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1.9 Magazine Article

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IB English
IB English Paper 1
IB English Examples
Purpose
Authorial Choices
IB English Sample

Purpose & Effect

Purpose
Effect
Informing and Educating
Shaping Cultural Norms and Trends
Entertaining
Education and Skill Development
Marketing and Advertising
Economic Impact
Building Community
Social Connection and Identity
Informing and Educating / Shaping Cultural Norms and Trends
Magazine articles often aim to provide readers with detailed information on a particular topic, whether it's scientific discoveries, health advice, or cultural phenomena. They help readers stay informed and educated about subjects that are relevant to their interests or needs.
Magazine articles can influence cultural norms, fashion trends, and lifestyle choices. For instance, beauty and fashion magazines often set trends that their readers follow.
Entertaining / Education and Skill Development
Many magazines include content designed to entertain their audience. This can include celebrity interviews, humor columns, human interest stories, and lifestyle pieces. The goal is to engage readers and provide a pleasant reading experience.
Informative articles on entertainment  topics like cooking, fitness, or home improvement can educate readers and help them develop new skills or improve existing ones.
Marketing and Advertising / Economic Impact
Articles in magazines can shape readers' views on various issues, from politics to social justice. Thus political magazines may aid in marketing for specific candidates. On a more general basis, marketing and advertising may help in boosting a product’s rating, relevance, and profit through positive reviews and heightened awareness.
Articles that review or promote products and services can have a significant economic impact, driving sales and influencing market trends.
Building Community / Social Connection and Identity
Specialty magazines target niche audiences and foster a sense of community among readers who share specific interests, such as hobby magazines, trade publications, and fan magazines. They provide a platform for shared experiences and knowledge.
Readers often identify with the magazines they read, which can reinforce their sense of identity and belonging. Specialty magazines can help readers connect with others who share similar interests or values.
In summary, magazine articles play a crucial role in informing, entertaining, and influencing readers. They help shape cultural norms, raise awareness on important issues, and can drive economic and social changes. Through these various functions, magazines contribute significantly to the way individuals understand and interact with the world around them.

Techniques

Magazine articles, while primarily focused on explaining, informing, expressing opinion or report, often employ various literary techniques to enhance readability, engender interest or response, and effectively convey their messages. Here are some literary techniques commonly used in magazine articles:
Narrative Style
Storytelling / Anecdotes
Descriptive Language
Vivid Imagery
Dialogue
Quotations / Conversational Tone
Structure and Organization
Subheadings / Bullet Points and Lists
Voice and Tone
Authorial Voice / Tone
Literary Devices
Metaphors and Similes / Hyperbole / Repetition
Persuasive Techniques
Pathos / Logos / Ethos
In an IB English Language and Literature course, analyzing these techniques helps students understand how news articles are crafted not just to inform but also to engage, persuade, and impact their readers. By recognizing these techniques, students can critically evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of different news sources
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Examples
Guiding Question
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Comment on how language, style and format (including the title) are used in this text in the representation of Saif Ali Khan.
•
Comment on the importance of context, audience and purpose to your understanding of this text and of Saif Ali Khan.
Grade 5
Grade 6

