This document discusses how the author's media product both follows and challenges conventions of real music magazines. The front cover follows conventions like using a masthead, main image, coverlines and barcode. It challenges conventions by including a pug and puff advertisement. The contents page follows conventions of masthead, page numbers and large main image. It challenges conventions by including a tagline, multiple images and social media links. The double page spread (DPS) follows conventions of standfirst, main image and pull quote. It challenges conventions by including masthead, page numbers, byline and crediting the photographer.

1. Q1. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real
media products?

2. Similarities –
front cover
Masthead
Main image
Coverlines
Barcode

3. Differences – front cover
Pug
puff

4. How I followed the codes and conventions – Front cover
My front cover for the music magazine shares many
similarities with the front cover of another professional
rap magazine, showing I have followed some of the key
codes and conventions. Firstly my masthead is big and
bold, positioned at the top of the magazine so people can
spot it out and recognise it from afar or even if placed
behind others, just like the XXL. Also the main cover line is
positioned next to the person in the image and is slightly
bigger and bolder than others to anchor it together, the
XXL does the exact same by talking about NAS still being
the man in rap in the main cover line and then placing the
rapper NAS on the cover, I can tell this through the mise
en scence that it’s a rap magazine because of the
expensive chains and the way he is positioned and the
look he gives, just like in my rap magazine just without the
chains. My other cover lines are also spread across both
sides just like in XXL so you can clearly see the main
image. Another thing both mine and XXL have used is a
barcode, a bar code is a legal requirement and a key
feature of the magazine. I feel I have followed many of the
main and most important codes and conventions to make
my magazine into a success.

5. How I developed the codes and conventions – Front cover
Even though both my magazine and XXL share many key
codes and conventions I have actually developed some. First
of all I have used a pug in the top left corner of my magazine,
this will attract the readers attention and will even be seen if
placed behind enough magazines. These can be used to
promote deals however I've used it to let the readers know
the issue number to that specific article. Another thing that I
have developed on my magazine would be the use of a puff. I
have used a puff to promote my magazine by giving away a
free mixtape if you buy a copy. The shape itself will attract
the readers attention instantly and hopefully because theyre
getting a freebi from the magazine they may be more likely
to purchase one.

6. Similarities – cover page
Masthead
Page
numbers

7. Differences – cover page
tagline
Additional images
Social media links

8. How I've followed the codes and conventions - cover
page
My cover page follows all of the main codes and conventions
when creating a Rap magazine contents page. First of it includes
the masthead, however mine is slightly bigger and more
obvious than XXL so I feel I have also developed it in that way.
Next thing I have done would be the articles and page numbers,
I have listed all the articles in my magazine with its page
number directly next to it to make it obvious where to find it.
Both mine and XXL have used a different colour for the article
title and page number so it stands out. Next we both have a
large main image of a rapper positioned left of the text,
however my contents page articles are over the image and I've
used a transparent background so you can still see the image.

9. How I've developed the codes and conventions -
cover page
I have developed many codes and conventions on my rap
magazine, firstly I have included a tagline as well as the masthead
at the top left which just gives a name to the magazine. Next I
have included multiple images on top of the main image with
page numbers next to them that anchor them to the articles. This
gives the reader a bit more of a visual insight into what the
article will talk about and feature adding value to my magazine.
Finally I have included social media links so the readers can get
more involved with the magazine on social media instead of just
through paper, meaning they can be kept updated on when the
next magazine will drop and other online articles which may not
feature in the actual paper magazine.

10. Similarities - DPS
Standfirst
Main image
Pull
quote

11. Differences - DPS
Masthead
Page
numbers
Byline
Credit to
photographer

12. How ive followed the codes and
conventions - DPS
I have followed many of the important codes and
conventions when creating my DPS. First off we both
use a main image which takes up one side of the page
which shows the person who the article is talking
about. However I have developed this slightly as I have
merged into the other page just to make it look as if its
all one page. Another way in which I have followed
these is that we both have included a standfirst which
gives the reader a little insight into what the article is
going to entail and what they can be expected to read.
The last thing both magazines have included would be
pull quotes, these are when you pull out important
quotes which entice the reader and to highlight key
topics from the article. I have used it so the reader gets
a little bit more about the artist and can see what
they’re really like.

13. How I’ve developed the codes and
conventions - DPS
I feel that I have developed more codes and conventions than I
have followed when comparing the two rap magazines. First off I
have included the masthead into my magazine, this just keeps it a
bit more personal to the magazine and keeps the consistency
flowing throughout. As well as this I have incorporated a byline
which is used to let the readers know who has wrote the article
specifically, this also just gives the writer some credit for their
works. Another similar development I included would be the use
of crediting the photographer for the main image, again this just
lets the reader know who was responsible. A minor detail I have
included that the professional magazine hasn’t would be page
numbers, I have included them to make it easier for the reader to
find the specific page that they’re after instead of having to flick
through all the pages until they find the right one. If I was to do
this again I would of included a drop cap to let the reader know
where the article starts, I also feel that these are just aesthetically
pleasing.