Content Structure:

The title of the movie is double-worded above the names of who produced and starred in the film in which this poster is advertising. Both of these texts are underneath the image and there is a hook included above the image. The title and names of people largely involved are underneath the image and hook in that the focus will first be captured by them without any prior bias. The color of the text is black and there is a white background. The image also similarly has an absence of any vibrant color. This color palette was used throughout in order to draw attention to the symbolism the image holds. The image included is an expression of terror with a door as a dividor between the two figures to show the separation between who is causing and receiving the sense of fear. This is also why the hook is put on the top; so that both color and word choices instill that sense of straight, chilling, horror but with layers beyond what the eyes can see.

 

Genre Structure:

The image is large and in the center of the space following the most commonly used and seen format throughout many forms of media to catch interest. 

 

Linguistic Structure:

The name of the movie is two words which makes it very brief. It includes the word “the” before an adjective which gives a title to a description and objectifies it. This shows how although the protagonist says very little throughout the film, his actions along with other non-verbal symbolism provides the audience with answers to mystery in silence. The objectification of the adjective shining also shows the sophistication in a plot that could be considered dull without complete attention much like the color palette of the poster mentioned in “content structure.”

 

Layout Structure:

The focus of this poster's layout is the image in the center of it which includes the two main characters of the film who are a couple. In this picture they are divided physically and the door that is the provider of that is being broken down. This shows how the gap between their insanity is becoming slimmer as Wendy begins to slip. This is why this specific scene was chosen. The expressions on both of their faces in this particular moment has branded the film in a way in that when people now see it over twenty years later they still think The Shining even without watching it in lots of time or ever. Jack’s smile in this image also plays a role in showcasing his pleasure in control over not only his wife, but the movie’s plot overall which grabs attention; an individual finding joy in terror. 

 

Rhetorical Structure:

As the title is noticed after seeing both the image and phrase, it is used by an individual in a natural attempt to figure out its purpose. The names of the actors are included in tiny print at the bottom because although they are figures in the industry and deserve recognition, too much attention at first is not what is desired. Font plays a large role in symbolism of the structure and theme through its boldness in some areas and thin form in others which contribute to the theme.

 

Navigation Sequence:

The focus of the viewer first is drawn to the middle of the poster to the image. Then, either up to the hook because it is above or below to the title because of its font size. Lastly, eyes are drawn downwards to those involved in the production process mainly through acting among other roles.

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Illocutionary and Perlocutionary:

Overall, the way in which the poster was constructed was illocutionary in the purposefulness behind the loud image in a quiet color palette. This gives so much volume to the poster in which it screams at anyone who sees it without any bright color to initially catch the eye. It allows whoever sees it to get lost in the intensity of it for a moment and transport them to a place in which they felt similar emotion without even thinking about it before. In terms of perlocutionary, the expressions and overall disheveled appearances of the two figures come across as crazy to both genders. This shows how in this moment they look equally insane despite the cause, factors, or even Jack’s grim smile. This shows further his overall control over Wendy, the environment, and therefore the viewer to the poster as well. 

Reflection:

I selected this specific piece because of the hold the movie it was made on has had on me since the first time I watched it and on cinema lovers for over two decades. Not only because of the phenomenal actors, Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, The Shining carries with it a level of sophistication and awe that surpasses time. This has given it the ability to live on and flourish despite the current generation much like Jack Torrance’s figure in the film. I went about conducting my analysis by first rewatching the film itself. While and after watching, I wrote down notes based on the framework of this first discourse analysis and main points in the plot/about characters. Finally, I pulled out important thoughts that related to each category of structure. In order to build the webpage as a whole, I used my creativity to include colors, images and designs that were pleasing to the eye in order for a viewer to want to continue reading. Through my page, I want to inspire and inform others on the neverending or lessening importance and role of discourse analysis on society as a whole. My analyses will only include five out of countless ways environments and societies are evolving and have an influence on those a part of them as well as the entire world in one way or another.