The document analyzes the contents pages of four music magazines: Q, Kerrang, NME, and What I've Learnt. Some key aspects summarized are: 1) The contents pages follow the house style and color scheme set by the magazine's front cover. Images and article headings are placed beside each other to give the reader a preview. 2) Magazine names and issue dates are prominently displayed on contents pages. Page numbers, titles, and headings use different colors and fonts to stand out. 3) Contents pages include 1-2 editor comments or quotes to foster connection with readers. Advertisements are sometimes placed in the center for visibility. 4) Common sections previewed are

1. CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS

2. Q
The contents title has been placed in the top centre of the page. There is a
slight slanted motion as the symmetry is not entirely straight. The title consists of
‘Q Contents’ thus it includes the name of the magazine on the contents page
as well. There is a black text background beneath the title. The ‘Q’ is
conventionally in red as this is the symbolism for the magazine. ‘Contents’ in all
block capitals is written in white which allows it to stand out. Above the title
consists of the issue date of the magazine.
The first topic is about the ‘2014
Album Preview’ this accentuates
the music aspect of the
magazine. It also is a form of
advertising different albums.
There are many different coloured
shapes to convey the page
numbers. The numbers stand out
and the colours add a vibrant
atmosphere. The number has
been placed beside each article
heading.
There are 6 different images in total on
the contents page. Each image is
placed beside the article it is related
to. The images allow the reader to
have an idea of what is in the
contents of the magazine and it also is
more interesting to look at. Some of
the images are making direct eye
contact whereas others are more
‘caught in the action’.
’25 page special’ has been
written next to an image and in a
yellow circle. There is almost a
sticker effect added on to this for
emphasis.
‘The 1975’ were also the group on
the front cover. They have a
slightly bigger portion size in terms
of the contents space. However
the title and placing is the same
as all the other topics in the
magazine. There is subsequently
less information given about this
particular group perhaps to lead
interest and intrigue onto the
double page spread. As you can
see the lay out of the contents is
in faint boxes, there is a slight
outline for each image and
feature.
At the bottom of the contents page it consists of ‘February 2014 Q
3’ which mentions the magazine issue date, the masthead of the
magazine and the page number.

3. KERRANG
On the top left hand corner the issue
number and cover date of the magazine
is shown. The words ‘issue no’ and ‘Cover
Date’ have been written in red where as
the rest of the text is in black.
There is a big image
displaying a group that is
featured in the magazine.
They are all looking directly
into the camera. Beside the
image on the left hand corner
is the page number written
quite noticeably big. There is
a short description about the
group that has been written in
yellow to stand out against
the murky dark image.
There is a black text box that
contains the subheadings of
the contents. The text is of the
subheading are in yellow
which stand out and make it
easily visible to the reader.
The page numbers are
allocated on the left hand
side and in red. The features
are in bold black capitals and
beneath the text is a short
colloquial comment
conveying humour or satire.
There are 2 other images
conveyed on the contents page.
Beneath the editors comment section there
is a small half a column based on a recent
quiz competition results.
The Contents heading has been
placed on the top right hand
corner in side a cut off black
circle. The house style is continued
on as there are crackles in the
shape. The word ‘Contents’ is
written in white to ensure it stands
out and in block capitals to
connote a loud sounding
atmosphere. Beneath the title
there is a short slogan that
compares the contents page to
‘like a TV guide but for music and
stuff’. This colloquialism triggers a
closeness between the magazine
and the reader. The text has been
written fairly inside the circle
however has its own red text
background to convey that it is a
slogan and separates it from the
title.
Half of the column on the right
hand side consists of a comment
made by the editor. The
comment is personal and
directed towards the reader. The
editor has signed the comment
off with a personalised signature.
Above the comment is a picture
of the editor. This adds a
closeness between the magazine
and it’s target audience.

4. NME
The title of the contents is ‘Inside NME’, so the name of the
magazine has been carried onto the contents page. This
has been placed across the first 2 of 3 columns. The fact that
the title says ‘Inside NME’ conveys that the features are
unique to NME only. There are gaps in the word ‘Inside’ and
the title has been written in block capitals to portray an
overpowering appearance.
The double page spread of the
main image on the front cover
has been placed beneath the
features list. Where as the other
double page spread articles do
not have an image of them. The
colour scheme of the contents
matches the house style of the
front cover. The colours consist of
red, white and black.
Altogether there are 2 images of
supposedly features in the
magazine. Only their heads
have been shown and they are
making direct eye contact with
the audience. The background
of the contents page is white
which means the text is black to
allow the reader to view it
clearly. To make text stand out
the font colour is in white with a
black text background.
At the very bottom of the contents page taking up two columns are
comments made from the editor, writer and photographer. This essentially
allows the reader to share a close bond with the magazine. An image has
been place beside each comment.
Placed in the centre of
the magazine is an
advertisement. ‘Want
to win the greatest
prize ever?’ The
rhetorical question
would hook the readers
and the fact it is place
right in the centre
column of the
magazine gives it more
appeal.
On the right hand column there is
a feature stating ‘The NME band
list’. Again the ‘The’ conveys as
though this feature is only found
in NME magazine. The band list
emphasises the musical aspect of
the magazine. The feature
consists of all the bands that are
mentioned in the magazine and
the page numbers beside the
band.
There is a Christmas special offer
for NME’s target audience to
subscribe to the magazine at a
much lower price than normal.
This has been written in a normal
text box however the red
rectangle shapes places across
each corner of the text box
convey a tape like effect. The
colour red also give is a festive
feel.

5. WHAT I’VE LEARNT
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Contents page has a white background.
There are about 2 – 5 other images.
The text writing is in black.
The house style is continued on from the front cover.
The title of the contents is not always placed in the
centre and the issue number & date are mentioned.
The name of the magazine is usually mentioned next to
the contents and page number.
There is usually a review of some sort to emphasise the
music aspect of the magazine.
Images have the page number their featured on beside
them, big and visible.
There could be a competition of some sort to allow the
audience to interact with the magazine.