Music magazine codes & conventions

Double page spreads

Headline• Headline is the biggest font as it needs to be able to be seen easily

and clearly.• It is also always a unique font as it needs to stand against the rest of

the fonts.

Column structure• There are usually 3-4 columns in a 2 page spread and they mostly

contain the main body text and secondary images.

Main body text• The main body text is the most used text in the whole article.• It has to be a simple font and easy to read as it is the text that makes

up the bulk of the article.

Main image• The main image usually takes up one full page of the article.• It has to be visually interesting and relevant to the article.• The mise en scene of the article also has top be relevant to the topic

and has to fit the genre of music.

Drop cap• The drop cap is the first letter of the article and is a lot bigger than

any of the other main body text.• It is used to signify where the article starts.

Stand first• The stand first gives the reader some information about the article

quickly.• It is usually smaller than the headline but larger font than the main

body text.

Pull quote• The pull quote is a quote taken from the main article and enlarged to

be more visible.• It is designed to pull the audience in and attract them to read it.

Secondary images• Secondary images are smaller images that go can go along with the

article or can be irrelevant to the main article.

1 page for image 1 page for text• Usually on a two page spread there is a full page designated for the

main image and 1 page for the text.• Sometimes the image can even ‘bleed’ onto the second page which

means that it crosses over the middle to the page with the text.

Byline• The byline of a double page spread gives the reader information

about the author, date of the article and the name of the article.• It is usually located underneath the stand first but can be in other

places like near the image.