The document discusses generic conventions for magazine covers and contents pages. It notes that magazine covers typically feature a celebrity or image in the center, with the magazine title at the top center. Key information is placed on the top left and right of the cover. Contents pages separate content into sections with images and page numbers to preview articles. Larger images highlight more important features, and fonts and layouts aim to be clear, organized and engaging for the target audience.

1. Generic Conventions of
Magazine Covers and
Contents Page
Alice Martin

2. Front Cover

3. Language and Font
The theme is often represented
through titles on the front. It’s
shown straightaway that the
target audience is teenagers. There’s usually a variety
The font is
very clear
and easy to
read.
The ‘+’ symbol is there
instead of ‘and’ which makes
it different from other
magazines. It also makes the
text which is more important
stand out.
of 3-4 fonts on a front
cover to keep it
interesting.
Magazines
usually have a
main title to
show what
the main
feature of the
issue is about.
The most important
content is always across
the top of the image and
down the left hand-side of
the image as people read
left to right.

4. Structure/layout
The main feature
(usually a celebrity
or sporting star)
should be in the
centre of the
magazine cover.
The title of the magazine
(the Masthead)is always
put on the top part of the
page in the centre as it’s
the most important part
to let people know the
type and style of
magazine it is.
The barcode is usually at the
bottom right side of the
magazine and sometimes
has the price written in
small print above or to the
side of it.
Having a shape around a
piece of text often
shows if it’s a
competition.
The main feature of
the magazine is usually
in large text on the
bottom left side of the
cover page as people
read left to right. It
shows that it’s
important.

5. The photos on a cover Image
of a magazine are
often medium shot.
This is so the main
features face is the
focus of the
magazine.
The way his skin is
tanned blends in
with the tanned
orange plain
background.
The tattoo on his
shoulder also could
represent the main title
‘Justin’s crazy year’.
By using a celebrity
icon it makes the
magazine more
popular.
The way Justin is
looking at the camera
would entice a Justin
Bieber fan to buy it.
As Justin is the main
feature on the front cover
it shows the target
audience is for teenagers
as Justin Bieber’s
audience is people of that
age range.

6. Typical Content
The name of the
magazine (The
Masthead) is at the top in
the centre, so it stands
out, letting people know
what magazine it is. This
is a generic convention.
Magazine’s usually have
a special offer
advertised on the front
cover to entice people
into buying it, as it will
seem like good value for
money.
The main feature of a
magazine is usually a
celebrity of sporting
star. This is show they
have a fan base and
people will be interested
in reading it.
There is often a
competition
advertised as
well.
Barcode and prices
are usually placed
very small on the
bottom right corner
as they aren’t
important.
They also have
information on the
front letting people
know what that
magazine issue is
about.

7. Contents Page

8. Language and Font
Throughout a
magazine contents
page there is usually
three different fonts
and colours
throughout, this is to
keep it interesting but
also smart and easy to
read.
They have
used catchy
sayings which
are relatable
to the target
audience.
The main title font is in a very
clear font which stands out as
it’s the title of the page and
therefore the first thing
someone reads.
The language used
on this contents
page is directly for
the audience,
which is teenage
girls. This is shown
by the choice of
words (e.g. ‘swag’
and ‘tweet’).

9. Structure/layout
The layout of
this contents
page is clear
and simplistic.
The page is separated
into sections to
organise different
parts of the magazine
and different topics.
The images down the
side have numbers on to
inform people what page
they can be found on.
Having images draws
attention to the reader
as it is more eye-catching
than just text, if they see
images of people they
admire they would be
persuaded to buy the
magazine.
The text is
down the left
side of the
page.

10. Image
The bigger the image
on a contents page
the more important it
is to the magazine.
The images on a
contents page usually
link to the sub-headings
on the page to give the
readers an idea of the
articles inside.
On this contents page it
has images of the articles
which can be found inside.
This is so people looking at
the magazine can have an
idea of what to expect.
The larger image (the feature of
the magazine) is an image taken
at an awards event which implies
the article involving that celebrity
involves a recent award.
The main image on a contents
page usually is the main image
on the front, or is the same
person. This is because they are
the main feature of that
magazine in that particular
issue.

11. Typical Content
The colours used for
this are used
throughout the
magazine.
The important
points are in bold
black writing to
make them stand
out
The images also have
borders round them
so the contents page
is organised and the
images are then
separate from the
text.
The images of people on
the contents page are to
let the readers know what
to expect in the magazine.
Often the images are of a
role-model or famous
celebrity.