Research On Codes and Conventions (Contents Page)

The Issue number is most of the time positioned in the top left or right corner of the contents page. Normally by the magazine title. The Issue date is usually positioned with the issue number, they are shown together on the front cover and the contents also. The main image on the contents page suggests it will be the main, most important story in the magazine. It is usually positioned in the middle or towards the side of the page. It is framed by the rest of the text.

Masthead is usually in the top left hand corner of the contents page.

Category headings ‘in every issue’, ‘regulars’, ‘every month’ This is usually on the left of the page, also the last of the headings, near the bottom of the page. Eg. Subscriptions, puzzles, competitions

The contents page is laid out into 3 or 4 columns, they are to the side of the main image. As if they are framing the image. They never overlap or cover the image.

Font is usually in size 11pt, numbers may be bigger and obviously the ‘contents’ title. Editors letters, Some magazines have messages from the editors who produced the months magazine. These are usually in either of the bottom corners of the contents page.

The front cover of contents pages may have a small copy of the magazine front cover, they put page numbers in circles to show which story is on which page. This makes it quicker for the audience to locate the page they want.