Codes and Conventions of Features Pages in Regional Magazine

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF
FEATURES PAGES IN
REGIONAL MAGAZINE

2. Cognitive needs as well as
social integrative needs
fulfilled here – introduces the
reader to the style and
contents of the article also,
Steve Harris is a local radio
presenter therefore an article
by him would create a personal
identity amongst locals and
they may discuss this article
with their social peers.
Image – positions the audience in a
relationship the magazine as the
contents of the article directly
benefits the readers, the direct
mode of address reinforces the
personal relationship that has been
created (uses and gratification
theory).
Masthead – serif font establishes the style of the magaz
and the target audience preferences.
Structure – simplistic
layout appeals to older
audiences due to easier
navigation. However, pull
quotes conforms to
younger audiences
preferences.
References – informative
section on Steve Harris fulfils
cognitive needs, represents the
magazine in a professional
format for audiences to
consume (especially
informative for non-niche
target audiences of Steve
Harris)

3. Cognitive needs as well as
social integrative needs
fulfilled here – introduces the
reader to the main issues that
the magazine addresses and
these local issues may identify
with readers as it may affect
them, therefore they are likely
to discuss this with their social
peers.
Images – a very visual features page,
appeals to younger target audiences
that will be attracted to positive
representations created through
bright/ high key colours.
Layout – columns conform to a
professional structure and
positions the audience in the
preferred reading that this
magazine is informative and has
high quality.
Masthead – serif font establishes the
style of the magazine and the target
audience preferences.
Local articles – fulfils
social integrative needs,
creates a personal
identity between the
audience and the
magazine. Buzzwords
such as ‘luxury’ attracts
the target audience.

4. Masthead – top of the page –
introducing the reader to the
article. Serif font establishes
the style of the magazine and
the target audience
preferences.
Main Image – large colourful
image, which draws the
attention of the audience,
instantly recognisable to local
audience – creates a personal
relationship between
audiences and the magazine.
Cognitive needs fulfilled –
informative for audiences –
encouraging them to
consume the whole product.
Small serif font establishes
the style and target
audiences preferences for the
magazine. Informative
articles may lead to
discussions with social peers.
Tagline – ‘latest’ suggests the
article contains up-to-date,
relevant information, encouraging
audience to read on through
narrative tension. Positions the
audience to consume applicant
information.
Structure – simplistic structure – only 2 columns which establishes the style
and target audiences preferences for the magazine, suggests an older
target audience.

5. Tagline - informative section on
Melissa Porter fulfils social
integrative needs, represents the
magazine in a professional
format for audiences to consume
and relate to (as personal
relationships are created with
locals)
Text – very informative
(fulfils cognitive needs) and
first person text positions
the audience to receive
personal information (uses
and gratification theory).
Simplistic structure (only
one column) – appeals to
older target audiences.
Masthead – clever word-play,
creates narrative tension. Serif
font establishes the style of the
magazine and the target
audience preferences.
Features - professional aspect for
audiences to consume (especially
informative for non-local target
audiences)
Image – positions the audience in a
relationship the magazine as the
contents of the article directly
benefits the readers, the direct
mode of address reinforces the
personal relationship that has been
created (uses and gratification
theory).

6. Structure – unconventional
layout, appeals to younger
target audiences, harder
navigation for older audiences.
Main image – not large, colourful
and central drawing the audiences
attention, preferred reading
concentration on Pat Keenor, direct
mode of address creates personal
relationships with the magazine and
the audience.
Masthead – top of the page –
introducing the reader to the article.
Serif font establishes the style of the
magazine and the target audience
preferences. References to local area,
creates personal identity amongst
audiences.
Tagline - informative section on
Pat Keenor fulfils social
integrative needs, represents the
magazine in a professional
format for audiences to consume
and relate to (as personal
relationships are created with
locals)
Text – simplistic font, easier to
reader for older audiences,
very informative (fulfils
cognitive needs), first person
narrative reinforces personal
relationships between the
reader and the magazine.

