Reading Meaning Through Semiotics: A Visual Discourse Analysis of Selected Cover Pages of the Tell Magazine

Abstract

This study explicates on the semiotics of visual discourse analysis of selected cover pages of The TELL Magazine. Three cover pages were analysed via the models of Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006) Visual Grammar. The study examines how semiotic resources displayed on the selected covers, such as colours, images and figurative expressions expound on meaning possibilities. It was found that the magazine covers consist opulent semiotic resources which portray meaning making on the aspects of economy, state of the nation and politics in Nigeria. The study further explains how colours and imageries found on the selected cover pages carry meaning potentialities like the written texts. Visually and symbolically talking, the semiotic elements displayed on the magazine covers were used to either criticise or support the Buhari led government in one way or the other regarding policies economy, state of the nation and politics in Nigeria.