Codes and conventions of regional magazine contents pages

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF
REGIONAL MAGAZINE
CONTENTS PAGES

2. Informative for audiences – introduces
the reader to the local area and
contents of the magazine. Larger font
than contents information – the
preferred reading could be that the
magazine values the local area rather
trivial news.
Image – large (used as a
background) which draws the
attention of audiences – creates
personal identity amongst local
audience as they recognise
Ramsgate Harbour.
Contents – san serif font which appeals to younger target audiences,
easy to read.The logo of RamsgateTown Council is bigger than the
‘Contents’ title – reinforces the preferred reading. At the top of the
page (easily identifiable with the target audience).
Masthead – top of the page –
introduces audiences to the
magazine, san serif font – appeals
to younger readers and establishes
the target audiences preferences.
Contact information –
establishes the magazine in a
professional appearance.
Alternative platforms to
consume media products –
appeals to a wider audience.
References – local businesses are
mentioned – reinforces the
personal identity created with
local audiences. Highlights local
businesses with less familiar
audiences.

3. Contents – san serif font which
appeals to younger target
audiences, easy to read.The
logo of RamsgateTown
Council is bigger than the
‘Contents’ title – reinforces the
preferred reading. At the top
of the page (easily identifiable
with the target audience).
Main Image – large (used as a background) which draws
the attention of audiences – creates personal identity
amongst local audience as they recognise Ramsgate
Harbour.
References toTown Council –
positions audiences to consume
local media products –
advertising for RamsgateTown
Council.
Informative for audiences – introduces
the reader to the local area and
contents of the magazine. Larger font
than contents information – the
preferred reading could be that the
magazine values the local area rather
trivial news.
References – local businesses are
mentioned – reinforces the personal
identity created with local audiences.
Highlights local businesses with less
familiar audiences.White box makes
this stand out – drawing attention.
Number of issues – establishes the
magazine as professional – positions
the audiences positively due to
reliability.

4. Images – colourful
pictures attracts
attentions from
audiences. Lots of images
– very visual for
audiences – appeals to
younger audiences.
Images that show direct
mode of address creates
personal relationships
with audiences (uses and
gratification theory),
arousing their interest to
read that page/article.
Features – sectioned into individual subjects – looks
professional and allows audiences easier navigation to
specific pages. Serif font establishes the style and
preferences of target audiences.
Masthead – serif font establishes the style
and target audiences preferences
(appeals to older audiences).Top of the
page – introduces the readers to the
magazine (uses and gratification theory)
Numbers – main stories have their
numbers in larger font – increasing
the ease of navigation to specific
pages. Colour scheme is fairly plain –
reinforces the target audiences
preferences even more.

5. Masthead – serif font establishes the style and target audiences preferences
(appeals to older audiences).Top of the page – introduces the readers to the
magazine (uses and gratification theory)
Features – less images puts all
audience attention of the
features – positions the audience
into the preferred reading – that
the information/history of the
local area is more important than
what it looks like. Large amount
of text fulfils cognitive needs.
Features – sectioned into individual
subjects – looks professional and allows
audiences easier navigation to specific
pages. Serif font establishes the style and
preferences of target audiences.
Background information on front
cover – cognitive and social
integrative needs are fulfilled, local
audiences can recognise the Surrey
Hill and feel a sense of personal
identity, and outside audiences can
be informed about the local area.
Images – bright colourful
image, attracting audiences
to that page. As the image
takes up nearly half of the
page, this positions the
audience within negotiated
reading, the appearance of
the local area is just as
important as it history.

6. Images – colourful
pictures attracts
attentions from
audiences. Lots of images
– very visual for
audiences – appeals to
younger audiences.
Images represents the
local area in an idyllic
light which draws
audiences attentions.
Masthead – serif font establishes the style
and target audiences preferences (appeals
to older audiences).Top of the page –
introduces the readers to the magazine
(uses and gratification theory)
Numbers – main stories have their
numbers in larger font – increasing the
ease of navigation to specific pages.
Colour scheme is fairly plain – reinforces
the target audiences preferences even
more.
Features – sectioned into individual
subjects – looks professional and allows
audiences easier navigation to specific
pages. Serif font establishes the style
and preferences of target audiences.
Competition created
amongst audiences – this
in turn creates narrative
tension amongst
audiences encouraging
them to purchase other
issues of the magazine.

