CONVENTIONS OF A CONTENTS PAGE

What is a contents page?

The contents page is one of the most important pages within the magazine as it is the first page the reader sees when they turn from the front cover. The key thing for the contents is that it must be easy and clear to read. This is so the reader can quickly find the article they want to read from the menu that lists all the articles in chronilogical order. The contents page gives a sense of the purpose he magazine as it gives an overview of the magazine. The reader can easily tell the theme or genre of the magazine, for exaple if there is a list of music related aritcles such as concert reviews and new album releases then this is obviously a magazine magazine.

Layout

The layout of a contents page includes the standard conventions such as masthead that it as the top of the page with the main text and images underneath. The page is organised into three or four columns to make the page look structured and easy to read. If the page looks messy or too crowded the reader will find it hard to read and underneath making them less interested in the magazine. Usually on the left hand side is where the list of articles are posiitoned with special feautres, regulars and images positioned in the other two columns. In one the columns will be headings such as 'exlusives', 'regulars' or other buzz words to help the reader find what article they want. At the bottom of the page will be social media information, subscription or a letter from the editor. The contents page will follow the same theme as the front colour by using the same font style and colour scheme to add consitent flow.

Masthead

The masthead will usally read something like 'contents' which brings the reader straight to the point of the page. In addition to this the font will usally be a sans-serif font meaning it will  bold and very easy to read. The masthead will be positioned at the very top of the page so that it follows the Z theory meaning it will be the first thing that the reader readers. The colour of this convention should be bright as well as matching the colour scheme of the front cover so the magazine presents some fluency.

Logo

Next to the masthead in the top right hand corner is where the magazine's company logo will be positioned. This to remind the reader on what magazine they are reading and to emphaise how proud the company is of their logo. The logo may include the name of the magazine but in the same font that is presetned on the front cover.

Images

On a contents page there should be 50% images and 50% text. The images should relate to particular article of the magazine which will be linked together using a caption. This is done so the viewers attention is grabbed by the image where they will  waant to learn more about it. The caption will assist them and guide them to right article. Sometimes the page number that the article is linked to in layered over the image so the reader an turn straight to that page. The images will also be related to the magazine theme, for example for a rock magazine images may include photogaphs of rock artists or concert venues. A fashion magazine may include images of celebrities, models and clothes. Most contents pages will feature a main image that will be the largest image on the page. This main image will also be linked to the main story of the magazine.

Typography

The articles listed on the contents page are ordered into different sections such as exlusives, news reviews or regulars. Each section will have a heading that will be in a different fonts to the rest of the text. This is done so they stand out far more to the reader to catch their attention. This font is larger than the main body text, again to accentuate to the importantance of it. This can only be done if the page is easy to read and identify the different sections. The text needs to be spread out and not clustered together so they text can be read and understood. This is done by sepearating the page into  three columns where specific text is designated to order and give easy directions.

Colour

The contents page should be paraell to the colour scheme presented on the front cover. This is because the colour scheme usually reflects a specific theme applies to the whole of the magazine e.g. a halloween issue would feature orange, black and purple. By doing this it also adds fluency consistency to the product  making it obvious the contents page is related to the front cover of the same magazine. The colour scheme is a very important convention as it should give the magazine a professional and sophisicated look. This would exclude colours that clash against eachother as this suggests the magazine has been designed badly.

Sub headings

The sub headings are headings given to different sections of the page. They help to direct the reader to what articles they want to read. They organise the magazine as they provide different sections such as exlusives, regulars or news etc... The subheadings are positioned in one of the of the columns where the appropiate articles are listed in chronilogical order underneath. They all use the same font which is different to the masthead so the reader can distinguish between them.

Advertisement

Advertisement can include special subscription offers, free prizes, concert dates, new album or single releases. The company will pay the magazine to feature this advertisment on the page. To attract the reader to the advert bright colours are used as well as bold fonts and images of the product or offer. Adverts will also be in different coloured text boxes showing it is seperate to the rest of the page. If it is a special offer the reduced price or the savings will be sized larger to shock and woo the reader.