Grade 7

Piyush Roy’s magazine article ‘The Prince of Tides’, published by Stardust Icon in 2010, not only targets those immersed and interested in the trends of Bollywood actors, but also beautifully interests the readers in Saif Ali Khan’s rise to stardom. Roy illustrates and explains the different facets, from Saif’s carefree life, to his relaxed attitude, to emphasize how he grew from reckless glass cannon to the ultimate Bollywood ‘cool dude’. Through his use of stylistic devices, structural conventions, and audience understanding, Roy manages to create a sensational piece, reminiscent of gossip magazines.
From an initial read, it is evident and suggestable that this article was produced with an intended audience of Bollywood fans in mind, more specifically Bollywood fans interested in Saif Ali Khan. Uniquely, by assuming that the reader is already aware about Saif’s film roles, Roy’s casual mentioning of Khan’s numerous films, such as Love Aaj Kal and A Tashan, creates an intrinsic connection with the target audience of Khan’s fans and those deeply engrossed in the cultures of Bollywood. Moreover, Roy emphasizes how Khan’s sudden rise to success was due to his “unfettered”, “unpredictable”, and “unplanned” personality. Through the alliterative catchphrases, and the use of negative prefix of ‘un’, Roy not only develops rhythm and tone, engaging the reader’s auditory senses, but he also emphasizes the notion that Khan’s success rose from his natural, pure, and unadulterated personality - by being imperfect and himself, he rose to stardom. Such themes are beautifully illustrated in the opening paragraph’s final sentence where Roy mentions how Khan has “survived to become the ultimate cool dude”, highlighting how his “unpredictability” helps make him an “in-sync-with-the-times youth icon”. Through the use of colloquial phrases such as “ultimate cool dude” and “in-sync-with-the-times”, Roy not only beautifully highlights the “unpredictable” casual nature of Khan, but also the iconic representation of Khan as the ideal model figure for the “youth”: further relating to the younger audience often found within gossip magazines.
Throughout the article, Roy dictates Khan’s rise to stardom, explaining how he could maintain his success as an actor and celebrity. By focusing on Khan’s biography and his initial struggles in the 1990s to debut as an actor against his brothers, Roy manages to beautifully engage the readers and highlight Khan’s road to stardom through his dismissive attitude, satirical remarks, and reference to classic idioms. For instance, Roy satirically taunts Khan’s initial career by mentioning how he was “ignored as the ‘man with the funny face’”. Through the dismissive remark, not only are the readers surprised by the phrase juxtaposing Khan’s initial praises as a “success story in the superleagues of stars”, but by highlighting his substandard beginnings as an actor, readers are now intrigued by his sudden rise to fame, compelling them to read further to uncover the reasons behind his ascent to stardom. Moreover, by mentioning Khan’s “natural recklessness almost became his nemesis”, Roy beautifully illustrates and reflects the classic idiom of ‘becoming your worst enemy’ into Khan’s “unfettered” personality, providing a coherent and simplified rendition of Khan’s rise to fame through adept references to classically and culturally ingrained expressions, aiding readers in understanding and interpreting the “moral of the Saif success story” - encouraging them to read on.
Furthermore, Roy adopts a ‘know-it-all’ tone, warning Khan about the risks of stardom and the impacts it may have on ego and arrogance. By assuming such a tone, Roy manages to create an ambience of subjectivism, reflecting the features often found within gossip magazines. For instance, Roy encouragingly cautions Kahn to stray away from the dangers of fame, emphasizing how he should avoid “the demons of smugness” that “corrupt[s] good actors”. By adopting a mentor-to-mentee tone and providing Kahn with advice garnered from years of professional reporting, Roy highlights the importance of Kahn in retaining his wholesome carefree attitude. Through this ‘know-it-all’ tone, Piyush’s credibility is reinforced, as the development of ethos not only builds trust between the reader and writer, but helps engross Khan’s fans to read onwards, intrigued by the biographical lessons from Khan’s life. Roy’s convenient confections of advice are also bolstered through his detailed depictions of Khan’s initial debut, where he discusses how Khan, who initially struggled, is now as good as his brothers, “constantly experimenting, reinventing, and breaking new ground”. Roy’s opinionated discussion- contrasting more objective articles - reflects the sensation often seen in gossip magazines, while the use of the tricolon list grasps the reader's attention through rhetorics. Still, Roy warns Khan about how he “shouldn’t repeat himself or short change his following”, creating an informative and sensational tone throughout the article.
