The number one priority of a contents page is to help the reader to navigate through the magazine with ease. This is why there are several sub headings ('Band Index', ' News', 'Radar', 'Reviews' etc.) these help the reader to find a particular type of article. Page numbers are also placed immediately before or after the article title so that the reader can navigate to the page without having to flick through the whole magazine.

For the more visual readers, images are used to help direct them towards main articles. The article title and page number are usually placed along side or layered on top of the image to ease navigation.

The sans serif text font in the contents page is the same font that's used on the front cover. This creates a consistent house style that the audience will become familiar with, and associate the magazine with.

The main colours seen on this page are red, black and yellow. These colours fit with the lively theme of the magazine, keeping up a house style. Colour is also used to highlight main articles and/or bonus features. E.g. Larger, bolder fonts are also used to highlight main articles and/or bonus features.

The contents page is ideal for advertisers because almost all readers refer to it, meaning readers will see the adverts. This is the most likely reason for 'NME' to have put the subscription ad on the contents page.

'NME' has kept the exact same layout for their contents page for most issues, creating a house style the audience relate to the magazine.

The sophisticated layout of 'Q' magazines contents page keeps in context with the style of the front cover, creating a recognisable house style. The use of red relates to the masthead on the front cover, and the font in the contents is also the same as the font on the front cover, creating an even more definitive house style.

Similarly to the 'NME' contents page, 'Q' use subheadings to make navigation easier for the reader. However, there are not as many subheadings. This may be to keep with the sophisticated and simplistic house style seen on the front cover. Subheadings are highlighted with red and are in a larger font to help direct the reader to specific types of articles. The ‘Oasis Special’ section is written in gold, letting the reader know that this is an almost royal opportunity to read about Oasis.

Beside each article title is the page number, making it easier for the reader to find the article.

The large images of artists will help navigate the more visual reader to specific articles. By putting the article title layered on top of the image, the reader is able to see who the artist is, and a pull quote from

the article will lure in the reader.

The magazine website is seen on the top right hand side of the contents. It is likely that the website was put on the front cover because it will be seen by most readers as the contents page is frequently referred to by the reader.

‘Rock sound’ have presented their contents page over two pages (one page, back and front). I personally don’t like how they have split the pages up, and think it would look better as a double page spread.

The contents is set out In columns. There are several subheadings (‘Main Features’, ‘Features’ etc.) easing navigation for the reader. There are then article titles with a short description underneath, giving the gist of what the article is about. Page numbers are put next to each article title to direct the reader to them.

The text font is kept the same as the font used on the front cover, creating a house style which the magazine can then be related to.

Unlike ‘Q’ magazines simplistic contents page, ‘Rock sound’ is very visually busy: lots of colour and images. This fits in with the rock/metal music that the audience are reading about.

Images help the more visual reader to find specific articles. These images often have page reference numbers on them to ease navigation. The images of bands and artists used connote the magazines rock music theme.

The picture of Oli Sykes with the ‘Rock Sound’ logo on top of him further associates him with the magazine, promoting both him and ‘Rock Sound’. The image used relates to the image on the front cover which helps to carry out a theme, It is also an image used in the article about the band.

The pull quote on the left page is visually associated with the band image it is layered on top of. The pull quote is used as a lure to get the reader to read the article about the band.

Some of the images used appear as if they have been cut and pasted into the magazine. This connotes the magazines rebellious attitude.