TBI - Satire

 The Big Issue - Satire



Starter

Find a definition of satire and try to think of an example of this from the media you engage with.







While satire is humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using humour to draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society.


Satire is found in many artistic forms of expression, including internet memes, literature, plays, commentary, musicfilm and television shows, and media such as lyrics.






Task - Satirical Representations

Below are some clips from the Spitting Image franchise. Consider the following:
  • In what ways might we consider these clips to be satire?

  • What gratifications do shows like this offer their audience?

  • Why do you think contemporary politics is one of the main areas of satirical representations that we see in The Big Issue?



Liz Truss vs Rishi Sunak - Spitting Image





Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image the Musical




Task - Satire and The Big Issue

Now we are going to analyse a front cover of The Big Issue as a group. 

Remember, The Big Issue is a niche magazine that is outside of the mainstream. It is a contrasting example of how media language can be used to construct alternative representations that appeal to a particular audience. 

  • List the conventions/denotations that we will use to decode this cover.

  • In what ways is this cover satirical? Use media language in your response

  • Which demographics/psychographics would be engaged by this cover?






TBI Conventions

  • Tagline - stands for the ethos of TBI as a charity, rather than just a magazine
  • Image - Use of illustrations, rather than a photograph (challenges mainstream mags)
  • Composition/Layout - changes with every front cover, rather than having a standard layout that is recognisable as part of the magazines brand
  • Mode of Address - often encodes intertextual references to other media products or cultural traditions
  • Puffs - the shapes help to reinforce the theme of the issues and create coherence with the main image (aesthetic)
  • Cover Lines - they aren't always used and when they are, they are usually integrated into the main image so way

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