Codes and conventions of contents page

The contents page of a magazine has;

• The masthead at the top
• Small images of featured articles
• One large image
• Page numbers
• Same colour scheme as front cover
• Same fonts used on front cover
• Ordered (Mostly page order or topics)
• Different groups of articles (e.g real life, celebrity)
• Small copy of the front cover
• Editorial
• Issue date
• Organised
• Columns (2 or 3)
• Subscription details

Codes and conventions of magazine covers

The front cover of a magazine has;

• Masthead at the top
• Featured stories down the sides
• Central image (Main story)
  
• The price
• The issue date
• Buzz words (e.g Free, exclusive, plus)
• Image overlays masthead (Only on some well known)
• Taglines
• Colour theme (Usually about 3 colours)
• Different fonts (Usually about 2/3, not including masthead)
• Central image relates to genre
• Banners (containing a summary of information)
• The magazine's website
• Between 6-20 cover stories
• Smaller images of featured stories (Not all magazines)
  

Evaluation of my magazine front cover and contents page

For my preliminary media coursework task I had to create a front cover and contents page of a new school magazine.

I used Adobe Photoshop for my front cover, which I found quite easy to use as I have used it before, although I did learn how to do some new things on it to make my magazine look more professional. For my front cover I used Quark Express, which I have never used before so it took me a while to get used to it, but when I was used to it i found it very useful as it has a good layout for your magazine.

My finished front cover

Images used before manipulation

These are the images i will manipulate and use on my contents page.

Images used in my magazine

Draft of my contents page

Copy of draft of contents page.

Content that will appear on my contents page

Regular Content Which Will Appear In My School Magazine:

• Editorial
• School clubs news
• Comeptitions
  

Ten Feature Articles Which Will Appear In My Magazine:

• New 6th formers
• New head girl
• School dinners
• Making new friends
• Dealing with work
• School uniform
• Star of the muscial
• Student achievements
• Changes to the school
• Talk with teachers
  

List of Images I Will Use On My Contents Page:

• The school
  
• A teacher/s
  
• Students
  
• Students from the muscial
  

Draft of my front cover

Copy of draft of front cover.

Decisions for my school magazine

Title: WeatherWise
Mise en scene: A medium close up shot of the student who is the star of the school musical, centred and fairly large. Also, a smaller image of a group of Year 12's.

Coverlines:
- Star of high school muscial Kelly Baker!
- We speak to new sixth formers about sixth form life
- Changes to the school and teachers over the summer!
- Homework! KEEP OR GET RID?
- This years upcoming events and trips
- Who will be the new head girl?
- Students achievements in GCSE and A Level
- Win the new must have stationary!