Topic: Feature Article for Teen Magazine

Order Description

TASK (including references and structure outline approved by teacher)

“Totally rip”, a youth culture magazine, offers serious comment on popular culture interests to 21st century

under 25s.

Write and layout a feature article for the magazine in which you deconstruct four news media texts (links

attached) which represent the idol Miley Cyrus.

In your deconstruction you are to explore how the text maker positions the reader to accept the

representation of the celebrity through the use of ideologies and language choices.

Genre: Feature article

Social purpose: To inform, argue a point of view, entertain

Tenor/roles/Relationships: Student to readers of the magazine ‘Totally Rip’, i.e. 21st century under 25s

Field/subject matter: How an idol is constructed in the media

Mode/medium: Print

Length: 800-1000 words

Referencing: In-text quotations/paraphrasing

Further information

Idol: Miley Cyrus

She has been chosen because she has been to Australia recently promoting local interest in feature

articles about her. Controversy follows her as the “good girl gone bad” theme works strongly in her favor

to attract media and readers attention.

1.Has Miley Cyrus gone too far?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mona-elyafi/has-miley-cyrus-gone-too-_b_3823204.html

Bad girl image a product of music industry expectations and audience demand for spectacle rather than

performance quality. Role model issues

2.My Oh Miley! America’s baddest bad girl doesn’t care what you think of her.

http://www.wmagazine.com/people/celebrities/2014/02/miley-cyrus-ronan-farrow/

In depth interview dealing with public image, attitude to life, early years, personal interests, security and

the isolation of fame

3.Miley Cyrus on Why She Loves Weed, Went Wild at the VMAs and Much More Rolling Stone

vmas-and-much-more-20130927#ixzz3GbHj2nhH

In depth interview covering many of the current issues impacting on her life. Pictures to analyse

Something to keep in mind/questions to ask yourself: In the Rolling Stone article – she provides a few

quotes – which will provide bait for further gossip/stories about her – e.g. drug references. Do you think to

some degree she knows what she is doing? To what degree does Cyrus have control over her dominant

representation?

4. Miley Cyrus Has a Bad Influence

Miley Cyrus Has a Bad Influence

Opportunity lost as a good role model. Wrecking Ball photo.

In this article Miley is constructed as a popular positive role model to girls being corrupted by the fame

she has won and the powerful influences of the music industry. Her role has changed from sweet and

capable Hannah Montana to a highly sexualised, drug-taking singer with little care for the impression she

leaves on children following her exploits. In the wrecking ball photo she appears strong and confident but

the lack of a smile suggests indifference to the viewers thoughts even as her eyes catch yours – she is

only passing by.

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