Contents Page

Analysis

By Beth Upchurch

Codes & Conventions of a Contents Page…

• Conventionally set out layout with the columns at the side

• Masthead included at the top along with ‘Contents’ to allow the readers to understand what page they are on & what magazine they are reading

Codes & Conventions cont…

• Each section of the magazine is under a certain section, some are in ‘Features’ and some are in ‘Women in music’ this makes it easier to find the specific pages and navigate through the magazine.

• Underneath each main page title there is a little bit of extra information explaining what else is included on that page, this is great as it saves you having to go and find the page to then decide if you want to read it straight away.

Codes & Conventions of a Contents Page

cont…• There is one main

image and then usually a secondary image which is smaller somewhere else on the page

• All of the pictures are anchored with a number so that you can easily find the page they are featured on

Codes & Conventions of a Contents Page

cont…• At the top of the page

there is the mag issue number & the date of the magazine with also social media links

• The same colour scheme is used for the contents page as well as the front cover

• The biggest text is the word ‘Contents’ so people clearly know what page they are viewing

Codes & Conventions of a Contents Page

cont…• There is an editors note on

most contents pages which introduces the magazine and guides the readers to the top stories

• Here there is some advertising which is usually featured somewhere on the contents page to get readers to subscribe to the magazine & go online for more information on the magazine, to gain as many people online as people are tending to go online and look at magazines rather than buying a copy from a shop

Conventions of Indie Pop contents

• Instead of the word ‘contents’ there is ‘inside this week’ which is a clear difference to other genres

• More use of images around the page which are different sizes and are all anchored so easy to navigate through the magazine

Conventions of Indie Pop contents

• Quite a plain & simple layout to the contents page which makes it simple yet effective as the pictures make up for the white background

• Listing to the additional pages in the magazine

Audience Research“What is important on a contents page?”

• “It’s important to have what you’ve featured on the cover clearly listed on the contents page so that you can make a clear link with the front cover and navigate your way through the magazine, also where the posters pages are (only reason I buy magazines!) – Kirsty McMachan

• It’s important to have main features each week to show a clear structure & layout to the magazine! – Hannah Upchurch

• “It’s important to have page numbers for most of the pages and all of the sections so that you can easily find your way through the magazine quickly & efficiently” – Chloe Surridge

• It’s important to have an editors note on your contents page especially as it’s the first addition so you need to introduce yourself to the target audience, it’s also important to have some pictures as one of the main conventions of a contents page are that pictures are included” – Emma Saunders

Ideas for pictures to be included on the contents

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Ideas for pictures to be included on the contents

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