Topic: Feature Article for Teen Magazine
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 baIDest 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
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.
