Analysing The Big Issue: EU Referendum editon

Analyse why The Big Issue magazine has used an intertextual approach to the referendum on its front cover.

This edition of The Big Issue represents the EU referendum as well as the intertextuality through the form of the Swedish band, ABBA. ABBA has been used in this to represent David Cameron, Nicola Sturgeon, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage. Also lyrics from the songs have been used and adapted, for example, 'Knowing me knowing you', as changed to, 'Knowing me knowing EU'. This represents the intertextuality of the use of certain sing lyrics. 

Also the Politian's heads have been placed onto the bodies of people in 70's disco clothing to again represent ABBA. Around the main visual images, there are little images to grab the readers attention and make them think about what the magazine is trying to indicate to them. For example, the ballot box is there to show the voting. Also there us a disco ball the represent them theme of 70's disco pop music but with the world on. The U.K has also been lined up in the middle of the globe for the viewers sake. On the left of the masthead is a voting slip to try and encourage the readers to vote for who they had wanted to win, after all, 'The winner takes it all'. 

The front cover also uses complimenting colours to perhaps engage the reader into taking a further look into the content of the magazine. Also the font used is large and bold to also grab the readers attention about the election.

Also, the pictures used are not just normal photos but are funny photos to add humour for the audience as well as the intertextuality of ABBA. We see that two of the male faces (Boris Johnson and David Cameron) have been put onto female bodies and Nicola Sturgeon has been out onto a male body. This could show the audience that there is a lack of 'masculinity' throughout the referendum. Sturgeon being put onto a male body could also show that she is equivalent to the males in the picture.

The heading on the front in an ABBA song, 'The Winner Takes It All', which ties into the intertextuality of the front cover. The expressions of each person is different and could show a different expression or feeling towards Brexit and the referendum. For example, David Cameron is seen to be quite stern and surprised which could express his views on the election being made. However, all of the faces are presented in a comical way which could show the audience a more fun way of presented an election. 

All of the writing shown is in a black and white theme to add to the traditional black and white if the masthead. The speech bubbles create the effect of being able to see what the Politian's are thinking in general an about the situation.

Overall, the colours contrast well together and match the outfits shown. Also the lyrics and 70's theme tie into the intertextuality of ABBA being used in this context.