1. Magazine Construction
Caitlin Porley

2. What you get on front covers

3. 1. Masthead
8. Selling Line
or Banner
Web-links?
Ears?
2. Kicker
3. Cover Line
9. Feature
Article Photo
10. Headline
4. Secondary Lead
11. Anchorage
12. Flash
5. Plug
13. Menu Strip
Graphic
6. Feature or
Puff
7. Caption
14. Bar Code
15. Date Line

4. 1. Masthead
8. Selling Line
or Banner
Web-links?
Ears?
9. Slogan
2. Kicker
3. Cover Line
9. Feature
Article Photo
10. Headline
4. Secondary Lead
11. Anchorage
12. Flash
5. Plug
6. Graphic
Feature or
Puff
7. Caption
13. Menu Strip
14. Bar Code
15. Date Line

5. Conventions Notes
 The masthead “Rock Sound” clearly connotes rock music which makes it obvious
who the magazine is for.
 The anchorage usually creates an enigma which is used as a teaser to get the
reader to carry on. On some of the cover the feature article photo illustrates the
anchorage, for example the second magazine cover illustrates the anchorage
“Oli Sykes… saint or sinner?” as there is a halo like ring of light above his head
which connotes angels or a “saint”.
 The use of language hints at a young target audience in the kickers, anchorage
etc. This is because it uses techniques such as alliteration or puns which are
usually used to interest younger people.
 I think the feature article photo is the most important feature of the cover. This
is because even if someone doesn’t stop to read it they can see what band(s)
are included in the magazine without paying much attention to anything else.
 An informal register is used on the covers which makes it appear more casual
and friendly towards the reader.

6. How front covers are conceived and laid
out

12. Composition
of the photo
makes it
obvious who
the lead
singer is.
Direct mode of
address can appear
‘in your face’,
serious, engaging…
Creates a wacky, fun
image, sharing an
identity with the
reader that offers the
‘independence’ of
indie music.
Enigma – what are
they getting up to
now?

13. House Style & Design Notes
 COLOUR – There is a large amount of blue and red used in the covers. The masthead and
background colours switch between white, blue, red and grey depending on which
compliments or contrasts best with the photo.
 FONTS – The font of the headline changes each time however the size is generally
consistent.
 STYLE – There is a direct mode of address in every photo and most are medium close
ups. A mid range shot is usually used when there are more than four people in the
photo. The covers usually look quite clustered which makes it more engaging to the
reader, this is also achieved if the cover uses an enigma, for example “if this is our last
shot we’ll go down fighting” on the Fall Out Boy cover as this makes the reader question
it.
 USE OF SPACE – The left third of the cover is usually the most dominant, and the layout
is generally quite conventional, for example the headline is central and the masthead is
at the top.
 CONCLUDE – The covers are usually quite clustered which makes it unusual compared to
other magazines which are more neatly laid out. I think the overall design is very
effective because it is eye-catching and unique, particularly in the newer covers e.g. the
first two examples.