2. What is the purpose of a contents
page?
The purpose of a contents page is to inform the
reader about many of the articles and features
within the magazine and the pages on which
you can find them. Some of these articles will be
anchored to an image to show the reader what
they are featuring. Often, a contents page will
include a message from the editor, welcoming
readers to the magazine and glancing over a
topic that the reader may find interesting.
3. Typical Conventions of a contents
page
Contents pages usually follow a house design and are
easy to read. They use colours that are relevant to the
magazine and are usually the same or similar to the cover
page. They are normally one to two pages long and are
set out in columns, normally 3-4 to make them easier to
read. They also have a large image of a feature article and
a few secondary images relating to other articles. These
images are usually anchored with a number to show
which story it relates to. The is also sometimes a letter
from the editor, welcoming the ready to the magazine
and what they can expect from this edition.
4. House Style definition
House style is the specific usage and editing
conventions followed by writers and editors in a
publication. The colour scheme, fonts and layout
will all become consistent with the magazine
giving it a personal and familiar feel on most
pages.
5. Examples of House Style
Both the cover and the contents
page use a black and gold theme
that maintains the house style and a
sense of familiarity to the reader.
The contents page also has an image
of the cover that is used to credit
photographers and advertise
clothing that is featured.
The contents page uses the same
basic fonts as the cover.- About 3
different fonts used consistently.
The contents page repeats the title
of the magazine to maintain
familiarity within the publication.
6. Contents Page Analysis 1
Highlights the main features of A large main image used to
the magazine. Doesn’t show all highlight a feature article/band.
of the articles, only what the Readers who are fans of the group
editors think the customer will would instantly know who it is and
be most interested in. be intrigued to find more
information. A reference is
Details of a feature topic/article, anchored to the picture to give a
in this case the band ‘Oasis’. The little more information. This
band may be popular at the includes a page number so the
time in order to appeal to a reader can find the article quickly.
large proportion of the target
audience.
Common features that can be
found in every edition- This may
give a reader something to look
forward to for next month.
Smaller sections of information on what a reader may be
interested in. Page numbers included for a quick reference
to the articles. A secondary image is included here to
catch a readers attention.
7. Contents Page Analysis 2
Quote from Kirk Hamett of
Message from the editor Metallica. This will appeal to
welcomes the reader to the fans of the band who will
magazine and features want to hear his opinions on
some of the articles within. other newer bands. A small
This makes the reader feel caption includes the page
as though the magazine is number for quick reference.
talking directly to them and
preserves a familiar and Highlights the main features
friendly feel to the of the magazine. Headings
magazine. draw the eye and separate the
different types of features.
Yellow text with black
Large primary image shows
highlighting also draws
the feature article and
attention and fits with the
draws the readers eye.
theme of the ‘Contents’
There are also many
heading. Set out in a column
secondary images to display
which gives an concise, easy
features in the magazine.
to read aesthetic to the
All of these images are
contents page.
anchored with a small
caption and a page number
so that readers can find the
article quickly.
9. Creating a House Style for my Student
Magazine.
My contents page will be similar to my front
cover in many ways in order to create a
definitive house style.
I will use the same two font choices (Impact and
Century Gothic) and colour scheme (Red, black
and white) that I used on my front cover. This
will create a familiar feel that persists
throughout the magazine.
