CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF

MAGAZINES

THINGS ESSENTIAL TO CREATING A MAGAZINE: Masthead – the masthead is the title block for the magazine, usually this is the most eye-catching convention on a page and has to be distinct.

Menu- the list of contents inside the paper. Plugs- catch the readers eye, usually top left hand or right hand corner. Sidebar- an additional box next to the next to the main feature. Splash- Main story. Stand first- Sentence after the headline which sells it to the reader. Strapline- subheading. Tag- categorizing the readers interest usually in a sensational way. Box-out: a coloured box behind text. By-line: name of the reporter.

THINGS ESSENTIAL TO CREATING A MAGAZINE: Caption- text under a image. Credits- author credited. Exclusive- this means the story is solely for the magazine. E.g. A preview of an album not released yet.

Headline: Main statement, usually largest and boldest of the magazine.

Lure: could be used as a marketing device, its usually a word or phrase that pulls the reader in.

Friendly masthead, purposely in with no capitals in order to be an easy read. Furthermore the actual phrases use appealing colours of read and blue. Green representing that of freshness perhaps hinting at the young children pictured on the magazine cover.

The prominent image is that of a two shot, in which the children are pictured smiling and well dressed. This creates a certain quality to the magazine. Both are also young, and ‘cute’ making the magazine more appealing. The picture’s key colour theme is also green reinforcing that of the title.

Overall the front cover refrains from a splash and main headline. The font sizes are relatively the same and highlighted in different colours, each are poignant to school. Furthermore all are appealing to those going back to school. Drawing a reader in and displaying the content of the magazine.

Prominent title, stands out but is pushed into the background by the key feature which is Leonardo DiCaprio. This allows the reader to know what magazine it is, while at the same time being drawn to the famous name which is DiCaprio. Furthermore the dark red contrasts highly with the black and white background.

Inception is also written in the identical red text to that of Empire, again pulling it to the readers attention. The red and black contrast immediately forces the reader towards the title, which is great publicity for the movie and also a way to pull in potential buyers.

The tag for this front cover again pulls in movie enthusiasts, combining two of the biggest movies of all time both Matrix and 007. The white text, contrasts to the black of the protagonists suit pulling in the readers eye without breaking the colour scheme.

The use of an exclusive is also used on this magazine. Due to the popularity of the batman series this is another pull for a movie enthusiast.

A box-out is used at the base of the magazine again with the prominent red to draw the eyes of the reader. While the text is small, the box draws the readers attention to the article third after the title of the movie and magazine. In this way an interesting article is emphasised despite the size of the text.