Multimodal Meaning-making: A Stylistic Analysis of the Use of Semiotic Resources in Magazine Covers

Abstract

Magazine covers are rarely the topic of linguistic research, despite the enormous academic interest in linguistics. It is especially remarkable, given that the top page is the standard contact text and combines verbal and visual cues to deliver sophisticated and persuasive messages. This study focuses on the multimodal stylistic analysis of the cover pages of magazine covers drawn from two genres, i.e., fashion and political & international relations. The analysis was made by applying the Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MCDA). The research identifies that using particular modes, modalities, color schemes, visuals, and linguistic components on magazine covers significantly contributes to meaning-making. The study's findings reveal that Pakistani and International magazines vary in their use of multimodal resources for the stereotypical representation of females and politicians. The current study is expected to help future scholars better understand the discursive construction of social identities through multimodal media.