Magazines Essay, Research Paper
In the six hundred years that have passed since Johannes Gutenberg first was first credited with inventing ?movable type?, periodical literature has become a multi-billion dollar conglomerate that rivals no other. While some may argue that it was actually the eleventh century Chinese publisher Pi Ching that devised such a system, it is no doubt that advances in technology are responsible for the growth of magazines, and in many cases, magazines are in part accountable for the growth of society.
Movable type, whoever its creator, was merely a system of interchangeable printing ?blocks?, each containing a different character in the alphabet. These blocks could be put in any order, creating an endless vocabulary that capable of being printed. Prior to the invention of movable type, printers had to sometimes carve an entire page into a piece of wood, or cast the page in metals. Once the page was completed, the slab was essentially useless, except for printing a reproduction of the same page.
With the onset of the twenty-first century, other technological advancements have revolutionized the publishing world. Hand drawn illustrations and black and white photographs have become antiquated by color photography and computer generated imagery. Whereas Gutenberg simply modified the manner in which paper was printed upon, the Internet has eliminated the paper altogether. Subscribers are often given the option of receiving their magazines via email. Other subscribers are not even given a choice, as certain magazines are only offered in an online format.
However the publishers of a given magazine are choosing to reach their audience, one fundamental truth has remained at the forefront of international commerce: Magazines are an invaluable tool in promoting any product. Almost every day, another magazine is published, catering to a group of individual desires. With those desires, advertisers are able to target their audience, never losing sight of who the reader is, or what the reader could potentially want to purchase.
Such elementary marketing techniques are visible every time a reader fingers through a magazine. A copy of Sports Illustrated, for example, may contain advertisements for products such as automotive supplies or power tools, since the publication is geared toward primarily men. Women?s Day may be filled with ads for cosmetics and household items. And one might find that Seventeen is comprised of advertisements for beauty and skin products. Of course, as with any mass media, there are going to be exceptions as to who the reader is. Women read sports magazines, while men may read home journals. But as a collective, publishers need to know whom they are writing for. Because readers? tastes vary so greatly, many publishers have decided to take a more active, specialized approach. Rather than having just one magazine aimed at a large market group, they have narrowed the topic of their publication. Suddenly, serials such as Women?s Day (which had originally been created to canvass women?s issues in general) found themselves being outsold by the likes of Ladies? Home Journal, Better Homes and Gardens, and even New York Woman.
Assuming that the internet is responsible for changing the face of modern magazine publishing, television has virtually eliminated the need for them altogether. Before information could be transmitted through the airwaves and into one?s home, the only means in which that information could be relayed was via printed page. Magazines have not been completely erased from the formula, but a steady it became significantly easier for the reader to simply not read at all, once a television set sat in their home. Manufacturers continue to reach their target audience with advertisements, and the producers of a program can still develop entertaining material for the former reader to enjoy.
History has chronicled the chronicle itself over the years. In 1741, Benjamin Franklin published the first of his short lived The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle. This magazine is often credited with being the first published in the colonies. Franklin?s rival, however, would prevent such a distinction from being Franklin?s at all. On February 13, just three days prior to the release of The General Magazine, Andrew Bradford published his American Magazine. (Ironically, both magazines displayed a cover date of January, and the ?missed deadline? was born.) Franklin and Bradford argued publicly about whose magazine premiered first, but their efforts could have been better spent on publishing. Bradford?s magazine stopped printing in May, and Franklin?s in August.
In 1775, three months after relocating to the colonies, Thomas Paine produced The Pennsylvania Magazine, a publication in support of the anarchistic ways of the colonists. In 1776, The Pennsylvania Magazine went out of business, its last issue containing a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
In the mid-nineteenth century, slavery began to be frowned upon by the northern half of the United States. In 1831, William Lloyd Garrison hand pressed the first edition of The Liberator. ?I am in earnest. I will not equivocate. I will not excuse. I will not retreat a single inch. And I will be heard.? These words rapidly became some of the most well known in American publishing, and for thirty-four years Garrison?s audience grew, until nearly an entire nation rallied to end slavery. However, not everyone was impressed by The Liberator?s theme. Crowds would destroy his presses, and mobs would burn piles of the magazine. Any ?colored person? who subscribed to, or held a copy of The Liberator faced the possibility of a fine, or even 30 days in jail. Since most slaves maintained meager lives, they were unable to pay the heavy fine, subsequently spending a month behind bars.
