The document analyzes the conventions used on the front cover of Billboard magazine using Taylor Swift as an example. Some of the key conventions discussed include: 1) The masthead is centered at the top and partially covered by Taylor Swift's image to make her stand out while still identifying the magazine. 2) Taylor Swift's name is in large block letters to attract fans while the magazine's simple masthead suggests it covers various music genres. 3) Additional information on the left provides context for stories beyond Taylor Swift to attract a varied audience.

1. TEXTUAL ANALYSIS -
CONVENTIONS OF MUSIC
MAGAZINES
BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
By Emily Smith

2. This will be the first magazine
that I shall be analysing. It is
useful to analyse the
conventions used on front
covers of very well known
magazines because I can
apply these to my own music
front cover which means it will
be easier for me to layout my
magazine cover.

3. THE MASTHEAD
• The masthead is in the centre at the top of the page and is partially covered by the singer
on the front.This is because the magazine is well known enough that the audience will
know what magazine it is.The magazine has been around for a long time which means it’s
a well respected magazine. Also by having the masthead behind and the singer brought
to the front it makes the singer stand out a lot more as it makes them look overpowering.
• The typography of the masthead is a recognisable style it is quite basic and in boxy
shapes the colour is black which stands out on the background that is white/grey. The fact
the masthead is so simple could be suggesting that the magazine doesn’t just do one type
of genre but it in fact the magazine focuses on most types of music. As some magazines
mastheads reflect their genre and they only focus of a certain type of music.

4. TYPOGRAPHY
• The typography of ‘Taylor Swift' is in block capitals and is quite large this is where the
magazine plays on audience’s knowledge -they expect that people already know who
Taylor Swift is. Having Taylor Swifts name really clear on the front and big attracts the
audience because if they like that artist they will buy the magazine. Having a popular
artist on the front is a plus for the magazine as fans of her music will buy it also – as
well as fans of the magazine in general therefore, bringing in a wider audience.

5. THE MAIN IMAGE ON THE FRONT
• The image on the front is very bright in contrast with the background which makes
the singer on the front stand out more.There is a medium close up shot of the singer
you can see that all the attention is on her eyes, her eyes are looking ahead and they
look like they're staring at you which draws the audience in.The main colour scheme
is grey, yellow and white which are conventional country colours. the 'dull' colours
already gives the audience an insight into what the genre of music Taylor swift sings.

6. BAR-CODE, DATE AND PRICE
• At the bottom of the page is the bar code and above it is the date and price, the fact
the date and price are in very small print distracts the reader from the price and if
they like what they see from the main page enough they will buy the magazine
without looking at the price.

7. THE TEXT ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE
• The writing on the left hand side gives additional information on what the magazine
entails this encourages people who aren't fans of the singer and just fans of the
magazine to buy it as even though Taylor Swift is the main focus in this issue there is
additional stories therefore the magazine has a varied audience.
• 'Plus‘ is in medium block capitals in the colour white which stands out from the rest of
the information on the left hand side this adds extra emphasis on the fact Taylor Swift
is not the only story in the magazine it keeps the audience interested.

8. MISE EN SCENE
• There is no real setting for the magazine which means all the focus is on Taylor Swift,
the mise en scene of her hair is flared out which makes her look much more flawless
and famous. Also her make-up is very well done which implies that she is a
country/acoustic singer because if she looked 'trashy' her image wouldn't match her
music that she sings.

9. AUDIENCE EXPECTATIONS
• Audiences have to clearly know what genre a magazine and its contents is because
otherwise they would have to think about what they're reading and seeing and
magazines are conventionally used for past times and most people like to read
magazines as a form of escapism when referring to the ‘Bulmer and Katz Uses and
Gratifications theory’. So they don’t want to be thinking about what they’re reading
they want to just read a magazine for a past time and to relax.