The written codes in a magazine

Written Codes



The written codes in a magazine article are communicated through the language that is used. The key area to think about is the publications 'mode of address'

Mode of address: The way it speaks to its audience, this could be very formal or indeed very casual. It may be humorous or serious, chatty or professional. The types of words selected and the style and complexity of the sentences used are how the mode of address is usually identified.

Symbolic Codes

The symbolic codes are based around the choice of images, fonts and colours used by the magazines.

In terms of image selection and capture, the following must be considered:

Selection: The choice of which shot to use.

Cropping: This involves trimming off parts of a picture after it has been taken.

Framing: The composition of the elements of the shot as it is being taken, mainly how things are presented in relation to each other.

Point of view: Where a photograph is taken from will influence the way in which it is perceived. The perspective as well as background have a major implication on the way we read an image.