Codes and Conventions

1. Codes and
conventions of a
contents page

2. Main image
relating to the
front cover.
Page
numbers
Split into
sections/categories
Smaller photos
relating to
stories
Simple colour
scheme
1 or 2
pages
long
date
website
Largest text on page
Plain
background
Columns
Cover lines
and sublines
Line gap
between
sections

3. Typography
The masthead is carried through usually includes the title of the
magazine, which is always in unique font as this makes it recognisable
and creates a brand.
The small print is usually always 11pt.
The numbers are in a different font and are always bigger.
All titles are usually in bold.
The writing is written in columns.
Page numbers are normally a different colour to the stories.

4. Regular content
News
Upcoming bands
Competitions
Editors letter
Information and dates of gigs
Interviews
Main feature article anchoring the cover page
Freebies
Competitions
Page numbers and where you can find all the different stories
Reviews of albums/songs/tours/music videos
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Subscription details

5. Audience
There is always a primary audience and a secondary audience of
magazines, and of any media product.
The primary audience for magazines is people who go out and buy the
magazines themselves.
The secondary audience for magazines is people who read the
magazine but haven’t bought it themselves.
There is always a specific target audience for magazines, such as music
lovers (specific genres), men, women, children, animal lovers, etc.

6. Uses and Gratifications
Diversion: People will buy music magazines for diversion as we like to be
doing things all the time.
Surveillance: People read magazines to gather information, such as gig
dates, reviews, gossip etc.
Personal identity: People who like the artist on the cover or featured in the
magazine will want to buy it, also they will identify with topics or stories
as everyone who reads a music magazine will be a music lover.
Personal relationships: People would buy magazines for personal
relationships as if there are interviews etc the reader feels like they are
getting to know the artist.