The National Era was the most effective tool in the abolishment of slavery. It contained installments of Harriet Beecher-Stowe?s Uncle Tom?s Cabin, perhaps one of the most well known voices of the indentured slave. But the effect of the magazine on society?s view of itself was astounding. According to historian Kenneth Lynn, President Abraham Lincoln whimsically credited Uncle Tom?s Cabin with starting the Civil War. In 1865, the Civil War came to a close. Slavery had been successfully eliminated. With no social unrest to tackle, The Liberator ceased publication.
Big business began to boom toward the turn of the century. Many employers over-worked and under-paid their staff. Publishers took notice of this growing trend, and began to publish articles exposing the trend. Soon, the exploitation of the American worker would become the topic of its time. Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle, and it rapidly became one of the most infamous pieces of literature. The Jungle exposed the Chicago meat packing industry, and told the stories of immigrants who went to their deaths trying to make a living. President Theodore Roosevelt would later call this type of journalism ?muckraking?, due to the ability of the author to ?uncover dirt?.
The twentieth century brought forward a newer, modernized sense of self within society. By this point, magazines could be found in every doctor?s office, on every coffee table, and in almost every mailbox around the world. Magazines for men, women, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and even pets were readily available for anyone interested in reading them.
Due to the almost overwhelming impact that magazines have on society, it should come as no surprise that the publication is sometimes looked upon as the way that the reader ?should? look. Especially common among teenage girls, but not confined to such a group, magazines have been blamed for everything from a poor sense of style to deaths from eating disorders. According to an article published in the Hartford Courant Star Tribune, ?A study of girls from 5th to 12th grade has found a correlation between reading fashion magazines and a negative body image. Girls who avidly read fashion magazines are 2-3 times more likely to diet after reading a magazine article than girls who seldom read such magazines.? Additionally, a 1992 study found that women’s magazines contained ten and a half times as many advertisements and articles on weight loss as men’s magazines.
According to a 1996 article published in the International Journal of Eating
Disorders, the amount of time an adolescent watches soaps, movies and music videos is associated with their degree of body dissatisfaction and desire to be thin. Despite the steps being taken by multiple organizations, the problem of a woman?s body image and her role in society does not seem to be diminishing. In September of 1995, The United Nations Conference Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, China. They concluded that ?The continued projection of negative and degrading images of women in media communication ? electronic, print, visual and audio ? must be changed. Print and electronic media in most countries do not provide a balanced picture of women?s diverse lives and contributions to society in a changing world. In addition, violent and degrading or pornographic media products are also negatively affecting women and their participation in society. Programming that reinforces women?s traditional roles can be equally limiting. The worldwide trend towards consumerism has created a climate in which advertisements and commercial messages often portray women primarily as consumers and target girls and women of all ages inappropriately.?
In conclusion, mass media has been responsible for changing the face of society itself. Nations have been formed, African-American men and women freed, businesses exposed, and young girls have gone hungry, all for a society that has become accustomed to receiving its information on a monthly basis. Regardless of the advances in technology, that same information would have been relayed, were it not for the impact of periodical literature.
SOURCES
Bibliography
Brennon, J & Jones, B (1991). The American Magazine, New York: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online:
Publishing, history of
Muckrakers
United Nations Online
www.un
Fourth World Conference on Women
Platform for Action
Section J.236
319
Другие работы по теме:
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Our Superficial World Essay Research Paper Our
Our Superficial World Essay, Research Paper Our Superficial World Mostly everything in our world is based on outer beauty of people and objects. Society has a fixed image of beauty. Woman should be skinn with blond
Physically Fit Essay Research Paper Getting Physically
Physically Fit Essay, Research Paper Getting Physically Fit As I flipped through a magazine of Men’s Health, I saw muscular males with abs of steel, muscles that were ready to burst, and attractive females around each arm. This was a common occurrence when I looked through other magazines such as GQ or Men’s Fitness and my mind usually wondered if being physically fit was the way to be.