7. Numbers – main stories have their numbers in larger font –
increasing the ease of navigation to specific pages.Colour
scheme is fairly plain – reinforces the target audiences
preferences even more.
Masthead – serif font
establishes the style and
target audiences
preferences (appeals to
older audiences).Top of
the page – introduces the
readers to the magazine
(uses and gratification
theory)
Features – sectioned
into individual subjects
– looks professional
and allows audiences
easier navigation to
specific pages. Serif
font establishes the
style and preferences
of target audiences.
Images – colourful
pictures attracts
attentions from
audiences. Lots of images
– very visual for
audiences – appeals to
younger audiences.
Images that show direct
mode of address creates
personal relationships
with audiences, arousing
their interest to read that
page/article.
Double page layout – unconventional structure, allows for extra social
integrative needs to be fulfilled as more space is allocated for local news
articles.

8. Features – the images
take up less space on
the page and therefore
puts all audience
attention of the features
– positions the audience
into the preferred
reading – that the
information/history of
the local area is more
important than what it
looks like. Large amount
of text fulfils cognitive
needs.
Images – bright colourful images which are congregating at the top of the page, attracts audiences to that page. As
the images takes up nearly half of the page, this positions the audience within negotiated reading, the appearance
of the local area is just as important as it history.
Repetition of masthead
on the contents pages –
creates brand awareness
for audiences –
reinforces the reliability
and professionalism of
the magazine –
encourages the creation
of constant niche
audiences.
Double page layout – unconventional structure,
allows for extra social integrative needs to be
fulfilled as more space is allocated for local news
articles.
Features – sectioned into individual subjects – looks professional and
allows audiences easier navigation to specific pages. Serif font
establishes the style and preferences of target audiences.

9. Double page layout – unconventional structure, allows for extra social
integrative needs to be fulfilled as more space is allocated for local news
articles.
Masthead – serif font establishes the style and target audiences
preferences (appeals to older audiences).Top of the page –
introduces the readers to the magazine (uses and gratification
theory)
Numbers – main
stories have their
numbers in larger font
– increasing the ease
of navigation to
specific pages.Colour
scheme is fairly plain –
reinforces the target
audiences preferences
even more.
Features – sectioned
into individual subjects
– looks professional
and allows audiences
easier navigation to
specific pages. Serif
font establishes the
style and preferences
of target audiences.
Images – colourful pictures
attracts attentions from
audiences. Lots of images –
very visual for audiences –
appeals to younger
audiences. Images that show
direct mode of address
creates personal
relationships with audiences,
arousing their interest to
read that page/article.

10. Masthead – serif font establishes the style and target audiences preferences
(appeals to older audiences).Top of the page – introduces the readers to the
magazine (uses and gratification theory)
Features – sectioned into individual
subjects – looks professional and
allows audiences easier navigation
to specific pages. Serif font
establishes the style and
preferences of target audiences.
List of features fulfils cognitive
needs (uses and gratification
theory) – allows audiences to be
informed about the local area.
Images – bright colourful image,
attracting audiences to that page.
As the image takes up nearly half of
the page, this positions the
audience within negotiated
reading, the appearance of the
local area is just as important as it
history.
Numbers – main stories have their
numbers in larger font – increasing
the ease of navigation to specific
pages. Colour scheme is fairly plain –
reinforces the target audiences
preferences even more.
Advertising a holiday brochure – informs readers further and fulfils social integrative needs as
locals can discuss this guide with their social peers . Highlights some local businesses and
therefore creates personal identities with local audiences.

11. Codes and Conventions
 Title – usually serif font which establishes the style and target audience for the
magazine – lies at the top of the page to introduce audiences.
 Colour scheme – lots of colourful images are used to draws the audiences attention to
specific articles – otherwise the font and background of contents pages are simplistic
and easy to follow to older audiences.
 Page number/Text – san serif font which is easier to read, helps the target audience
decide which pages they would like to read.
 Layout – simplistic layout which allows for easier navigation, contents is split into
sections for ‘Features’, ‘News’ and ‘Social Events’ – which gives a professional
impression of the magazine.
 Subjects – conventional areas of information required such as ‘Art’, ‘Culture’, ‘Local
News’, gives a professional impression.