Moreover, Prince of Tides grabs the audience's attention through the sensational effect formed by the plethora of stylistic devices used, whether it be alliteration, anaphoric catch phrases, vivid imagery, or the use of colloquialism. For instance, through alliteration, Roy describes Khan’s “strive, strife and style”, forming a flashy and upbeat tone. This is also reflected through the anaphoric parallel structures used, where Roy mentions that Kahn’s “catch is to remain imperfect, remain humane, remain vulnerable, remain unsatisfied, remain unpredictable – remain Saif”. Through the anaphoric catchphrase, Roy envelops his writing with rhythm and style, while simultaneously developing suspense through his clever use of repetition, which ultimately culminates through the coinage of the term “remain[ing] Saif'' - fully engaging the target audience of Saif’s fans, who love the raw unadulterated features preceded by “remain[ing] Saif”. By suggesting that Saif’s rise to stardom is due to his vulnerable and imperfect persona, a more relatable and humane attitude is formed, juxtaposing the glitz and glamor of Bollywood stardom. Moreover, the use of imagery further develops the sensational and emotional feeling formed throughout the article. Roy states how Khan has “tasted blood”, “played second fiddle”, and has had a “mixed palette of roles”. Through figurative speech, a sense of excitement is used to appeal towards the reader’s pathos. Likewise, the choice of vocabulary creates a sensational and colloquial tone, as seen through Roy’s use of language with words like “cool dude”, “Gen X storytellers”, and “in-sync-with-the-times”, spotlighting Khan’s presence as the epitome of modern Bollywood’s era - inspiring youths. Additionally the use of colloquial terms allows the readers to easily follow, fully encapsulating the interactive, reader-to-audience focused, gossip magazine nature of the text.
Interestingly, Roy’s descriptions of Khan’s sensationalism isn’t just depicted through his literary approach, but also through his visual and structural techniques. For instance, Roy immediately relies on the title’s format, “the PRINCE of TIDES”, as a symbol for the flowing waves of an ocean. This coupled with the initial format of the title with capital letters helps easily grasp the reader’s attention, increasing engagement. Moreover, the large subheading quote is not only eye-catching, but also acts as a presentation of Khan’s “fatalistic attitude”, reflecting the topic of the whole story. Additionally, the hyperbolic use of the word “prince” further emphasizes the themes of rising stardom - reflecting Khan’s struggles with a prince ascending into a king. Moreover, the title, which is anchored to the text as well as a portrait image of Khan posing for the camera, allows readers to fully associate “the Prince of Tides” with the photo seen. The mystique of Khan’s portrait reflects the eye-catching nature of gossip magazines, while the allure of Khan posing with an unbuttoned shirt emphasizes and encapsulates the glamor often found in Bollywood films: shocking and surprising readers who may be unfamiliar with Khan, as the portrait contrasts Roy’s initial description of Khan’s “funny face”. Thus, by cleverly utilizing effective eye-catching visual designs, while feeding into the gossip magazine-esque nature of the text and contrasting the initial literary depictions of Khan, Roy manages to hone into the target audience of Bollywood fans, creating a more intimate and personal connection with the readers.
In conclusion, Roy utilizes numerous stylistic devices and structural conventions, adopting features of gossip magazines in order to create a personal and engaging relationship with the readers, incentivising them to read onwards and learn more about the “moral of the Saif Success Story”. By specifically targeting Indian readers who are intrigued by the lives of Bollywood stars, Roy manages to explicitly use such sensational devices and conventions to effectively achieve his purpose of explaining Khan’s rise to stardom while reflecting his unadulterated and uncontainable carefree attitude.
Text A
Guiding Question
How and to what effect are diction and imagery used in this text?
Grade 5
Grade 6

