When analysing the contents pages I wanted to make
sure that I used the same magazine as the front
cover, however I wasn’t able to do this for both Classical Music magazine and
NME. This meant that I had to use a different contents from another issue of
the magazine, and in the classical music case I had to use a magazine contents
that simply shared the same genre. Although this maybe doesn’t make my research
as accurate I was still able to establish the same idea of what each magazine includes
in order to target their audience.
I found that the magazines continued to use
similar features in their contents from their covers to help create a brand for
their magazine; this included the repetition of the masthead from the cover, just
in a smaller size. Moreover this makes sure that the readers are constantly
reminded of the magazine branding and the reinforcement is made. Another
similarity that all three magazines share is that not all the page numbers are
listed, only the most relevant stories. Likewise they all split the pages so
that they go under different categories; this makes it easier for all readers
to identify which areas they want to read. The difference between them however is that the classical
music contents is kept very simple with plain colour and layout. Whereas the
other magazines which are based around more modern genres of music have busier
and more complex layouts.
The images used on the contents also have
different effects, for example NME has taken its photo so that it looks for the
reader as though they are in the audience. This is more appealing to them as it
becomes more personal, giving readers the inside feel of what it would be like
and enabling them to imagine themselves being there.
Furthermore, Keerang magazine used a large image of a band member signing an
autograph, this is again effective at engaging the reader’s attention and
appealing to them, as they want to know how to get one themselves. I think that
these are both successful ways of appealing to the audience as the magazines
challenged the norm.
In addition I found that the magazines also shared
different use of lexis in the contents, slang and abbreviated words were used
throughout the contents for the rock magazine. This reflects on the genre and
the audience that it targets, that being the younger generation and people who
are into rock music and come across the language frequently. Moreover different
symbols and use of bold and colour are used to make certain information stand
out. The classical music lexis on the other hand is all formal and
sophisticated with no use of abbreviation, reflecting on the genre of music and
suits the target audience well. This highlights to me that lexis can be very
important in appealing to a certain audience, I need to consider who will be
reading my magazine and what they may and may not like to be included in order
for it to be successful. This may require that I do some further research based
on language used by the genre of music I choose in order for me to include
correct terminology relating to that genre.
By looking over other contents pages from each of
the magazine I can recognise repetitive features, these include the fact they
shared the same font, layout and colour scheme so that people know what colour
to relate to the magazine. For example NME magazine has a band index each week,
this is a technique that supports the magazine branding as it is repetitively
used and readers then expect it as part of the magazine. The presumption of
some features by the readers it key to highlight successful branding. In my magazine
I would like to create some unique features that I can use throughout in order
to create my own brand and so that the magazine is recognisable even from the
contents as well.
Overall, these contents pages both challenge and support
convections and the research has enable me to develop a better understand of
what norms to include in my contents. It has also made me more aware of the little
things on the pages that can contribute to making the genre clear and suiting
the target audience. I will be using this gained knowledge in the development
of my own contents.
