Conventions of a contents page

The contents page usually has a bold title to show the audience whats on the page.
It also has:

• Page numbers to show what contents are on what page so that readers can quickly turn to what they want to read.

• Pictures to show what's on some pages to draw the readers in.

• Subscriptions - To attract the audience to the offers in that magazine.

• Regulars - The parts of the magazine that are in every week such as an agony aunt.

• Simple layout - Because all the reader wants to do is look what's included in the magazine without confusion.

• Author's introduction letter - A text from the writer to the reader explaining certain things and thanking the reader some times.

Conventions of a magazine front cover

The conventions of a magazine:

• Big bold title - Tells the audience what its called, what type of magazine it is. Title must be easily recognisable.

• Date - Usually in small print in the corner of the magazine or under the title.
  

• Pictures - Main picture to go with main subject, 1 small picture somewhere else on the cover to go with a sub content.

• Sub content titles - Seem to be grouped together on part of the front cover, a picture may accompany.

• Main content - Includes a large image, the main focus when you look at the magazine, makes you want to buy it.

• Colours - Show what is included in the magazine or the type of magazine. For example, dark colours are usually on a gaming magazine, bright colours on a tv magazine.

• Barcode - The barcode is usually placed in the bottom left hand side of the magazine front cover.
  

Details of coursework

Preliminary exercise: using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally you must produce a mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of DTP.

Main Task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine. All images and text used must be original, produced by you - minimum of four images.