Media

1. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF A
CONTENTS PAGE
Deemple Morar

2. CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF A CONTENTS
PAGE
 Masthead (Regular Contents)/unique font
 Main image
 Cover lines
 Columns
 Page numbers
 Colour scheme
 Genre
 Date
 Issue number
 Direct address
 Social media subscriptions
 Editors letter (direct mode of address)
 UK top 40
 Buzzwords

3. EXAMPLES OF CONTENTS PAGES

4. REGULAR CONTENTS (MASTHEAD)
The regular contents masthead is
usually the largest piece of writing on
a contents page, alongside with the
magazines name. For example
‘Billboard Contents’. This is so that
the audience will be reinforced with
the brand identity, which allows the
magazine to keep the same layout
throughout which keeps the
magazine consistent. In addition to
this, the date of the magazine is
usually above the regular ‘contents’
or just below the name of the
magazine, this is to ensure that the
audience is aware of how new/old
the issue of the magazine is. The
masthead is a smaller version of the
main one on the front cover of a
magazine, this is to ensure that it
stands out, its big, bold and bright.
Furthermore, it is usually in a unique
font, which it is unique to the
magazine, which has reference to
the double page spread.

5. MAIN IMAGE
The main image has some reference
to the front cover of a magazine, as it
anchors the main image. It also
features the same people throughout
the magazine, which allows the
audience to be aware of what the
magazine could be like, this allows
the magazine to be consistent
throughout. In addition to this, the
main image can use direct mode of
address, in which the individual on
the contents page is looking directly
at the audience which make them feel
as if they’re involved within the
magazine. This could entice the
audience to read other sections in the
magazine, rather than particular
sections.

6. COVER LINES/SUB LINES/
SUB HEADINGS
Cover lines/sub headings are used to
engage the audience on particular stories
and articles. These are usually big and
bold, which is easily noticeable. For
example; ‘Cash for Questions’ and
‘Adele’. These cover lines are used to
catch the audiences attention when
reading the contents page, as this maybe
a interesting article to read upon. The sub
headings are used to categorize each
section into particular sections. This is
done to ensure that the audience know
what section they need to go to. For
example; ‘Features’, ‘Women in Music’
and ‘Every Month’. Sub headings can
also be included with the font sizing being
14pt. The sub lines gives extra
information about what the article is about
and the font sizing of sub lines are usually
11pt.

7. COLUMNS
A contents page usually has 1-6
columns. This is so that the
contents page can be broken up
into certain sections. This allows
the audience to be able to
allocate what particular section
they want to read upon. The
amount of columns used
depends on how big the page is.
Moreover, some contents pages
can be 1-2 pages long,
depending on how much
content needs to be covered,
this can be done on a double
page spread or two separate
pages that cross over each
other.

8. PAGE NUMBERS, DATE, ISSUE NUMBER & WEB
ADDRESS
Another convention of a contents page is the
page numbers. This allows the audience to go
straight to the page they want to read about. For
example; page 18 tells the audience about
‘summer in the city’. This could also anchor the
information that is given on the contents page.
The page number is always before the story that
is given, which they are in different colours to the
stories.
Page numbers are also allocated on the bottom
of each page. This is so that the audience can
easily find what page they need to go to by
looking in the right hand corner of each page.
Furthermore, at the bottom of each page, you can
find the date of the magazine, the web address
and sometimes the issue number. This is so that
the audience can be aware whether they have
the right issue and the most recent up to date
one, also they can go to the magazine website to
find out any further information.

9. STRUCTURE OF A CONTENTS PAGE
The structuring of a contents page could be considered as
being in a certain format. For example; the regular ‘contents’
is at the very top of the page, which is the largest piece of
writing , which is easily noticeable. This can also include the
date. Secondly, the main image that is given is usually
centred in the middle of the page, or can be on the side. To
add to this, smaller images are used to illustrate what other
information could be used inside of the magazine, this could
help the audience decide on whether the magazine is
suitable for them. Thirdly, the layout of a contents page
tends to be in columns, which has sub lines/headings of
each particular section. A following page number is
indicated on the side of each segment to allow the audience
to be able to allocate where to go in the magazine. For
each, section it is not in chronological order. For example
the first section could be about ‘types of music’ and the
page references will follow by being ‘page 1, page 5, and
page 7’ etc. However, the editor of the magazine, will have
some control of the layout and structure so that it is not in
unusual places. Fourthly, in some magazines the editor
supplies an editors letter, which can appear somewhere on
the page, which gives the audience a direct mode of
address. Finally, subscriptions links to social media access
may be included for promotion of the site or to follow their
page via social media. Buzzwords can be used to entice
the reader. For Example; ‘exclusive’ and ‘plus’.

10. COLOUR SCHEME & GENRE
The colour scheme of a contents page
is another convention. This tends to
have a plain white background, with
the writing being black. It has some
colour in places such as the sub
headings being colour, to allow each
section to stand out. The colour
scheme tends to relate to the front
cover which allows it to give a
connection towards the target
audience.
The colour scheme fits in with the
genre as, it is consistent throughout,
the colours do not clash and it follows
the genre of the magazine of being
under the category ‘music’ or ‘indie’
etc.

11. SOCIAL MEDIA SUBSCRIPTIONS
Social media subscriptions are also
included on a contents page. This is
used so that the magazine can promote
their magazine via social media apps,
that individuals can follow them e.g.
Twitter & Instagram or Subscribe e.g.
‘YouTube’. There are many other
platforms of social media that can be
used to promote the magazine.
One example of what could be included
on the contents page is ‘Have your say’,
which will be followed by the social
media platform that this will be available
on.

12. EDITORS LETTER
An common code and convention of a
contents page, is containing a letter from the
editor. This is done so that the audience will
be aware of who created the magazine from
the current month. The editors letter usually
is placed on the left hand corner of a
contents page and gives information about
the issue of the magazine.
The significance of the signature from the
editor is important to note, as this may be
used as personalisation purposes. This gives
the reader some direct mode of address, as
they may feel as if the letter is written
particularly to them.

13. TOP 40 SONGS
In each music magazine, there is
usually the ‘top 40’ songs of the
month, ranging from the best song
which will be rated ‘number one’ to the
least popular song that will be rated
number 40’. This will allow the
audience to be aware of what the
most popular songs on the charts are,
in order to be able to listen to them.