Analysing contents pages

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Analysis of Contents pages in Music Magazines By Lucy Hughes

Transcript of Analysing contents pages

Page 1: Analysing  contents pages

Analysis of Contents pages in Music Magazines

By Lucy Hughes

Page 2: Analysing  contents pages

Contents page NME (SEPT 2009) ANALYSIS BANNER AT TOP - The contents page is always labelled ‘contents’. It stands out and is extremely bold and clear for the reader to see.

DATE:

- Date is always featured on the magazine so its clear to the reader what issue it is. Its mainly placed at the top of the magazine so its clear to the reader.

SUB HEADING BLOCKED OUT INTO BLACK SUB SECTIONS:

- The sub-heading is clear and stands out to the reader, the black background and white font makes the writing look really effective.

BRIEF HEADING +SUMMARY OF CONTENT WITH PAGE NUMBER IN RED:

- The sub-heading is paired with a brief summary about what is going to feature in that article. The summary is very short as its only used to identify the key things that are going to be in the article.

NME MASTHEAD SAME COLOUR CODE AS FRONT makes the magazine look more professional and makes the contents page and front cover match.

Main image is placed in the middle of the magazine and stands out to the reader, however unlike the front cover the image doesn’t take up the whole frame.

Bands are listed in red with page number in black this is effective as it shows that the colour scheme has been kept through out the magazine; the red, black, white colours have been used on the contents like they have been used on the front cover.

Image is edited so it looks like a photograph. This is appropriate because it makes the model just look like a normal fan of the magazine and doesn’t make her look like she’s famous. The image is also anchored with information about the picture, this is effective because it explains what the image is about.

Editors introduction to contents of magazine:

- By the editors writing a welcoming message at the start of the magazine it creates a very friendly vibe and would appeal to the target audience of 16-19 year olds.

PREVIOUS/FUTURE EDITIONS OF NME ARE SHOWN WITH DETAILS OF WEBSITE/PHONE NUMBER ETC:

- Persuasive technique has been used to try and persuade the reader to subscribe to the magazine.

The information is placed in a speaker which is really effective as speakers are related to music and this is a music magazine. It creates a very edgy and rocky vibe and makes the magazine look very effective.

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ANALYSIS OF LAYOUT/DESIGN FEATURES OF CONTENTS PAGE The contents label is always placed at the top of the page and follows the same colour scheme as the front cover. The contents label is also very bold and effective and stands out, it also makes the contents page look very effective and professional.

Band index is placed on the left hand side and its placed in columns. Band index is used because it is a music magazine and makes it very effective and gives the reader a lot of information on a range of bands.

The sub-headings are placed to make the information easier for the reader to access. It allows them to briefly scan through the information and read what they want and leave the information that doesn’t interest them.

The magazine uses a puff to let the reader know that it’s the No1 gig guide, it’s a persuasive technique to let the reader know that it’s the most popular music magazine.

The information is placed in the columns, this makes the information easier for the reader to access and gives the magazine a professional and organised layout. This is because if everything was placed everywhere the magazine wouldn’t look as effective or professional.

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ANALYSIS OF Kerrang! CONTENTS PAGE Banner at the top of the magazine; contents page is labelled clearly at the top of the magazine, unlike other magazine it doesn’t take up the whole top third it just takes up the top right corner.

Date is also featured in the same place as the contents title. The date is always featured so the reader knows what issue they’re reading, its also always placed in the top corner out of the way of the main information.

Sub-headings are used with a black background and yellow font. This makes the information stand out to the reader and makes it look very effective. By having sub-headings it makes the information easier to access for the reader.

BRIEF HEADING +SUMMARY OF CONTENT WITH PAGE NUMBER IN black: This gives the reader a little summary about what is going to be featured in the article, its effective as it just gives the reader some background information on what is going to be featured.

Editors introduction to contents of magazine:

- The editors note gives the magazine a more informal vibe and creates a friendly feel. It appeals to the target audience as it feels like the editor is connected to the reader.

Some of the articles are anchored with a picture which makes the article easier to look at as it isn’t filled with words. It makes the page more effective as its placed with pictures of bands that are going to be featured in the magazine.

This piece of information featured on the contents page is very effective as it makes the reader want to see more of the interview as it’s questions by the band Metallica. Kerrang! Have placed it on the contents page so the reader sees it and wants to buy the magazine to find out more about that section.

The same colour scheme is kept throughout the magazine with the yellow font and black background. This makes the magazine look more professional and makes it more grouped as it shows that the contents page and front cover are connected.

This contents page is different to other contents pages as It features more pictures than words, however, this is effective for the kerrang magazine because pictures would appeal more to the target audience more than words.

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ANALYSIS OF Kerrang! LAYOUT CONTENTS Contents labelled at

the top of the page so its clear to the reader what this page is about. The contents title always stands out and is clear and bold making it the biggest piece of text on the page. Usually the contents takes up the whole of the top third however in this case it just takes up the top right corner.

Sub-headings are bigger and bolder than the other text so its clear to the reader what’s in that section.

Information is placed in columns to give the magazine a more professional feel. It also means that everything has a specific place and is structured.

Images are used to give the magazine a more ‘friendly’ feel instead of just having columns and columns of words. By having these images the magazine appears brighter and more teenage friendly. Also the images are anchored so the reader knows where to find this picture and article in the magazine.