Codes and Conventions of Contents Pages

In our lesson today we discussed the various codes and conventions of contents pages of music magazines. By looking at different magazines we have come up with a list of general codes and conventions. These codes and conventions are:

Images

• Larger image for the cover story, i main one and the rest smaller, under 10 photos
• Photographer often credited (mainly for the photographs on front cover, as credits are never put on the front page itself)
• All images have supporting texts.
• All images are linked to the magazine and its genre.
• Photos and page numbers are all correct and linked with the captions about the articles.
• There are several subsidiary images that are also used to relate to the articles inside the magazine to interest the reader

Layout

• Masthead is present at the top, a smaller version of the one on the front page. 
• The main word "Contents" is at the top, ranging from being in the middle or on the right/left.
• Around 3 columns that are split into different sections, with a line gap between each section.
• 11 size point font and must be consistent so that it is easy on the eye.
• Around 20 features and regular articles depending on the size of the magazine. 
• Generally around the sides of the page. 
• Definite divison between regular and feature articles
• Consistent font types and colour schemes (3/4) which links to the front page.
• Dates are near the top.
• The page numbers always come before a short introductory text that is usually an artist's name or ambiguous text (that is usually bigger than the average 11 size point font around 12/13). After this is the sublines which gives more infrmation. It is no bigger than 11 point font and is in roman text.

Page Numbers and Contact

• Page numbers are usually at the bottom of the page.
• Websites, email and phone are usually at the bottom, as the least important thing will usually be smaller and at the bottom.
• Page numbers next to articles must link to all other images, and are bigger and/or a different colour to the captions, and will always be to the left of the text.
• Subscription details are on the contents page, making it easier to subscribe to the magazine.
• There is sometimes a short introductory text from the editor of the magazine that welcomes new readers and gives a brief outline of what the magazine is about (e.g. the genre and main cover stories).

Examples