Contents Page Research

Callum Lamb

What is the purpose of a contents page?

The purpose of a contents page is to inform the reader about many of the articles and features within the magazine and the pages on which you can find them. Some of these articles will be anchored to an image to show the reader what they are featuring. Often, a contents page will include a message from the editor, welcoming readers to the magazine and glancing over a topic that the reader may find interesting.

Typical Conventions of a contents page

Contents pages usually follow a house design and are easy to read. They use colours that are relevant to the magazine and are usually the same or similar to the cover page. They are normally one to two pages long and are set out in columns, normally 3-4 to make them easier to read. They also have a large image of a feature article and a few secondary images relating to other articles. These images are usually anchored with a number to show which story it relates to. The is also sometimes a letter from the editor, welcoming the ready to the magazine and what they can expect from this edition.

House Style definition

House style is the specific usage and editing conventions followed by writers and editors in a publication. The colour scheme, fonts and layout will all become consistent with the magazine giving it a personal and familiar feel on most pages.

Examples of House StyleBoth the cover and the contents page use a black and gold theme that maintains the house style and a sense of familiarity to the reader.

The contents page also has an image of the cover that is used to credit photographers and advertise clothing that is featured.

The contents page uses the same basic fonts as the cover.- About 3 different fonts used consistently.

The contents page repeats the title of the magazine to maintain familiarity within the publication.

Contents Page Analysis 1

Highlights the main features of the magazine. Doesn’t show all of the articles, only what the editors think the customer will be most interested in.

Common features that can be found in every edition- This may give a reader something to look forward to for next month.

Details of a feature topic/article, in this case the band ‘Oasis’. The band may be popular at the time in order to appeal to a large proportion of the target audience.

Smaller sections of information on what a reader may be interested in. Page numbers included for a quick reference to the articles. A secondary image is included here to catch a readers attention.

A large main image used to highlight a feature article/band. Readers who are fans of the group would instantly know who it is and be intrigued to find more information. A reference is anchored to the picture to give a little more information. This includes a page number so the reader can find the article quickly.

Contents Page Analysis 2

Highlights the main features of the magazine. Headings draw the eye and separate the different types of features. Yellow text with black highlighting also draws attention and fits with the theme of the ‘Contents’ heading. Set out in a column which gives an concise, easy to read aesthetic to the contents page.

Large primary image shows the feature article and draws the readers eye. There are also many secondary images to display features in the magazine. All of these images are anchored with a small caption and a page number so that readers can find the article quickly.

Quote from Kirk Hamett of Metallica. This will appeal to fans of the band who will want to hear his opinions on other newer bands. A small caption includes the page number for quick reference.

Message from the editor welcomes the reader to the magazine and features some of the articles within. This makes the reader feel as though the magazine is talking directly to them and preserves a familiar and friendly feel to the magazine.

My Student Magazine Contents Page Sketch.

Creating a House Style for my Student Magazine.

My contents page will be similar to my front cover in many ways in order to create a definitive house style.I will use the same two font choices (Impact and Century Gothic) and colour scheme (Red, black and white) that I used on my front cover. This will create a familiar feel that persists throughout the magazine.