Conventions of a Magazine

Selling LineAdds extra interest for the reader.

Main picture We know that this picture will relate to the main article because it dominates the whole of the page.

BannerExplains the magazine name to the reader and also informs of the issue number. Also includes the date to show the reader that it is the latest edition of the magazine.

MastheadLarge and noticeable enough for the reader to see and know the name of the magazine. Sometimes covered by the main picture but still recognisable because it is a big name. Always stays the same from magazine to magazine creating a house style of magazines.

Graphic featureInterest the reader with a visual clue to what is in the magazine.

PlugPromotes an article to a reader by saying the article or content is only available in that magazine, making the consumer want to buy it.

BarcodeDisplays the price, issue number and of course barcode. Usually found in the right hand corner so it doesn’t block the main image.

HeadlineBold enough to attract the reader’s attention and informs then on the main article of the magazine

AnchorageGives a very brief over view of what will be in the main article

CoverlinesAdds interest for the reader as it shows more content that is included in the magazine

BuzzwordsUsed to include the reader and make them feel excited or special

Masthead:The masthead appeals to the target audience because it is bright pink that it associated with young teen girls. It is also in a cool, doodle like font that will be familiar to the audience and will associate the magazine with being cool. Main Picture:

The model or ‘celebrity’ in the main image represents a young woman who is carefree and having fun doing the job she loves. This relates to the target audience as she is the kind of person that the girls that read the magazine want to be.

Headline:The headline is bright drawing the reader in. It is also the same colours of the masthead, tying the whole magazine colours scheme together and again associating with the audience.

Kickers and graphic featuresThere are more kickers and graphic features in this magazine as to pull the reader of a young teen target audience, there needs to be more quick fired information to quickly engage their attention. The celebrities on the cover represent the pop music that the magazine is known for but also that they are happy and having fun which inspires the audience. This differs from a magazine with an older target audience as it would be too crowded because their attention does not need to be caught so quickly and continuously.

Buzz Words

Rule of Thirds

The model’s eye line sits on the first horizontal third because it is naturally where the human eye focuses on when someone is speaking

Anchorage

Masthead

Banner

Barcode

HeadlineNot in the lower thirds as now the magazine is balance and doesn’t look cluttered.

Buzz words

KickersA short phase that introduces other articles . They can also be used to identify regular features. Usually found in the 1st and 3rd columns of thirds so the main image is central for attention.

Kickers

Subscription boxAdvertises offers for the magazine subscription so the reader will by the subscription and therefore more copies. Usually thing on the page, leaving the reader something to think about.

DateInforms the reader that it is the most recent issue. Usually found on the banner.

Page NumberBold enough for the reader to easily navigate around the magazine to find the image and article

Main Article and ImageThe main article image in usually the biggest and in the middle or right hand of the page. It gives the reader most of an indication of what will be in the ain article. Underneath is a brief introduction of what is in the article to entice the reader more.

MastheadContains the same title and content every week (this is their house style) and highlights that this is where you will find the contents. Bold enough for a title and to be seen straight away.

The Colour SchemeThe colour scheme fits with the target of sophisticated people and the colour are not too bright but stick to black, white and blue as these are sophisticated colours.

Pull QuoteFound below the picture, it is in a large font size to pull the reader into reader the article to explain what the quote is about.

List of ContentsA short list of other stories in the magazine and what page to find them on.

Note from the EditorGives a brief outline of the features in the magazine. Has a personal message to the reader and the states a topic for the reader to think about, sometimes a topic that has something loosely to do with the contents of the magazine.

List of contents

Graphic features

Subscription Box

Buzz Words

Banner: Date, title , issue number

Page Numbers and Band NamesQuickly informs the reader of where to find the feature on their favourite band.

Colour SchemeGenerally dark to suit with the rock/metal music that the magazine covers. Some bright colours are used to draw attention.

Banner

Graphic features

Page Numbers

Buzz Words and personal pronounsMakes the reader think that the writer is talking directly to them and will give them what they want to know

Colour SchemeBright, ‘feminine’ colour so that the contents page is attract and keeps the interest of the young teen girls