Analysis of magazine front coversCover 1.NME Sept 2009

Dizzee Rascal EditionCover 2. Kerrang Magazine

Jared Leto Edition Cover 3. Top of the pops

The Jonas Brothers Edition

The sell lines/ cover lines- The sell lines are used to tell the audience about what is in the magazine. They get the audience’s attention and entice them to buy the magazine, the use of the bold colours makes them stand out and the way it lists the different bands/artists including in the magazine and then says “&more” again makes it seem like there is a lot in the magazine and it is jam packed. Also the use of the word “starring” make the magazine seem very showbiz and celebrity related- as if it is a film. The main image- the type of shot is a canted angle because it is as if the camera as toppled over, it is on its side. It is an image of Dizzee Rascal crouched down, and this image relates to the genre of music that the magazine is about. He is looking straight at the audience and his facial expression is happy so it suggests that he is having fun, which again represents the genre of music promoted in NME. The main cover line- The main cover line anchors the main image so that people know who the man is. The font is big and bold with a drop shadow and in capitals so that it really stands outs and attracts the target audience

Barcode-date/issue/price- The barcode is an essential element for a magazine in order for people to be able to buy it. It contains the date, issue number and price and is a small box which is normally towards the bottom right hand corner of the page so that it is out the way from the main copy.

The footer- the footer at the bottom of the page just lists other bands that will feature in the magazine. This again suggests that there is loads going on in the magazine and will attract the target audience.

Background- The background image is vibrant and loud and full of colour- there is a lot of graffiti up the back wall and it is very packed and has a lot going on which suggests that the magazine is jam packed and you get a lot for your money.

Rule of thirds/ the left third- the left third tends to be left free for key content and sell lines, there is a lot of things going on in the left third of this magazine which again shows that the magazine is cluttered and jam packed making its seem fun and exciting. The layout of the rule of thirds also adds interest to the target audience

Masthead- The masthead is bold and big, it is in capitals so it clearly stands out and grabs the readers attention. The use of this and the bright red colouring suggests the magazine is fun and entertaining.

Use of the flasher- The use of the flasher is to offer something extra to the target audience and make the magazine seem like it is jam packed and has a lot of things going on. The use of the bold red background of the flasher on the white background of the magazine cover and the words “wowee zowee” makes the flasher stand out and seem fun and exciting which relates to the target audience of the magazine and draws them in.

Use of the pull quote- The language in the pull quote is informal such as the use of the word “man” which shows that this magazine isn’t for class A or class B people and relates specifically to the target audience.

The header- the header tells us what the main thing is in the magazine and what the majority of the magazine is taken up of which would attract the target audience and make them want to buy the magazine.

The masthead- “KERRANG” clearly stands out at the top of the page- it takes up almost a fifth of the page and uses a dramatic font style- like broken glass, this suggests rebellion and relates genre of the magazine which is rock as it is generally associated with breaking rules. The use of the exclamation mark is more dramatic as if to stress the sound of the word- like it is being shouted.

The main image& pull quote - The image is a mid shot of the lead singer from 30 seconds to mars (Jared Leto) this is clearly shown by the large caption in the middle of the image and the writing either side of it. He is looking straight at the camera with his head turned to the side and looks serious and almost as if he is planning something. He is wearing a black leather looking jacket and as his fist in his other hand as if he wanting/ready for a fight which is a sign of rebellion, he looks like a strong , intimidating man and someone you wouldn’t want to mess with- this is also suggested by the use of the pull quote saying “ I could be your worst enemy” , this type of image relates with the genre of music.

Background- The background is plain silver and doesn’t include any image, this is done to make the main image and copy stand out and draw the target audience’s attention to the main text on the page, it also makes the image look more dominating and adds effect as it makes him appear more intimidating and serious.

Barcode-date/issue/price- The barcode is an essential element for a magazine in order for people to be able to buy it. It contains the date, issue number and price and is a small box which is normally towards the bottom right hand corner of the page so that it is out the way from the main copy.

The main cover line- anchors the main image so that everyone knows what band this man is from and who he is. The font is in a dominating bold red colour so that it stands out and again matches the mood of the image/man as it could suggest blood and the idea of him wanting a fight. It is also placed on a black see through background which adds more affect and draws more attention to it.

