Profiler
Module 1, Activity 8.2 - Profiling a Magazine
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(teacher lesson for this lesson)

Introduction:

Magazines are one of the most popular mediums in print journalism. With so many different types of magazines, and their wide circulation, there is something for everyone. In this lesson, you will have the chance to differentiate between general-interest and special-interest magazines as well as profile a magazine.

Activities:

Task One - What's interesting?
Begin by taking down the following brief definitions of the the two major groups of magazines:

General-interest magazines try to appeal to a variety of readers. Often the magazine is broken up into sections that target different audiences.
Examples: Time, Maclean's, People

Special-interest magazines are designed with a narrow audience in mind.
Examples: Seventeen, Car and Driver, Popular Science

Choose a magazine from the selection your teacher has provided or use the one you brought to class. Using the definition and examples provided determine what type of magazine you have.

Create two piles of magazines - special-interest and general-interest.

Once you have answered these questions individually, use them to participate in a discussion on types of magazines.

Task Two - Profiling
Working in partners, choose three different magazines, including at least one special- interest and one general-interest magazine, to profile. Fill in the profile handout.

Task Two - Continued . . .
When you have completed the profile handout, discuss the following questions come to a concensus with your partner.

1. How much of a magazine is about providing information?
2. How much of a magazine is about advertising?
3. How do magazines keep their readers hooked?
4. How do magazines entice new readers?
5. How might a magazine target a particular audience?

Spend some time discussing, as a class, the impact that magazines can have on society as a whole.

Task Three - Reflect
It is time to look at the impact that magazines have your life.

In your notebook write a reflective piece, approximately half a page long, discussing the magazines you read. Describe the ways in which magazines have impacted your views on a particular subject or how magazines have impacted you as a consumer.