MY BIG ISSUE

MAGAZINE
How does my
magazine use
intertextuality and link
to different context?

• Political context
• Cultural context
• Economic context
• Social context
Political Context:
■ My Big Issue magazine focuses on the topic of environmental issues, and covers one of the most
current issues- plastic and it's impact on our planet.
■ Currently, plastic problems is a large topic in politics. Politicians are choosing whether to and
when/how to help tackle the problem and raise awareness.
■ A 25 year plan has been launched by Theresa May last week, on eliminating plastic. This includes;
banning microbeads (used in shampoo etc. where millions can be washed down the drain into the
oceans, effecting marine life diets and even ending up in our own food products.) As well as setting
up plastic free aisles, reducing plastic straw production, increasing the 5p bag tax (resulting in 90%
fall in plastic bag use), promoting the use of recyclable/non plastic alternatives and much more.
■ 13 billion plastic bottles are used every year, 7.5 billion end up in landfill, are burnt and contribute
to pollution, or end up in oceans.
■ Therefore, the reason why I chose this topic as my front cover of the Big Issue, is because it is
something that has become increasingly important to world leaders and the public are now very
aware of it. It is no longer a distant threat or prediction- we can see the impact in our lives right now
as we see litter surrounding us everywhere, killing wildlife and infecting beaches etc.. Because it is
happening now people know we need to act on it, however the scale of the problem is worrying and
lots of companies are still trying to ignore it/not accept the fact that this is very real and a serious
issue.
■ Most leaders are currently creating plans of action and trying to get other countries to do the same.
 Social Context:
■ Lots of people may feel guilty or be aware of the importance of not damaging our environment. By
using direct mode of address and imperatives (“we must act now”) in my magazine, as well as
showing a large picture of a beach full of rubbish, it highlights how I want them to feel that this
issue involves them and will effect them so they shouldn't ignore it.
■ The yellow warning tape gives the audience the idea of their beaches and other locations, in the
not so distant future, being restricted or inaccessible. It also gives the impression of danger and
contamination, with the background showing a ruined beach. This links to social context as people
will feel more worried about the situation, not wanting this to happen, and therefore are more
interested in looking at the magazine. By seeing a beach, it connects to their memories of enjoying
holidays or being with family which is now ruined, no longer relaxing or pretty at all.
■ Some people may feel guilty or like they need to do their part in helping the world so will read it to
see how they can.
Rhetorical question- makes the audience think of
■ “Is this what you want your world to look like?” how this will effect them personally and realise the
importance of the issue. It also makes them feel
like they have a purpose and the ability to do
something about it- it’s motivational and
“Your world” personal pronoun- This makes the audience identify encouraging. Questioning the audience on what
with the statement and feel responsible. "Your world” implies you they are doing to stop this- knowing that they
deserve the right to say you aren't happy with how the world is being definitely don’t want the world to look like this.
treated and how it will effect your livelihood or future generations
and how they may grow up to see the world in a very miserable way.
The problem isn’t just the governments issue, its everyone’s and you
can’t ignore it.
 Economic Context:
■ Millions of pounds are being spent on new plans to tackle these problems. This emphasises how
much there is to fix and how big of an impact it is having.
■ The image of the beach covered in litter links to this as it reminds you that it’s like that in
countless areas which will take a huge amount of time, money and effort to remove.
■ This also links under political reasons and the reason for why I chose to do this topic.
Environmental issues as a whole is one of the most threatening and biggest current problems that
will have a massive impact on everything now and in the future.
Cultural Context and Intertextuality:
■ This magazine cover will likely attract audiences worried or interested about environmental issues.
By using a more light-hearted appearance of my magazine it may be more appealing to the
audience as it's making a serious issue more funny and unique compared to the usual newspapers
they see. However, once the reader is interested you can then get more serious to get your point
across.
■ It will also attract a wide range of ages and people due to the intertextuality used in this cover. I
used Marvel as it is a huge and popular franchise which many people are familiar with, therefore they will
understand any references and link it to the message. Marvel has recently released it’s biggest film yet so
it will have a large active audience surrounding it who will be attracted to this magazine through the
reference.
■ I used Thanos (from the most recent film) saying “Even I can't fix this” implying that this issue is
something you can't easily solve with the snap of your fingers and has gone too far. Everyone knows how
powerful Thanos is so people can understand how serious the problem is meant to be. I also included
Doctor Strange, with a cover line beside him saying 'There is no time' which is a pun/reference to his
powers with time. He is a superhero that people trust and look up to, so it reinforces the encouragement
to act now on the problem.
■ Doctor Strange has a very serious expression on his face which is contrasted with the exaggerated,
googly eyed expression of Thanos, adding humour to the magazine.