Branding The contents page doesn’t follow the convention of contents pages by not having the masthead present on the contents page. Instead it opts for a simple bit of text with the name to serve as a mental reminder to its audience about which magazine they’re reading. This text can be found in two places: one just below the main contents title and one at the bottom of the page, which is a conventional feature for magazine pages to have the name at the bottom. This is commonly done so that if the page were taken out of the magazine or a picture taken of the page and spread around then there would still be a way for readers to identify the magazine.

Images The images used are not images that relate to the feature article, which goes against the conventions I have found that are commonly used on contents pages. The images all are positioned down the left hand side and this feature works well for the page. This has been done so it catches the readers attrition as people read from the left and the images are down the left so they are the first thing the reader will see when they look at the page. They also have only used a few images, which is stereotypical feature for contents pages and additionally they have included page numbers on each image again matches traditionally contents pages.

Subscription information One important convention missing is the area for subscription info. The reason for it missing is most likely due to the maturity and class of the magazine to not include one as it seems quite insulting to be asking for more money on the second page of the magazine. This feature will most likely be somewhere in the magazine later on, in a more appropriate area of the magazine.

Rolling Stone Contents Page Analysis

Features The features is a very traditional feature and almost all magazines have one in some way. Rolling stone magazine have used it to indicate the type of topics the magazine will cover and set out its target audience. As the magazine focuses heavily on in-depth articles and important articles it is shown by the size left for the feature articles. It also shows that the target audience is a very mature one with focus on issues such a drug use, death, banking, and classic rock stars.

Language The language used in a contents page sets the tone for the magazine and it’s important to set out the right impression after capturing the reader’s attention through the cover page. In this magazine it uses very mature language with no slang used. The language clearly targets a mature audience.

Regulars The regulars section in this contents page is called “Departments”. This section is used to show all the areas of topics covered. Rolling Stone magazine use t in a similar way but in a less major way by only showing what page number the section starts.

Additional information This magazine and similar also include additional information at the bottom of the page. This is done as too include use bits of information for people looking for information such as what’s on the cover and who took the photo and who styled it. This has been used to great effect.