Contents page analysis

2. Masthead
Page numbers
Features
inside
Sub heading
Drop cap and
brief view of
article
Main heading
Date
Main image –
direct address
Colour theme
Mise en scene
Medium long shot
Border around
image

3. We can see that down the left side a column is used to list of bands that
are featured inside the magazine – a colour theme of red, black and
white is used on the contents page to attract the audiences’ attention to
certain aspects, for example the sub headings. Rule of thirds has been
used on the right third of the contents page - we can see that it is
separated from everything else and it shows a list of other things in the
magazine.
2 important things that are on the hotspots on this page are the bus
(mise en scene) and the drop cap featured article – this means that this
will catch the audiences eye.
Therefore, we see that the rule of thirds has been used to make the page
look organised; however, this rule hasn’t been followed on the entire
page – this gives the contents page a slightly informal look which would
feel more welcoming to the target audience.

4. On the main image, we see that the person is showing direct contact – she is looking at the reader. This shows an
acknowledgement of the audience and will make them feel as though they are a part of what is happening in the
picture. To further emphasise the feeling of being ‘at home’ the language used is quite informal and talks directly
to the reader. For example, the brief version of the article inside starts off with ‘Thank god the sun has
disappeared, eh?’ This type of language talks to the audience directly.
Throughout the contents page, a smart font is used. However to make certain parts stand out (ie ‘Touring Special’)
the font is different – it is quite faded and stands out against the background – this attracts the attention of
readers.
The masthead is a very bright red – this stands out against the black background and is easily recognisable.
This means that readers will automatically know what magazine the contents page belongs to, and to non
regular readers it is a very easy logo to remember.
The main image is in the centre of the page and it is bordered to make it stand out. Mise en scene is used on
the contents page to relate to the sub headings. For example one subheading is ‘Touring special’ and the
coach in the background relates to this. In addition the colour used continues the theme of red, black and
white – the bus is red and the person in the image has a white top on. The image looks quite bright and this
creates a light, happy mood. A medium long shot is used to capture the female and the bus in the image.
The page numbers and subheadings also continue the colour theme – the red down the left side shows band
names – this brighter colour will perhaps attract the audiences’ attention first compared to the page numbers
which are in black. On the right side of the contents page it is the other way round – the page numbers are in
red and the subheadings and features are typed in black/white.