A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis of the Front Cover in Selected Arab Women Magazines

Abstract

The present study examines the front cover of selected Arab women's magazines from a multimodal critical discourse analysis perspective. Tools of the analysis found in Kress & van Leeuwen (2006) and Machine &Mayr (2012) are used to identify the thematic and semiotic aspects in 30 front covers from Zahrat Al Khaleejزهرة الخليج and Sayidaty سيدتي. It shows that these magazines are relatively similar in the number of headlines and the kinds of visual elements, but they are considerably different in headlines' content and themes. The magazines, ideologically, look for creating modality to convince readers and viewers with the covers' stories. Women are presented individually with headlines carrying their names and comments. Visuals, like color, font, shot, distance, and others are used relatively differently to convey a particular discourse that is completely paradoxical to the social norms, the actual image of Arab women, and their problems, needs, and aspirations.