Annabelle Penchishen 

Comm 100N

Professor Nichols 

14 July 2022

Cosmopolitan vs Essence

    Cosmopolitan and Essence magazine are two of the biggest women’s fashion magazines in the world. While both publications highlight the world of women through beauty, fashion, and entertainment they both have different audiences that set them apart. Both magazines effectively connect to their applied audiences allowing them to succeed in conveying their messages. Magazines like Cosmopolitan and Essence use certain messages and advertising to reach their applied audience.  Cosmopolitan and Essence both effectively convey the message about the lives of women through fashion, sex, and celebrity spotlights although both publications have their own implied audiences causing both outlets to present different materials due to the different demographics that are attracted to each magazine. 

    In both Essence and Cosmopolitan many ideas of fashion, beauty, and entertainment are covered throughout the magazines. Both magazines effectively cover the information they are trying to portray. This information is covered throughout many different outlets, including advertisements, celebrity spotlights, and personal stories. The two magazines start off strong by portraying what will be discussed on the cover of the magazine, this helps the audience to engage and understand the information being covered. The advertisements and columns work together to fully explain what is being covered in this magazine and how readers can understand what is being covered in this magazine. While these magazines effectively cover fashion and beauty there is major slant in the coverage of both fashion publications. 

    The detection of slant is highly prevalent in both magazines especially Essence magazine. Essence slants the magazine towards the audience of African American women, this is shown through the articles devoted directly to African American women. For an example there is an article that talks about supporting black businesses, this article also provides vendors that support African American women. Essence also includes many advertisements that are suited for African American women, one advertisement in particular is called Kinky-Curly this product is dedicated to curly hair and an African American model is on the headline for this advertisement. There are many differences between Essence and Cosmopolitan due to the content they are portraying to influence their intended audiences.

    The biggest difference between Essence and Cosmopolitan is the coverage in each magazine, which is intended to persuade both intended audiences. Essence is completely devoted to targeting the African American community, this is seen through the many advertisements, celebrity influence, and the beauty tips directed towards that community. In Cosmopolitan the magazine is directed towards a wider audience; any ethnic group could pick up this magazine and relate to the content. Cosmopolitan does have more of a mainstream audience but they have many articles and advertisements that include models of different ethnic backgrounds. While both publications differ they also share many similarities.

    Both publications highlight fashion and beauty for women around the ages of 18-49. Both magazines include self care advertisements like Secret deodorant, the only difference is the model in the advertisement is different. They both include romance tips and your summer horoscope, all things women enjoy to read. The articles include similar content, but the biggest difference is the fact that the content relates to the targeted audience of the different magazines. Essence magazine also uses different language and advertisements to relate to its targeted audience.

    In Essence different slang and advertisements are used throughout the magazine to better connect with the target audience. In this publication the phrases “fly” and “black girl power” are used a lot throughout this publication, these phrases are used to grab the reader’s attention and to better connect with them by using slang. In this publication there are a lot of powering motivational headlines that draw the reader in. The advertisements in Essence are used to buy the readers, advisers do this by deeply connecting with the targeted audience. In Essence many products that are directed towards African American women are promoted, like skin care and hair care that highlights an African American demonstrating the product, this reaches the intended audience by allowing them to be influenced by the product and the model that could result in them buying the product. Many advertisers do this to in a sense buy the reader, this is also seen in the magazine, Cosmopolitan. 

    Cosmopolitan magazine uses many different languages and advertisements  to reach their targeted audience. The publication uses many powerful phrases like “your queens have arrived” and “living your best life” ; these phrases help promote a positive influence on the targeted audience. The advertisements in this article are all portrayed by mostly white models, some of the other advertisements are promoted by influencers, like one in particular highlights products that are used by the influencer Chloe Bailey. The advisers use influencers to make the reader feel one of two ways, either they feel more connected to this influencer or they feel like they might be able to become an influencer by purchasing these products. The different visuals and text that appear help appeal to each target audience.

    The different visuals and texts used throughout the publications reflected the different targeted audiences. In Essence more visuals of African American women were used and visuals of products and festivals directed towards African American women were portrayed. The text in Essence grabbed the audience’s attention by using bright bold colors like gold and hot pink, they also highlight the importance of black power in the work field and in the entertainment field. In Cosmopolitan more visuals of white women in fancier clothes and more visuals of food are used to relate to the mainstream population. Colors like red and black are used to capture the reader’s attention. The editors of both magazines use these tactics to relate to the target audiences found in both media kits.

    Both advertisement kits provide important information on the targeted audiences. Essence provides that thirty one million readers are African American women and that 37% are from the age range of 18-34. Cosmopolitan provides that 50% of readers are white readers with the majority of readers being in the age range of 18-49. This information shows that Essence contains a more diverse ethnic audience while Cosmopolitan contains a more mainstream audience. This is significant because it provides the reasoning behind the information being presented in the publications, for example the articles in Essence are mainly directed to African American women through fashion and entertainment. The advertisement kits provide the information on why the two magazines both focus on fashion and entertainment but why one is directed towards African American women and why the other one is focused on a more mainstream audience. These differences exist because they are representing the material due to the audiences that are reading them. 

