Article Analysis 4

Magazine article Analysis: Top of the Pops
Avril Lavigne

Layout and organisation of the article
This article I am analysing is from Top of the Pops magazine in 2007. It is one page and then a double page spread of an interview with Avril Lavigne about issues with boys. The layout of this article on the first page is split into two, on half is the start of the interview and a brief introduction and the other half is the main large image of Avril, the double page spread is mainly another image of Avril Lavigne. She takes up one page and a half of the double pages, the rest of the interview is on the remaining left hand side of the page. This is so that the main focus is on the picture of her and for younger readers a smaller amount of text is what they would prefer to read. The interview stays on the left hand side of each of the pages containing it and there are large quotes surrounding the interview that are needed emphasising, for example: ‘I used to think I loved every guy I dated.’ And they always cover a small apart of the main images so as to keep the emphasis on her.
The masthead on the first page is written in different fonts for each word. ‘Girlfriend Power’, these two words are the largest text on the page, Girlfriend covers the whole top of the page and power is large but stays to the left hand side of the page so as not to cover Avril’s face. There is also a strap line to the left of the page underneath ‘Power’ which is large and emphasised but still stays to the left so it doesn’t cover the main image.
The main interview text is laid out in a boldly lined text box to keep it separated from everything else in the page; it is also slanted to relate to the theme of the article about no being perfect which also gives it a rebellious look. The quote boxes also follow this theme as well as the Strap line and other information boxes. Even though the layout is quite scruffy, it is well organised; the masthead is at the top, the introduction below it, and the interview stays on the same side of the pages. Also snippets of information are placed in bold boxes to keep them separate from the main article and the extra bullet point ‘tips’ are on the right side f the main image on the double page spread to keep them separate from the interview.

Maintaining Interest
The reader maintains interest throughout the article because of the bright eye catching colours, the large quotes that keep the audience interested in the content and also the text box that points to the next page and promises the reader juicy gossip and tips from Avril: ‘Avril’s love, lies and heartbreak- Turn Over!’ This exclamatory sentence urges the audience to read on as the best bits of the interview are still to come. The introduction of the interview; the first question ends with ‘can you give us some advice?’ this hints that the inter view promises boy trouble solutions and this would appeal strongly to its target audience and keep them hooked. Also the interview continues with funny questions and an unserious tone, it is conversational so the reader doesn’t lose interest. The quotes that are blown up hold either funny lines or main topics that concern its target audience: (‘Obsessed over being skinny…’) which then makes the reader want to read on to get to these parts.

Language and layout used for Target Audience
The target audience for this magazine I believe is young girls between the ages of 8 and 14. I get this feeling because of the type of article and how it is styled. It is an interview with Avril Lavigne which focuses on problems with boys; an issue that is very popular with girls between these ages; they would want to read the interview to see if Avril can help them solve any of their own boy problems. Any older girls would have grown out of this type of magazine as they would be looking more into fashion magazines and celebrity gossip rather than a pop music magazine.


-Layout
The layout of the article appeals to the target audience also. Firstly the main pictures; Avril takes up a lot of the pages and she looks happy and confident, but also wears hair ribbons with a skull on it reinforcing her old punk rocker side; this then could make the reader aspire to be like her, they want to be a strong, successful and independent person. The first image of Avril depicts her making a ‘shh’ gesture which gives the reader an impression that she is telling them her secrets, thus making them feel special and in on her secretive tips; something that young girls love.
The colours in the pictures could represent a lot of things; the red background could represent her fiery and bold personality, and her black clothes and dark accessories reinforce her ‘punk rocker side.’
-Language
Secondly, the language of this article is very informal, it is almost like a conversation and this is very appealing to the audience as they could read the interview quickly and not have to read lots of formal boxes of text; the interview is like a quick, friendly chat: ‘Yeah! I used to think I loved every guy I dated in High School!’ and ‘Just cos you like a guy...’ The use of colloquial language makes the interview flow more quickly and makes the reader feel like they are part of this conversation. Also some of the things Avril drops into the interview such as: ‘But high school guys are extremely immature’ are things that the target audience can relate too, making them feel as though Avril knows what she is talking about.
The masthead of the article is attention grabbing to the audience; the words ‘Girlfriend Power!’ each have a different meaning; ‘girlfriend’ is the name of her hit single at the time of the article and ‘power’ is there to give the female audience a feeling of empowerment, to be like Avril Lavigne who is known for her independent, rebellious personality. The strap line underneath the masthead holds a brief introduction and gives an insight into what the article is going to be about. It appeals to the audience because it flows well by using alliteration: ‘-the boy-bashing beauty with brains,’ and keeps it humorous and unserious, also the sentences are mainly simple to get straight to the point and keep the pace going.
The interviewee uses plural pronouns: ‘We won’t start...’, ‘What if we’re to shy...’ and this is to make the questions seem personal to every reader, it is including each reader as if they are the ones being answered, and it is personal reference to the audience.
On the strap line Avril is called ‘Miss Avril Lavigne!’ there are no references made throughout the interview of her present love life, despite the fact she is married. I feel the magazine has done this to make the audience feel they are on the same level as her, the title ‘Miss’ represents young girls and I think the magazine wanted the readers to still think of her as young and independent so that they could feel as though they related to her in some way.
The ideology of this article is that she is back; she’s a new Avril and has changed from ‘rock goddess’ to ‘confident girly girl with attitude’, however this idea is conflicting as she talks about ‘being yourself’ when the media and record companies have changed and developed her image.