1. Contents Page Analysis: We Love Pop
The contents page follows the general layout
conventions of a standard contents page
there is a similar colour scheme used on it as
there was on the front cover to maintain
brand identity, along with the brand logo
being printed in the corner. There are many
images used which the text is wrapped in to
make it more interesting to look at, and a
comic strip effect used at the bottom which
is fun and interesting to look at which would
appeal to the target audience more.
The title at the top of the page is similar to
the name of the magazine which again
reinforces brand identity. The title is ‘We
love this…’ which is a way of telling the
audience the magazine likes the same things
as they do which is a way of connecting with
them and sounds quite conversational. The ellipses is a way of enticing the audience into
wanting to find out what there is inside. The font is bold and larger in contrast to the
surrounding text which draws more attention to it and makes it clear that it is the title of the
page.
The use of images makes the magazine come across as more fun, and makes the text look
more interesting with all the brightly coloured images around it. This is very much a genre
specific use of iconography. The images appear to be quite comical and humorous as manly
of the celebrities have very exaggerated, comical facial expressions and posture which would
appeal to the playful, young target audience.
The articles inside are presented in an exciting, bright way to draw the reader in. The articles
are mixed with fashion, gossip and music so that there appears to be more variety for the
interests of readers. The reader’s interest is sparked by the way the information is presented
as there are buzz words used for example ‘Alert’ and ‘Phwoartastic’. They also show genre as
this is typical teen girl slang. The text and page numbers are written in alternating pink and
black font which is more interesting to look at, and the page numbers are in a slightly larger,
bolder text so that is clear where you can find the article you are most interested in.
The editor’s letter is also full with girly teen slang to show that she can connect with the
target audience well, for example she describes the issue ‘full of wow-mazing pop wonders’
which also creates a level of excitement amongst readers. She signs the letter with ‘Emily x’ in
a doodled font which is a very feminine way of signing off, and goes with the overall mode of
address. The letter is showcased on the left side of the page, next to a colourful picture of a
popular pop girl group which would draw more attention to it.
2. The layout of the contents page is kept very similar every week in order to maintain brand
identity. The colours which dominate the page are the bright pink and black contrasting
colours used in the contents list. This also fits with the brand identity as pink is a girly colour,
and black is a bold colour to make the text more obvious and defined to that the eye is drawn
to it. It also tones down the pink so that it is not too over powering.
A stylistic feature is how the masthead is designed in a speech bubble to go with the slightly
cartoon style, and all the quotations used from celebrities are written in blue. The font is
mainly kept the same throughout, though in different size and colours to express the mood
and importance of that piece of text. They maintain brand identity as they are in a slightly
pop-art, bold, eye catching style.
3. Contents Page Analysis: Top of the
Pops
The contents page for this pop magazine
follows the general layout conventions of
a standard contents page as there is a title
informing you of what is inside, there are
page numbers telling you where to locate
all the articles and many images
representing genre.
The title is ‘Inside the mag…’, which
immediately indicates genre by the
shortened word for magazine as it is quite
a girly, relaxed way of referring to the
magazine. This shows that the mode of
address is quite relaxed and chatty. This is
emphasised by the doodle-type font. It is
surrounded by a bright pink strip which
draws more attention to it, along with the
white contrasting font.
Lots of images are used on this contents
page, mainly of fashionable clothes, perfume, and pop artists which immediately suggests
that this magazine is aimed at a younger audience, particularly girls. It is also very genre
specific. An image of the front cover is also used with arrows showing what page numbers
the cover lines are on, which gives it a look of being slightly scrapbook like and messy, but in
a creative girly way. It also makes it easier for younger readers to understand. The images
draw the reader in as they are of popular artists which would make the audience want to
learn more about their favorite pop stars and bands.
The articles inside are also presented in a scrapbook style, as the more important articles are
highlighted. The topics are divided into boys, celebrities and gossip, shopping, all about you
and wins and offers. This suggests the reader’s interests are very much typical of young
teens. The reader’s interest is sparked by sections being highlighted, and some sections but
into bold font to draw more attention to it. Also by using direct address. The mode of address
is quite casual as gossipy which directly appeals to the target audience’s interests and
personality. The presentation of the text and numbers is using black writing and bright pink
numbers. These two colors are very common to see in pop magazines.
The layout on the contents page, like the front cover is bright and busy. This is because a
young target audience could get bored of reading large chunks of text so in order to make it
more interesting there is a large mix or images, different sized chunks of text all presented in
different ways and many different bright colors.
4. The color which dominates the contents page is bright pink. This is an exciting, feminine color
which directly appeals to the target audience as it is fun and very eye catching. This color is
also being used to maintain brand identity as many of the front cover’s heavily feature this
color. One stylistic feature used is adding images of what the section is about, for example for
the fashion section there are images placed with it of various fashionable accessories. This
makes it more interesting to look at. The font is mainly kept the same throughout as the rest
of the page is already quite busy. The writing is bold and black which contrasts with the bright
girly surroundings. The doodled font is creative and creates the effect that someone has
written it. This gives a more personal touch, and maintains the brand identity as this doodled
front frequently appears on the magazine front covers.
