This master thesis discusses the linguistic and stylistic features in cover headlines of the Slovene edition of Cosmopolitan magazine. The examined monthly magazine is one of the commercial and popular magazines with their purpose to reach the highest sales possible and to bring profit to their publishing house. An important role in this plays the cover which is the first thing female readers encounter; therefore, it has to draw their attention and convince them into purchasing the magazine. Journalists use various captivating techniques, from the visual ones to the appropriate use of the language. The thesis aims to analyse the role of the primary function, the linguistic and stylistic features of 200 headlines on fifteen Cosmopolitan covers, and to research the function of headlines as a means of capturing the target audience’s attention. Through a linguistic analysis and a comprehensive interview with the editorial director it can be deduced that the main function of Cosmopolitan headlines is the addressing-acquiring one, since their purpose is to draw the readers’ attention. This is achieved through various means of captivation, including the stylistic markedness of the text. Most headlines are stylistically marked through typography, typology, syntax and the use of topicalities. It has been deduced that the typology of the headlines is quite diverse, since the number of headline units varies. Topicality is indicated by the frequent use of punctuation marks, signs and numbers, and the words are usually expressive, colloquial, borrowed and new. The language in stylistically marked headlines consists of idioms, epithets, metaphors and metonymies, which is also the language women use when communicating with their colleagues. The magazine connects with the readers through the strategies of pseudo-intimacy, since this kind of vocabulary attracts their attention.
|