Sysco Cooks Up Sucess Essay Research Paper
Matthew Ruscigno 6. Legislator from non ? tobacco growing state, up for re-election. 1. Yes I do believe tobacco companies should be allowed to continue selling cigarettes. Taking this side probably strengthens my chance of getting re-elected, because if I take the opposite stance, I wouldn?t get any smokers to vote for me, and probably a large portion of the population are smokers.
Beauty Myth Essay Research Paper My Beliefs
Beauty Myth Essay, Research Paper My Beliefs on the Beauty Myth In today’s society it seems as though women are forced into being something that they are not. Women see pictures in magazines such as this advertisement I have attached to this paper, and they think to be accepted by everyone else they need to look like “that.” I believe that some of the feelings from “The Beauty Myth” are still true in today’s society, but on the other hand I believe that it should not have to be this way.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Media In Society Essay Research Paper The
Media In Society Essay, Research Paper The media in today?s society plays a very important role. There are two different kinds of media, written and non-written. Written media consists of newspapers and magazines. Non-written media consists of television and radio. These media?s differ in many ways. I am going to compare and contrast the two different types of media in today?s society.
Gipson Frederick Benjamin Essay Research Paper GIPSON
Gipson, Frederick Benjamin Essay, Research Paper GIPSON, FREDERICK BENJAMIN (1908-1973). Frederick (Fred) Benjamin Gipson, author, was born on a farm near Mason, Texas, on February 7, 1908, the son of Beck and Emma Deishler Gipson. He graduated from Mason High School in 1926 and after working at a variety of farming and ranching jobs entered the University of Texas in 1933.
Censorship Essay Research Paper What Happened To
Censorship Essay, Research Paper What Happened To Our Rights? Censorship in America today has gotten way out of hand. There always seems to be some holier than thou group speaking out as if they were representing the majority of Americans. These groups want to censor just about anything and everything we do.
Analize This Essay Research Paper Analyze ThisDid
Analize This Essay, Research Paper Analyze This Did you ever sit and analyze the kinds of commercials that are played on the television? At designated times, different people are targeted. Or how about the ways the grocery stores are set up with the candy, soda, and magazines near the check out area. Items in a store are put in certain places for a reason.
Music Writer Essay Research Paper Music WriterThe
Music Writer Essay, Research Paper Music Writer The job of being a music writer entails many things. As most people believe, they do more then criticize artists work. In an email interview between Steven Ward, and David McGee (a music writer), David tells of how he works for BarnesandNoble as a country music editor.
Pornography Viewed By The Four Ethical Standards
Essay, Research Paper Pornography The word Pornography is defined as “writings, photographs, movies, etc., intended to arouse sexual excitement”. With each year that passes pornography has been more and more accepted, it can be seen in books, magazines, cable television and most of all through the internet.
Ag Research Project Essay Research Paper RESEARCH
Ag Research Project Essay, Research Paper RESEARCH PROJECT RESEARCH QUESTION: How does the level of acid in a soil effect plant growth and yield? METHOD: First potting mix was put into twelve equally sized pots. The pots will be divided into three groups of four pots. Three of the four groups was treated with solutions of water and hydrochloric acids, these solutions were of varying degrees of acidity.
Do You Think Bulimia Is A Self-caused
Sickness? Or Do You Think Bulimia Isn?t A Sickness At All, It Essay, Research Paper Well actually bulimia is a very serious eating disorder which disrupts the ability to
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
Ads On Cigarettes Essay Research Paper
“Surgeon General’s Warning” Advertising is a technique to display a product on the market. They are also ways to sell the product. There are many different ways to advertise ones product, such as magazine articles, billboards, and television commercials. Advertising claims and basic appeals can be used to persuade the audience that their product is better then their competions product.
