Contents Page Analysis

In all magazines there is a similarity between the front cover, contents page and the feature pages, this is to stick to a theme. When a magazine producer sticks to a theme people can see something and are quickly able to relate it to that particular magazine.

Codes & Conventions of a contents page:

·      Arranged in columns – 2/3

·      Will have a page number sometimes with a picture beside it, which anchors them to the written contents

·      The magazine name will feature t the top of the page

·      Normally have a simple colour scheme

·      A main picture relating to a cover article

·      Normally only covers 1-2 pages

·      Information about subscription to the magazine

·      Sub - lines 

This contents page follows the typical codes and conventions of what a contents page should include and look like. We first of all are able to notice that the contents page has been split into 3 columns. Unlike most contents pages this one doesn’t feature any pictures or illustrations.

The columns have also been split up into sections; Country Life, Features, Style, Food & Drink, Win. This has been done to allow people to easily identify a section that they may want to look at and quickly flick to it. Different shapes have been used around writing to highlight sections, which the editor wants to draw the reader’s attention too. One section of writing that they have placed in a big blue bubble is about the subscription to the magazine; a way of guaranteeing customers on a regular basis. 

I am unable to find anymore copies regional magazine contents pages and to buy any from shops is costly and I am therefore unable to; however all magazine contents pages are similar and follow the same codes and conventions. 

As I was unable to find any more copies of regional magazines I have found other copies of magazines that follow along the lines of the same codes and conventions. Here is a copy of ‘Marie Claire’ that is a women’s lifestyle magazine.

This magazine features one big main image down the right hand side of the page. On the left hand side of the magazine the writing has been split into 2 columns. These columns have then been split up into sections of different areas within the magazine.

Like most magazines this one has followed the code and convention of having the magazine title at the top of the page. They’ve also followed another code and convention, which is again including the issue number, a website address, the volume and month the magazine has been published.  Also this magazine has clearly stated at the top that it is a contents page by having the word ‘contents’ written in big letters at the top. 

This is a country life magazine that is similar to my regional magazine and the kind of features that I will include in my magazine.  

There are a number of images spread out over the page, one of a man called Phil who features in the running TV series of Escape to the Country. On this contents page I covered mainly by photos and has the page numbers and writing wrapped around this.

However; even though this is a real and published magazine; this contents page has only loosely followed the codes and conventions of the contents page.  There isn’t an issue number, month or date of the magazine, nor a title which are the most common features to include. 

This is a very simple layout for a contents page by this lifestyle magazine. The same as the previous contents page this one hasn’t included, a month or issue number. It has however included the title in block capitals at the top of the page.

The page numbers and the cover story titles are clearly laid out central down the middle of the page. There are no photographs on this page only small images that has been designed. This page has also broken the codes and convention rules by not using a consistent font throughout the page but, I think this works really well and the layout has been very carefully thought about and planned. 

This is an old school music magazine, which has been targeted at an older generation. The layout also screams at the audience that it is targeted at an older generation.

In the top left hand corner there is the title of the magazine that is clear, easy to read and simple for someone to identify. On the right hand top corner we can clearly see the title that it is a contents page. This magazine has closely followed the typical codes and conventions; it has the page numbers and the clear outline of what will be featured on that page.

Unusually this magazine has put the month issue date at the bottom of the page, which is a breaking of the typical codes and conventions.