    I felt that reading Essence was not targeted towards me due to the fact that I am not African American. I state this because I am fascinated by the black population and their beauty styles but personally I do not have the hair type that is advertised in the media. I learned that I enjoy reading about black empowerment and the different fashion trends that are presented in Essence. This assignment has impacted my knowledge of ethnic groups and I am so happy I had the opportunity to learn more about different cultures. 

    The June articles of Essence and Cosmopolitan both highlight fashion, entertainment, and celebrity influence although they vastly differ due to the way the information is portrayed. Essence portrays fashion and entertainment by addressing African American beauty and fashion due to the fact that the targeted audience is African American. Cosmopolitan portrays fashion and entertainment by presenting it as a wider community due to the fact that they have a more mainstream audience. Both publications have provided information that benefits the social wellbeing of women across the world. “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” (Rachel Zoe)

Works Cited

Cosmopolitan Hardcopy magazine

Essence Hardcopy magazine

https://www.cosmopolitan.com

https://www.essence.com

On July 7, 2022 I had my first writing session at the Learning Center. I showed Olivia, my tutor my Critical Reading Assignment. I read my paper out loud and we discussed what things were needed to make my paper the best it could be. The most important thing we worked on was my thesis statement. I learned how to make a compressive thesis statement that contained all the necessary information. Towards the end of my session we discussed the next steps for my paper, which included a way to make my paragraphs more cohesive.

My time at the Learning center was well spent, I enjoyed my tutor she was very helpful! I enjoyed going to the Learning Center because I found it very beneficial, my tutor helped me the best way she could through constructive criticism. I will definitely be going back to the Learning Center because I got so much good out of going their and meeting with a writing tutor.  I highly recommend anyone that needs help with an essay or just wants someone to look it over it that they go to the Learning Center. I hope this information was helpful and that you decide to go to the Learning Center!

Tunnel under the Pattee and Paterno library

On July 14, 2022 I had the opportunity to visit the library at Penn State! I toured the facility and I learned about the different study rooms and resource I could use. I had an amazing lecture from Georgette Nicolosi, she discussed the ways I could do research on the library website. I learned that I could find many databases and research websites like Google Scholar and Communication and Mass Media Complete.

Back entrance of the Pattee and Paterno library

The Boucke building, were the Learning Center is.These two databases can help me with my two upcoming cases studies! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to learn this at the library. I highly recommend going to the library for many different resources like renting books and doing research.

Box Office: ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Sparks Meme Frenzy Among Young Males 

    Minions: The Rise of Gru, an animated children’s movie, has gone viral on TikTok. The meme #GentleMinions has gained a lot of strength with young male Generation Z’ers. Many young men are showing up to the movies wearing suits and ties to embellish the main character, Gru. Research shows that the opening weekend audience was between ages 13 and 17. The movie is said to have made pandemic-era history with a huge debut of $125 million for the long holiday weekend. (Thehollywoodreporter) This article is from The Hollywood Reporter and it was posted on July 4, 2022.

    I personally believe this viral trend is a good thing in many different ways. First it helps change the intended audience of the movie, being a children’s movie whose audience is between the ages of 5-12 it has drastically changed from now being between ages 13-17. I find this very interesting because not only are they making money off who they thought would be the intended audience they are now making money off a new intended audience. I think this trend is a good thing because it gives young adults something different and fun to do. While these young adults are focusing on fun TikTok trends they are more likely to stray away from bad trends like drugs and alcohol. 

    This trend has positively  helped the box office industry after the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic the box office was crushed, no one was going to the theaters anymore even months after the pandemic lightened. Movies like this one have brought reality back to the movies, this viral trend has created hope for the future of the box office industry. This viral trend has brought young adults back into the theatre and has allowed the box office industry to soar, and create hope for more upcoming films. Social media platforms like TikTok have the access to promote many different products without the intent for that.

    As this viral trend continues I am glad that hope is brought back to the movie industry. This Tiktok trend has strengthened the hope for young adults to still act like children and stray away from drugs and alcohol. Movies like Minions: The Rise of Gru help strengthen the community of both children and young adults. This viral trend has brought a lot of insight to young adults and their interests. This trend has helped me personally understand an audience and their many different interests.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/minions-rise-of-gru-meme-gentleminions-1235175207/https://clipartix.com/minion-clipart-image-53989/

On June 27, 2022 I started my journey here at Penn State University. Today was the day it all began, I moved into my dorm in Stuart Hall. I met my roommate who I get along with so well! I learned my way around campus and I went shopping at the bookstore. I spent my day getting use to living in a dorm and unpacking.