Anorexia Essay Research Paper Anorexia The ads
Anorexia Essay, Research Paper Anorexia The ads in all magazines promote one thing; skinny is the only way to be. From youth girl magazines to magazines inferred for adults, all women in ads are skinny, and this represents that you have to be skinny to be pretty, or get the man, or even to get the job.
Beauty Essay Research Paper Beauty has always
Beauty Essay, Research Paper Beauty has always been portrayed as a positive characteristic. Most often when we think of something being described as beautiful, we immediately think of a human being. But of course, it can describe ANYTHING including jewelry, nature, or even music. I m sure we have all heard of the clich , Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Collection Essay Research Paper COLLECTION SPEECHI ATTENTION
Collection Essay, Research Paper COLLECTION SPEECH I. ATTENTION GETTER Wait until you see what I did this summer! (Uncover collages) About a year ago, I started collecting magazines. After reading them and seeing all of the neat clippings that were in them, I began to cut them out. Soon, I had so many clippings, that I started pasting them together to form collages.
Newspaper And Magazines Essay Research Paper Newspaper
Newspaper And Magazines Essay, Research Paper Newspaper and Magazines Nowadays, we cannot use the old attitude to read newspapers or magazines, especially when reading those reports which are about the lives of famous
Business Ethics Essay Research Paper As an
Business Ethics Essay, Research Paper As an editor of a weekly magazine, there are many responsibilities. Upper management recently came to the editor and told him that sales have dipped dramatically. He was also told, that if things do not turnaround soon, heads will roll. Along comes a story that he knows is ethically wrong, but will sell many magazines.
Teens Are Stereotyped Essay Research Paper Have
Teens Are Stereotyped Essay, Research Paper Have you ever met someone who acted just as teens are stereotyped? Not many people have because they do not exist. Real teens are poorly portrayed in the media and are the complete opposite of their stereotypes. Books and TV shows make teens out to be wild or crazy, irresponsible and out of control.
Pornography Essay Research Paper The freedom of
Pornography Essay, Research Paper The freedom of speech in communities is important, but many people say that the selling of pornographic magazines in grocery, convenience stores, and others stores is a big problem. Many people think that magazines, like pornographic ones, send bad messages out to people especially kids.
Women Pioneers Essay Research Paper A Journey
Women Pioneers Essay, Research Paper A Journey Through Hardship The pioneer women didn?t have many rights at all. They were pretty much always controlled by the men, and weren?t ?allowed? to do anything on their own. They had to obey all men and if they were married, that made it even harder for them. The women were mainly responsible for caring for the kids, taking care of the crops and keeping the house neat; health, food, and family.
The Rest Of The Story Essay Research
Paper Car magazines like Car and Driver and Motor Trend both share the same interest in providing the consumer with information on new automobiles. Both Car and Driver and Motor Trend are monthly magazines. They both have professionals that test high performance cars and trucks on comfort, ability, engine, and overall capabilities.
The Randle Report Essay Research Paper The
The Randle Report Essay, Research Paper The Randle Report, by Kevin D. Randle explores UFO research in the1990’s. In reading his book I have gained much knowledge of how to determine whether
Alcohol Advertising Essay Research Paper The world
Alcohol Advertising Essay, Research Paper The world of advertising is exciting and diverse. It has the ability to influence society to follow certain trends or ideas. Every where you look there is some form of advertising. From television to radio, magazines to billboards, product advertising is a large factor in what we do.
Marketing Promotion Essay Research Paper 2500 Plan
Marketing Promotion Essay, Research Paper 2,500 Plan: write press release; design promotional flyer; make 100 contacts to local, regional and related newsletters, newspapers, magazines; place book with retail and library distributor(s); place book with major Internet booksellers; promote book to national chains.
Computer Violence Essay Research Paper Violent Computer
Computer Violence Essay, Research Paper Violent Computer Games A lot of adults say violent computer games make you violent. I disagree. When you are mad you can take out your anger while playing that game. Lots of kids I know have violent computer games and none of them are violent. Pretty much everything in this world has violence in it.