Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions
All magazines tend to follow basic codes and conventions. An example of this is that they all have a masthead. The masthead will usually be at the top of the page and will often be quite large in order for it to stand out to the audience. As well as this there would usually be a large main image that takes up most of the front cover as this will be the main focal point. There may also be some smaller images around it. another factor they all share is that they will have the date and issue number somewhere on the cover of the magazine.

Different genres of magazines use different types of font. The rock genre of magazine will often use bold block writing that stands out whereas girly pop magazines tend to use more bubbly writing to match the light hearted tone of the magazine and appeal to the appropriate audience.

Magazines will often try to appeal to a larger audience by offering free gifts or prizes that can be won through competitions. This tends to make people more interested in buying the magazine even if they aren't a regular buyer as they may like the idea of a free gift or the chance to win a prize.

Also they will use quotes and pictures from the feature stories in order to give the audience a taste of what is going to be included in the magazine. By reading the quotes it may make them want to read the full article so will therefore buy the magazine.

The codes and conventions will differ as to what genre the magazine is. Different genres will have different colour schemes to match the mood of the magazine for example NME magazine uses a colour scheme of dull colours such as black, white, grey and then a main colour that will stand out like red.