Editors Letter Analysis

Easy Living – Editor’s letter (September 2012)

Easy living magazine is targeted for middle aged women aged between 30-55. The magazine also covers a lot of areas which will help attract a wide ranged audience. The editor of the magazine starts of the magazine with ‘Welcome’, this is in big and bold letters which makes it stand out on the page and it attracts readers into wanting to read the note. Using an explanation mark also gives it a much happier tone which will make readers feel welcome.

As well as the title you have the continuous use of the word ‘your’ which is making the note personal and it involves the readers more, this forms a relationship between the editor and reader which will make the reader  feel wanted, which will make them read on.

Also the editor Deborah uses rhetorical questions directing them to her audience, this will make the readers think and answer the questions mentally in their heads. This is a good way of trying to interact with an audience as it will engage them into the text. The editor also tries to create this comfortable atmosphere as if the editor and reader are good friends. This is seen when the editor says ‘which our brilliant team has edited down for you’. This also makes it personal as it’s as if the editor chose out things especially for the readers so by doing that she would have taken into consideration what the readers like to wear.

Also looking at the Deborah as she also states that she’s 37, she fits in with the target audience she’s trying to reach towards. By having someone which fits within the target audience the readers are able to relate to her thoughts and ideas she shares in her note.

FHM - Editor’s letter (May 2012)

FHM is a men’s magazine with a target audience from ages 18-35, so the editor will want to write in a way to engage the readers. He starts of with a personal statement ‘I was almost never hired by FHM.’ This is an introduction to a little story he shares with his readers, this makes the readers feel more involved in his personal life which will interest them. As he recites a story this allows the reader to see what sort of person and they are able to go on a journey with him through everything that happened.

The editor swears using the word ‘shit’ and ‘dickhead’ to express his opinion this makes it seem as if the editor is comfortable around the audience to swear and it’s also used knowing the target audience are adults. Its also very informal and this sort of language is something you would use around a friend, so this allows the editor and reader to form a friendship. 

He also uses informal language when saying ‘thanks’ towards the end of his letter which is something again you would send to your friend. With this letter using this informal language will make the reader feel more welcome and this will make them want to read on.

 He also refers to the men as ‘gentlemen’ and closes of the letter by saying ‘it’s been an honor to serve you’ which gives them a positive representation and it also contrast to the use of informal language before, as this is formal and much more professional. It could suggest that the editor sees these men that read the magazine as friends but also treats them with respect emphasizing that they are powerful men.