The sell lines/cover lines- the sell lines are used to tell the audience what it is the magazine and entice them to buy it. The use of the different bright colours on the dark background makes them stand out and draw attention to them and the way that the different bands are listed here makes it seem like there is a lot going on in the magazine , this is particularly suggested by the use of the word “plus” as well, which is in a contrasting colour to the bands below to add more effect and stand out more.

The header- the header tells us one of the main things that will be in the magazine and advertises a key article that will be featured in this copy. The use of the word “exclusive!” makes it seem like it is a showbiz feature and makes it fun and exciting, it gives the audience the feeling that it is something they wouldn’t want to miss, and ! At the end of the word also adds effect and dramatises it to stress this point. Use of the flasher- The use of the flasher is to offer something extra to the target audience and make the magazine seem like it is jam packed and has a lot of things going on. The use of the bold red background of the flasher makes the white text stand out and also stands out on the silver background of the magazine cover makes the flasher stand out and seem fun and exciting- the use of the “!” also dramatises the text making it seem like the audience will actually “meet alice in chains” and it makes it seem like this is a huge once in a life time opportunity and better than what it actually is.

Rule of thirds/ the left third- the left third tends to be left free for key content and sell lines, there isn't much going on in the left third of this magazine which makes the information in the left third stand out as it spaced out on the page so it draws more attention to the copy. The layout of the rule of thirds also adds interest to the target audience.

The Masthead- “top of the pops” clearly stands out at the to of the page and uses a girly child like font style which relates to the target audience being young females, the uses of the girly pink colour also emphasises this and the white border also helps it to stand out.

The main image – the main image is long shot of a pop group called the Jonas brothers ( this is clearly shown by the large caption placed across the middle of the image. The group are looking straight at the camera and they all look friendly, happy and like they have warm and inviting personalities. They are dressed in casual clothes and look like average teenagers, this relates with the genre of music as it is normally cheerful, young, energetic and positive music.

Background- The background is a plain pink colour and doesn’t include any image, this is done to make the main image and copy stand out and draw the target audience’s attention to the main text on the page, it also makes the image more dominating and adds effect as it makes the group appear more friendly, happy and inviting so it makes the magazine more enticing

The main cover line& pull quote- anchors the main image so that everyone knows who the group are. The font is in bright pastel colours so that it stands out and again matches the mood of the genre of music and the target audience as they’re young girly colours that represent cheerfulness. The text “the Jonas brothers come clean about everything” Is on a bright pink background so it stands out and the use of the underlining on the word everything- emphasizes that they have told the magazine a lot of things and suggests gossip which relates to the target audience and makes them want to buy it. Also the use of the pull quote “ no more secrets” above backs up this point and stands out well on the bright yellow background to draw attention it and entices the audience to buy the magazine

The footer- at the bottom of the page just lists other pop bands that will feature in the magazine. The use of the word “plus” at the beginning of the footer suggests there’s loads going on in the magazine

Barcode-date/issue/price- The barcode is an essential element for a magazine in order for people to be able to buy it. It contains the date, issue number and price and is a small box which is normally towards the bottom right hand corner of the page so that it is out the way from the main copy.

The sell line/cover lines- the sell lines are used to tell the audience what it is the magazine and entice them to buy it. There are quite a few cover lines on this magazine which suggests that it is jam packed and there is loads going on, all sells lines are all In bright colours and on a different coloured background so they stand out and catch the attention of the target audience. Again the colours all appear to/relate to the target audience.

Use of the flasher- The use of the flasher is to offer something extra to the target audience and make the magazine seem like it is jam packed and has a lot of things going on. The use of the bright yellow background of the flasher makes the black text stand out and also stands out on the pink background of the magazine cover makes the flasher stand out and seem fun and exciting- the use of the words “OMG! shocking REAL LIFE SPECIAL inside” dramatises the feature and makes it seem like it really is shocking so it makes the audience want to buy it , also the use of the capital letters makes the text stand out as if it is shouting at you, “OMG!” suggests that the audience will be truly shocked/amazed by the feature and that it is unexpected , and the use of the exclamation mark emphasises this. Also “OMG” is particularly related to being the speech of a young person so it relates to the T.A

Rule of thirds/the left third- the left third tends to be left free for key content and sell lines, there is quite a lot going on in the left third of this magazine which makes it seems jam packed and like there is loads inside the magazine and adds to the excitement. The layout of the rule of thirds also adds interest to the target audience.