Magazine Conventions and Terms

Notes on some conventions associated with magazines:

These should be seen in both your research AND your actual product!
o Masthead position, size and the style (i.e. the style must match the genre of your magazine and appeal to your target audience Kerrang uses a broken concrete font which is totally suitable for a rock magazine) Type of shot used on the cover often mid shot Mode of address is the image looking directly at the camera direct mode of address but also more generally can refer to the way a magazine speaks to its audience Left hand third on front page conventional to put a lot of the cover lines (summaries of the most enticing features and articles which are inside a magazine)down the left side of the page Mixture of fonts used on front page although no more than three really. Other ways to make text stand out involve capitalization of individual words or phrases, putting single, key words into colour or a different font or font style (italics) After the masthead, the next largest font on the front page will belong to the most important coverline and so on. The main image will be anchored by the most important text. Use of buzz words such as free, exclusive, only Banners on front page to add additional lists of contents - for example list of bands covered in a music magazine. Consider rule of thirds when constructing your front cover Often, inside pages will have 3 columns of text notice how all the space is used dont skimp on text yourself and remember articles will be written in size 8 or 9 point font! Inside articles (double page spread) should have headline, byline (name of writer), standfirst (brief explanation of what the article is about below the headline/introductory paragraph before main article), grab/pull quotes (quotes from the article in a larger font placed within and around the article), page numbers, picture credits

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Additional terms:
Tag a word or phrase used to engage a readers interest in a story by categ orizing it e.g. Exclusive, Sensational Gutter space between two columns House style rules for a particular Magazine on spelling , punctuation and abbreviation Sans-serif- a typeface without a bar or foot Serif the little bars added to the ends of letters in a typeface Tagline The description of the magazine brand normally found under the masthead e.g. The world's biggest dance music and clubbing magazine" Mixmag, A Different Take on Music Q Magazine Rooflines - a string of coverlines above the logo across the top of the cover Corner snipes -a diagonal band across the top-left corner touting a special story