Codes and Conventions-

Front covers of Magazines

Masthead

At the top of the page. Largest writing on the page. Allows target audience to gain an understanding of what genre the

magazine is. It’s font isn’t used anywhere else. Sometimes will overlap or underlap the main image.

Main image

Usually a medium close-up. Direct emotive address which makes it look like whoever the main

image is, they are looking directly at the reader. Relevant to a specific article.

Cover Lines

They give specific information towards more interesting/exciting articles to gain the reader’s attention.

Primarily to the side of the page and the main image. One main cover line that links specifically to the main image. Usually

larger font than other cover lines so it stands out on the page.

Colour Scheme

Specific colour scheme always used. Simplistic colours- doesn’t take attention away from the main image. The background is usually a singular block colour (simplistic) so more

focus is towards the main image. Same colours used for masthead and cover lines.

Banners

Used to highlight significant or interesting information about the magazine.

At the top of the page above the masthead.

Font

The font used for the masthead isn’t used anywhere else. The font for the cover lines is simple and basic.

Splash/Puff

Primarily used to either highlight a key piece of information or to show off an incentive (free gift).

Sub-images

Sub-images are used as a way of allowing the reader to see what the cover line is about.

Usually images of well-known people/celebrities to help intrigue the target audience to want to read the magazine.

Incentives

These are free gifts that are in the magazine as a way of trying to persuade people to buy the magazine.

Usually has relevance to a key article within the magazine.

Mise-en-scene

Relevant to genre of magazine. The facial expression must match the genre for the magazine as

should the clothing used for the main image.

Positioning Statement

This tells you about the magazine place in the market. This also helps to give people a better understanding of what type of

magazine it is.

Quotes

These are usually from the artist(s) that are the main image to ignite another point of interest to try and persuade the audience to read the article it is from.

Buzz words

These are used to help attract the audience. E.g. “plus” – it is a way of persuading people to want to read the

magazine as it emphasises exclusive content.

Barcode/Price/Date/Issue

These are printed onto the page using small font so they are out of the way and don’t derive attention away from the main image.

The barcode is made small and in the bottom corner of the page.

Musical Iconography

The images contain musical iconography which has connotations towards the genre of the magazine.

Usually instruments etc.