Explore the key characteristics that make magazines a popular and enduring form of media. From targeted audience to visual appeal, magazines offer diverse content for every reader.
Magazines are a channel of communication halfway between newspapers and books. Unlike newspapers or books, however, njany of the most influential magazines are difficult or impossible to purchase at newsstands. With their color printing and slick paper (in most cases), magazines have become a showplace for the exciting graphics.Magazines are in many ways the ideal medium for serious treatment of the major issues of our day.
History of News Magazines
Many consider the first magazine to be Daniel Defoe’s review. Out of the Journalistic style of Defoe came the other publications the Tatler and the Spector. Richard Steel began publishing the “Tatler” in 1709 with a broader editorial scope than had been characteristic of the Review. Moral issues ranging from gambling to dueling were the target of the Tatler’s biting prose, although foieign news, theater reviews, and even humor were also included. A partner of ‘Steele, Joseph Addison, joined him to publish the first edition of the “Spectator” in March, 1711 The spectator was the first Magazine to make a contribution to literature.
In the United States, at the same-time he was still publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette, Benjamin Franklin began publication of the General Magazine. Designed as a collection of articles from books, pamphlets, and newspapers, the publication reached residents of the American colonies as early as 1741 Political documents and news of Parliament’s actions that affected the colonies were among its content, making it one of the first magazines to truly attempt an editorial content for the mass audience.
In 1830 Louis Godey founded Godey’s Lady’s Book, an American Magazine for women.
For more than two hundred years, however, the general magazine dominated the field. Eventually television arrived and competed with magazines for the advertising dollar. As a result, many of the General Magazines folded.
Now-a-day, you name the interest and there probably is a magazine for it. There are even magazines for various age groups ranging from Modern Maturity for the older citizens to seventeen for young girls. There are magazines for those interested in politics and current affairs, businesses, child ‘raising, high style, homemaking, and home decorating.
Characteristics of Magazines
Magazines are one type of printed media that is published periodically. According to the time of publication, it is divided into monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, and so on. Magazines are also one of the journalistic products that provide various content related to a topic that is considered important for readers to know.
In general, a magazine will focus on a specific topic. Therefore, in real life we can find various types of magazines such as fashion, health, entertainment, business, politics, or sports magazines.
Magazines not only present the results of special coverage and interviews as their journalistic products. Magazines also often display various content such as tips related to the topic or theme being raised. In addition, magazine content also feels more colorful with the presence of many photos and graphics. The presence of various photos and graphics strengthens the image of a magazine on a particular topic.
In addition to the above understanding, we can also recognize magazines from their features or characteristics. Because, magazines have unique characteristics and distinguish them from other printed media. The following are the characteristics of magazines.
1. Raise a specific theme or topic
As mentioned before, magazines generally cover a specific theme or topic. For example, fashion, health, entertainment, business, politics, or sports.
2. Published periodically
Each magazine has its own publishing schedule. There is no fixed time for how long a magazine will be published. There are magazines that are published every week, month, or even year.
3. Has a distinctive design
Each magazine has a distinctive design that distinguishes it from other magazines. The design is also beautified with quality graphic displays, images and photos.
4. Varied Content
Magazines have varied content. Inside the magazine can contain various columns whose discussions are in accordance with the theme or topic of the magazine. Some of the columns that are common in magazines include interviews, tips, book reviews, and others.
5. Often Launch Special Editions
Some magazines are known to launch special editions. Usually, these special editions will be released at certain times such as Ramadan, Christmas, summer, and so on.
6. Include Advertisements
In magazines there are also often advertisements. However, the advertisements displayed are not just any product. Usually, advertisements in magazines are still relevant to the main theme or topic.
In conclusion, the characteristics of magazines make them a popular and enduring form of media that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.