The Big Issue Assessment
Source C shows four politicians’ heads on the bodies of the members of the group Abba. The words are
taken from famous Abba songs. The issue was published before the British referendum on remaining in or
leaving the European Union. From left to right, the politicians are: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister,
David Cameron, Britain’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, both prominent Leave
campaigners.
Analyse why The Big Issue magazine has used an intertextual approach to the
referendum on its front cover.
In your answer you must:
- Analyse the use of intertextuality to create meaning in the source
- Make judgments and reach a conclusion about the advantages of this use of intertextuality to The Big Issue magazine.
Powerpoint
The Headline
- Decision time refers to the topical EU referendum taking place, it has a lot of news value outlined by Galtung and Ruge.
- Use of intertextuality with ‘the winner takes it all’ referencing the ABBA song of the same name.
- The relationship between the title and the image links ‘the winner’ to one of the four figures.
Images
- Use of the glitter ball suggests that the vote has become a farce and is therefore presented as ‘light’ hearted. Links with the idea that the vote will have a global effect.
- Images of the four leaders David Cameron, Nicola Sturgeon, Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson are mocked with unflattering images superimposed upon ABBA’s bodies.
- Inclusion of ballot box allows for ease of comprehension, it is about the EU vote.
Speech Bubbles
- Nicola Sturgeon - “Breaking up is never easy, I know.” could relate to the previous referendum Scotland had to decide to leave the UK. She failed in her bid.
- David Cameron - “Knowing me, knowing EU” using the pun to highlight Cameron’s preference to stay in the EU. He called the referendum and is therefore present as quite confident in staying.
- Boris Johnson - “This time we’re through” implies Boris appears to treat the relationship with the EU as a personal and immature romantic relationship. The Big Issue appears to present mock him in this way, especially with the comical face they have selected to use.
- Nigel Farage - “Take a chance…” Farage here appears to be almost maniacal with the use of the image, his speech refers directly to the risk involved in ‘taking a chance’. His expression however, suggests The Big Issue is presenting him as crazed implying his ideas are risky.
- Perspective
- The Big Issue appears to present the Brexit referendum as a farce and have chosen the band ABBA to mock the leading political opponents as they jostle for public opinion. Each leader has been superimposed onto an ABBA body from which a song lyric from various ABBA songs that relate directly to the person’s opinion on the vote.
- The band ABBA won Eurovision which could suggest why the they had been chosen to present the decision to leave the EU in this way. The use of intertextuality therefore presents the Brexit vote as almost as meaningless and farcical as the Eurovision song contest.