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.

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.

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.

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.