CONTENTS PAGE OF A MAGAZINE

MASTHEAD

The masthead is the name of the magazine. This is included in the contents because it is a brand name and should be shown on important parts of the magazine. Every magazine will have the masthead on their contents page.

MAIN IMAGES

Main images are used on almost every magazine contents page. There will usually be about 4/5 images on the contents page. These pictures will connote the articles inside. They will usually have page numbers next to them, or a caption underneath to tell you why the image is there and what it is about.

PAGE NUMBERS

Page numbers will be on every contents page of every magazine. These are to show you where the articles are in the magazine. On the magazine it will never say ‘page one’ or ‘p1’ it will always just have the number. The number will also be in a different colour or different font. This is to make it stand out and catch the eye of the reader so they will look at what is inside the magazine.

CONTENTS SPLIT INTO SECTIONS

This is very popular in many magazines. The contents may be split up into different sections to show the different areas of the magazine. For example on this NME page there is ‘News, radar, reviews, live! And features’. They do this because it is easier for the reader to see what is there and therefore pick out what they want to read about. The subtitles used in splitting the contents up will always be in a different colour or font. To the rest of the article This it to make the titles stand out to the reader so they will read what is in the magazine.

MAIN STORY LINE

Contents pages usually include a main story line. This is used to give the reader a feel of what the inside of the magazine will be like. It will be about a paragraph or two and will relate to the main images on the contents page. Not all magazines do this but it is a great way to get the audience interested in the rest of the magazine.

BUZZ WORDS

Buzz words such as ‘plus’ and ‘also’ are used of magazine covers and contents pages to grab the readers attention. These buzz words are usually in a different colour or font. This is to get the readers attention and catch there eye.