Codes and Connventions of Contents Pages

In media today, we looked at the codes and conventions of music magazine contents pages. We were given 5 magazine contents pages to compare and see what they all had in common. The codes and conventions of music magazine contents pages are;

• Date.
• Logo.
• Headings.
• Buzz words.
• Magazine title.
• Issue Number.
• Page numbers.
• One bigger image.
• Different size pictures.
• They have 2 to 3 columns.
• They usually use size 11 font.
• They have under 10 pictures.
• The font is usually easy on the eye.
• There are categories for the content.
• The pictures link to the stories inside.
• They have a line gap between each section.
• The story index has the same font throughout.
• The page numbers come before the story titles.
• The main image corresponds with the cover story.
• They have pictures that relate to the stories inside.
• Usually has the same colour scheme as the front cover.
• The pictures have captions and page numbers on them.
• The central image links to the main story of the band's music.
• They have the website and subscription on the contents page.
• They use different font and the word contents page is bigger than the rest.
• Notes from the editor about what is inside. It also welcomes new readers in the note.
• Below the pictures, they have some information about the story they represent.
• Credits to the photographer and credits to the photographer of the cover pictures.
• They have feature articles, regulars. There is usually 20 all together depending on the size of the magazine.
• In the list of contents, the page number always comes before the text, followed by a few words e.g. the artists name or an ambiguous texts to intrigue the reader in either bold or capitals, the average font size is 12/13 point.
• A sub line is after this, this tells you a more specific detail about the article, in a smaller and roman font (no bigger than 11 point).
• The masthead is the same as the front cover. They do this to reinforce the brand. Contents page is written within the masthead.
• Contact details; email, phone number, fax and address. They are found in the bottom right corner because it is the least important place on the page.