7. Masthead – top of the page – introducing
the reader to the article. Serif font
establishes the style of the magazine and
the target audience preferences.
Image – the direct mode of address
reinforces the personal relationship
that has been created (uses and
gratification theory).The image is
central and colourful, which draws
the audiences attentions – creating
narrative tension.
Tagline – personal identity is
created as Lucy Siegle is from
Devon – relating to audiences
from Devon also. Social
integrative needs are fulfilled
through this.
Text – simplistic font, easier to
reader for older audiences,
very informative (fulfils
cognitive needs), first person
narrative reinforces personal
relationships between the
reader and the magazine.
Single column appeals older
target audiences – allows for
easier navigate.
Structure – simplistic columns establishes target audiences
preferences.Addresses up-to-date circumstances e.g. ‘online
shopping’ appeals to audiences due to relevance.

8. Masthead – top of the page –
introducing the reader to the
article. Serif font establishes
the style of the magazine and
the target audience
preferences.
Structure – simplistic
layout appeals to older
audiences due to easier
navigation. Informative for
audiences – fulfils
cognitive needs.
Tagline – relates to existing niche
audiences of garden lovers –
establishes the approach of the
article.
Image – colourful image
(drawing rather than
photography) – appeals to
younger audiences. Positions
audiences to consume, child-
friendly contents.
Pull quotes – looks very
professional, create personal
relationships with audiences
due to direct quotations (uses
and gratification theory)
Extra features – another
image increases the colour of
the article, drawing the
readers attention. Also
references to other media
platforms increases
accessibility and appeals to a
wider target audience.

9. Pull quotes – looks very professional,
create personal relationships with
audiences due to direct quotations
(uses and gratification theory)
Masthead – top of the page –
introducing the reader to the article.
Serif font establishes the style of the
magazine and the target audience
preferences. Social integrative
needs are fulfilled as existing niche
audiences of Sharon Canavar can
discuss the article with their social
peers.Text – very informative (fulfils
cognitive needs) and first
person text positions the
audience to receive personal
information (uses and
gratification theory). Simplistic
structure (only one column) –
appeals to older target
audiences.
Monotone image – gives a
professional impression to
audiences, establishes the
style of the article – looks
classy and experienced.
Main Image – large colourful
image, which draws the attention
of the audience, instantly
recognisable to existing niche
audience – creates a personal
relationship between audiences
and the magazine.
Structure – simplistic layout
appeals to older audiences due to
easier navigation. However, pull
quotes conforms to younger
audiences preferences.

10. Text – informative for
audiences which fulfils
cognitive needs - structure –
simplistic layout appeals to
older audiences due to easier
navigation. However, pull
quotes conforms to younger
audiences preferences.
Image – monotone image
(unconventional approach)
positions the audience to consume
an unique media product which is
the preferred reading, the direct
mode of address reinforces the
personal relationship that has been
created (uses and gratification
theory).
References – informative section on
Sybilla Hart fulfils cognitive needs,
represents the magazine in a
professional format for audiences to
consume (especially informative for
non-niche target audiences of Sybilla
Hart)
Masthead – top of the page –
introducing the reader to the article.
Serif font establishes the style of the
magazine and the target audience
preferences.
Tagline - informative section on
Melissa Porter fulfils social
integrative needs, represents the
magazine in a professional
format for audiences to consume
and relate to (as personal
relationships are created with
locals.) References to local area,
creates personal identity
amongst audiences.

11. Codes and Conventions
Most regional magazines feature pages are concerned with:
 Articles on local issues or updates of local events
 Interviews with celebrities (with a connection to the area) or local residents
 Wildlife or art are usually two main subjects for articles when considering the local area.
The codes and conventions of the regional feature pages of the magazines I have analysed are:
 Articles that relate to local areas e.g. interviews with celebrities that are from and/or live in that
areas, local issues etc.
 A large title and image, that helps the target audience to understand what the article is about.
 Professional columns of text to conform with the target audiences preferences and a structured
layout that allows information to be easily located.
 The image used in the article is usually large and colourful, drawing the readers attention to the
pages contents.
 The images used usually have direct mode of address establishing a relationship between the
magazine and the audience.