
leave out for reasons of economy

Lose your belly
See results in two weeks
(Mens Health)



Lose your belly
See [the] results in two weeks

Determiner
The determiner the has been removed
without affecting meaning. Determiners
make the meaning of nouns more specific.
a, this, that, my, your, some etc
Technique 3:
Sentence Types
Sentences can be divided into two
types: minor and major.
Minor sentences are complete in
intention but often lack a finite verb.


Finite verbs have a tense, e.g. present
or past, giving a clear idea of when
something took place or whether the
action has been completed.
They also tell us how many are involved
(singular/plural) and who the
participants are:





My ex spied on me from the attic (Bella)

Participant Participant
Action
completed
Conclusion: This is a
major sentence because it
contains finite verbs that
tell us that the action has
been completed and it
names a subject
(participant)
Hair to send him round the twist (More!)
Non-finite
verb
Unclear when the action will
be completed. Non-finite verb
forms do not express
contrasts of tense, number,
person or mood. This is
therefore a minor sentence.
Turning your flat into a film set
The ing makes the verb non-
finite because it is not clear when
the action is to take place
STARTS THIS WEEK: ONLY IN BELLA
YOUR CHANCE TO CONSULT
PRINCESS DIANAS
PSYCHIC!

[IT] STARTS THIS WEEK:
Sometimes in a minor sentence
the subject will be omitted. The
subject of a sentence is normally a
noun which appears before the
verb. To insert a subject here we
would need to put It before
starts or rearrange the sentence.
Major or Minor?
1. Aliens forced me to have sex

2. LOUD AND PROUD
Asian dykes speak out

3. 10 ways to simplify your life

Technique 4:
Sentence Functions
Sentences can be divided into four types:
Declaratives: This type of sentence
makes a statement or assertion -
All Saints get mucky

Imperatives: Give orders or make
requests -
Get stress off your back


Sentence Functions
Interrogatives: Asks questions -
Feeding friends?
Exclamatives: These are used to
express surprise, alarm or a strong
opinion and are accompanied by an
exclamation mark -
Nice tackle!
Categorise the
sentences:

1. Do you need a second income?
2. Most couples assume that both
partners need to work.
3. Its men v women in the sexually-
sussed stakes!
4. WIN a trip to Hollywood!

Technique 5:
Problems and Solutions
A question is posed which is designed to
raise a problem in the readers mind and like
a friend, the text offers advice.
Sometimes the advice is given in a more
authorative way, like if its for a serious health
condition i.e.
CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS:
THE ADVICE YOU NEED











Rhyme: Catch him, snatch him, make
him yours

Alliteration: Six simple secrets to keep
you looking fabulous

Assonance: Fake mates

Technique 6: Tricks of Language
Vocabulary of excess: Theres zillions of
styles to suit you

Superlatives: (comparison to the highest
degree) Scrap the rest weve got the
best

Puns: Frisky Fellas. How to spring the
little lambs

Polysemous words: Nice Tackle! The
sexiest rugby players youve ever seen

Intertextuality: CURL POWER!

Idiomatic phrases: Snogs ahoy!

Contractions: The boy spesh!
What examples
can you find?




Now you should be able to apply your
new knowledge of Techniques to your
own magazine front cover.

Remember who you are trying to attract
and which techniques will work best for
your target audience.