Contents page analysis 2

The contents page is used to allow the readers to know what is featured in the magazine. ‘Music’ uses images on their contents page; this is a typical convention seen on content pages. Images are used to help the reader familiarise themselves with the people who will be appearing inside he magazine. The use of limited colours allows the magazine to look organised, and the copy can be read clearly.

Although on the magazine content page it doesn’t mention the magazine name or the date, these conventions are seen on the front page. However, the name of the magazine is mentioned in the website address and is written in the colour red, different to the rest of the colour of the website address. Some of the typical conventions found on this content page are; the use of image and the amount of colour used.  The images used help to draw attention to the reader and attract them. The images say who they are and what page they are featured on. For example, ‘Page 48: we talk to composer George Crumb’ this attracts the audience as they are able to see who is featured and if they are interested can quickly see what page they need to turn to. The use of two colours (red and black) under the word Contents which is written in white on a red back ground helps the information to stand out. Each heading is written in red, however, underneath is a sentence written in black summarising the point in red. This attracts the audience as they can see what each article is about and encourages them to read on. The use of limited colour makes the contents look well structured and helps the different key information to stand out. The titles every month and features, are conventional on a contents page. Every month suggest the typical things you’d expect to see in this particular classical magazine, and if you’re a regular reader allows you to familiarise yourself with this section. This also creates a unique selling point for the consistent buyers of the magazine ‘Music’. Under the features, it states the different kinds of articles that are written in this magazine. This persuades the readers to buy the magazine, or if bought to read on.

‘February Reviews’ gives the magazine a unique selling point. This suggests the magazine does different reviews each month, and may attract more readers. ‘Reviewed by the world’s leading critics’ connotes the featured information is done by professional people, and this may attract the buyers to read the reviews. As this section of writing is based on a creamy colour it stands out from the white and appeals to the audience as they are able to easily see it. The editor’s review is also based on another colour (grey); this helps for the section to stand out. The floating quote ‘Which are the discs you’d like to see win a BBC Music Magazine Award?’ draw the readers in to read the editorial. The website name of the magazine is displayed twice in this section; once in bold and in brackets within the text and once right at the end and in bold. As mentioned before the name of the magazine is also written in the top left hand corner of the magazine. This repetition helps the readers remember the website url especially as it has changed (as stated in the left hand corner).

The main image is of Jacqueline du Pré, who is playing the cello. She is also seen on the front page and is again playing a cello, however both pictures are different. The one on the front cover is black and white whereas the content page picture is in colour. The medium close-up allows us to see the mise-en-scene; her white clothing which is mostly plain with two strips on the sleeve, this is ironic as she specialises in classical music and classical musicians tend to wear causal and wear light colours. This shot also allows us to see her concentrated face while she’s playing the cello. There are three other images, these showing people who are being featured in this issue. Unlike the main image, the four males within the three pictures are all looking at the camera. This could suggest their trying to appeal to them as they may not be as well known as Jacqueline. With each picture, there’s a sentence stating who they are. On one of the pictures it says ‘Maurizio Pollini grants us a rare interview’ this could be seen as a unique selling point for the magazine, as the word rare connotes the interview is unusual, and no other classical magazine will have this interview. The readers are also able to see the editor image, if they read the editorial and the images of the month’s contributors for the magazine.