That night I got dinner and I went out to the Hub lawn to meet new people. I met a group of girls, we went downtown and got cookies! I am so glad I met those girls they are super nice! Since then we having been hanging out and taking fitness classes! I am super excited that was the way I spent my first week!

That weekend I went on vacation with my family to Kiawah Island. I had so much fun hanging out with my family, I missed them so much. I got to go to the beach and go shopping, it was a nice break from reality. Now I am back at State College and I super happy to start my classes and learn new things!

Secret Deodorant Sample Ad Analysis 

This advertisement comes from an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. The target audience is women between the ages of 18-34. This magazine relates to female women who are interested in the glamorous successful lifestyle of a woman. The magazine contains articles about careers, fashion, and relationships. Many women read this magazine to keep updated on the latest beauty trends and relationship advice.

This Secret advertisement appeals to the women in this target audience by addressing a way to bring a clean and fresh scent to a woman’s body. The appearance of women and how they smell is a great concern in American society, and women are consistently looking for products that can help keep them clean and fresh. This ad seeks to appeal to women through the use of bold words to get their point across. They make women believe they need this certain deodorant to smell fresh and clean. They use a picture of a young beautiful woman to show how if you use this deodorant you will be happy and beautiful like the woman in the ad. Implicit messages for this ad include promising a woman happiness, beauty, and cleanliness.

The graphics contain a strong appeal of pathos. The main idea of the ad is the beautiful woman pictured in the center of the advertisement. The woman has tan skin and a beautiful smile, she also is pictured lodging up her underarm which is smooth. Having this model on the ad creates an emotional appeal that makes the audience feel like if they use this product that could lead to physical beauty. The model also appears fresh and clean, they use pathos to represent her this way, in this sense the audience will want to buy this product so that they can be fresh and clean. 

The text in this ad represents the feeling of freshness and cleanliness. Many different types of words spell out Fresh in huge letters, some words include ph balancing minerals, dry spray, and invisible spray. They use these words to help promote the product by saying all the important characteristics about the product. The ad uses logos by the language being portrayed in the text. The ad uses phrases 48 hour protection and helps eliminate odor to portray the facts about the product. The ad uses the huge letters and phrases to portray the logical facts about this product, which convinces the audience to buy this product. They use this logic to portray what could possibly happen if women use this product.

This Secret ad emphasizes the importance of both physical beauty and cleanliness in American culture. This ad tells the audience that both physical beauty and cleanliness are the only ways women in America are supposed to be. For example the ad emphasizes being clean and fresh. It also highlights a model who represents beauty with a perfect smile, smooth skin, and long curly hair. This ad promotes deodorant by promising a beautiful and clean life. They use these qualities of a woman to promote this product and to make women think that if they use this product they will have beauty like this model. This is very corrupt because it advertises false beauty into the world. 

Another main appeal in this ad is an ethical appeal, they make the model look very clean and smooth by making her skin glowly. This represents an ethical appeal because it shows the audience that it is reliable. Analyzing this ad it seems like the product is reliable but how can the audience be sure it is reliable. The audience may believe this ad to be true based on the way the model is presented, through her glowly clean skin, her huge smile, and her overall appearance. 

This ad targets women who are interested in physical beauty and good hygiene, the ad uses physical text to portray logos, the ad uses the emotions of women to portray pathos, and they use the model to represent logos. The ad uses the audience’s beliefs to sell deodorant, they know how women feel about beauty and cleanliness and use it to their best advantage. The advertisers know their target audience and do their best to promote the product they are selling. Advertisers use rhetorical appeals to not only sell their product but to persuade the customer. 

I look forward to these three things the most, creating new friends with my peers, going to Beaver stadium to watch the football games, and getting involved with the many different clubs and activities around campus.

I am most anxious about these three things the most, managing my daily course work, missing my family and feeling homesick, and handling my own financial responsibilities.

Now that I am in college, thinking back to my high school days, I know I need to try harder at these three things, I need to find a better effective way to study. I need to try harder at balancing my work schedule wand my social schedule. I also need to try harder at taking more effective notes.

I really want to get involved in these three things, joining a sorority, joining clubs that involve around my major, and participating in fitness classes.

I have set the following three goals for myself throughout my college experience. My goal for my first semester is to build myself a schedule that effectively keeps me on track of all my work. My goal for my first year is to keep a decent gpa and give my hundred percent effort in all my classes. My goal for my first year is also to meet new people and join some clubs and organizations. My goal for my fourth year self is to finish my work and prepare for my future career, I hope to have many internships. My goal for my fourth year is to participate in the Hollywood program in the college of Communications.

I will work to achieve these goals: Annabelle Penchishen

Date: 7/2/22

I have shared these goals with the following people: My parents and my friends who push me to my full potential.