Grade 7

The analysis of diction and imagery within Dana Moskowitz Grumdahl's online article, "Ode to Cauliflower," published in Experience Life, delves into the historical foundation and nuanced portrayal of cauliflower as a rising superfood. By targeting a primary audience of Experience Life Magazine subscribers, and more specifically those interested in food culture and nutrition, Grumdahl meticulously crafts her article, informing her readers about the nutritional benefits of cauliflower through an educative, emotional, and narrative tone. Moreover, by skillfully employing these literary devices to unveil a critique of the capitalist-driven food industry, positions the cauliflower as a refreshingly authentic alternative for holistic nourishment.
As seen throughout the text paragraphs, Grumdahl skilfully employs diction and imagery in her exposition on cauliflower, crafting a narrative that invites readers to marvel at the vegetable's unexpected allure. Initially, Grumdahl likens the "bumpy cauliflower head" to "a bunch of flowers", juxtaposing contrasting images, prompting readers to ponder the connection between these plants. The interplay between the scentless, rugged cauliflower and the fragrant, soft flowers intrigues readers regarding Grumdahls unconventional description, prompting them to further read on. Moreover, Grumdahl extends the floral motif by likening serving cauliflower to "spooning up a bouquet," thereby imbuing the vegetable with a sense of aestheticism akin to that of a flower. The metaphor of a bouquet also depicts the oxymoronic allure of a cauliflower, further emphasized by the alliterative imagery of "feasting on a roasted rose" - evoking a sensory olfactory experience which depicts the cauliflower as a delicacy, emphasizing the emotive narrative seen throughout the text.
Furthermore, Grumdahl's characterization of cauliflower as "mutant" and a "minor miracle" underscores its extraordinary nature, with the repetition of "miracle" throughout the text accentuating its surprising existence. Moreover, the alliteration of ‘M’ throughout the text develops rhythm alongside suspense, emphasizing the melodious nature of Grumdalh’s writing. Additionally, through the repetitive tricolon of "a miracle of flavor, a miracle of health, and a miracle of botany," Grumdahl amplifies the vegetable's magnificence through a repetition and emphasis on the vegetable’s “miraculous” qualities. Additionally, the polysemantic tricolon phrase "so bizarre and difficult and wonderful" captures both the strangeness and beauty of cauliflowers; through the last word, “wonderful,” juxtaposing the two negative adjectives used, an element of surprise is formed, further alluring the reader’s attention. As a result, Grumdahl masterfully imbues cauliflower with an allure that captivates the audience through strategic diction and evocative imagery.
Even more, Grumdahl intricately delves into the profound connection between cauliflowers and humanity, elevating them from mere vegetables to cherished legacies from our ancestors. The center image of a woman delicately tending to a cauliflower as if it were a bouquet of flowers imbues the vegetable delights with an aura of beauty - incomparable to other ‘standard’ plants. Grumdahl also cleverly personifies cauliflowers as "Humble Mutant[s]" hinting at their underappreciated status, while further intriguing readers behind their lack of acknowledgement. Moreover, the romanticized personification of the cauliflower's creation on how its “two odd genes met and grew” almost depicts the genes as two serendipitous lovers falling in love and having a child. This mirroring of human experiences further reinforces the notion of cauliflower possessing human-like qualities with an additional narrative of the “laughing woman” and “quiet man.” while highlighting the emotionally narrative tone found throughout the text. The enduring historical connection between humans and cauliflowers is reinforced as cauliflowers are explained as a plant inherited from "nameless, ancient souls.". Thus, through the historically educative tone of the text, alongside her evocative prose and imagery, Grumdahl compellingly highlights the interdependence between humans and cauliflower, urging us to cherish and preserve this ancestral bond.
Grumdahl, in order to create an educative tone for the readers, adeptly applies the technical intricacies of the cauliflower, employing varying tones to offer a comprehensive exploration of the vegetable. Initially, the text adopts a colloquial and first-person narrative, employing terms like "veggie" to establish an informal tone, fostering intimacy between readers while drawing readers into the narrative. However, the author juxtaposes colloquialism with more formal approaches. By incorporating Latin names such as "Cruciferae" and "Brassica oleracea" and defining scientific terminology like "cruciferous", Grumdahl adds a layer of precision to her descriptions. The detailed language and formal tone subtly enhances the credibility and depth of the text’s work, creating an educative tone. By seamlessly blending pathos with logos, the author creates a nuanced portrayal of the cauliflower, ensuring a multifaceted emotive yet educative exploration of the vegetable.
Ultimately, to emphasize the text’s underlying educative tone, Grumdahl adeptly concludes the text by scrutinizing the contemporary and heavily promoted superfoods, positioning cauliflowers as an effective yet neglected alternative. Through irony and satire, the writer introduces the notion of "superstar veggie status", “fancy restaurants”, and “hip health-food bistros” as symbols for the fleeting nature of modern superfoods fads. Juxtaposing this ironic stance, Grumdahl highlights the lack of presence of cauliflowers in health trends, through anaphora, stating how “no one markets them because no one owns them”. This assertion is emblematic of the profit-driven motives behind superfoods and their marketing, highlighting many brands’ disregards for genuine nutritional efficacy. Through these critiques, the text offers a compelling argument for the reevaluation of health trends, advocating for a return to substantive, evidence-based nutrition over commercialized health fads, developing an informative tone through a focus on logos and ethos.
Text B