Entertainment Magazine Codes + Conventions - Contents

On a typical Magazine Contents page a reader may find a large section of text, the masthead, explaining that it is in fact the 'Contents' page they are reading, it is rare to find contents pages which do not state that it is a contents, in a typical magazine. On the Entertainment Magazine contents for 'Vibe' Magazine to the right, the masthead's text is split up onto three different lines, this makes the page seem trendy and unusual, appealing to a teenage or younger audience as it is an exciting and unique layout to the page.
 Often the contents state which magazine the reader is looking through, this is a reminder to the reader which magazine company has produced this exclusive content and different pages of articles and interviews. To the right the contents page for 'Vibe' includes a large grey 'V' behind the image of West, giving the reader a hint as to the title of the magazine they are reading as they flick through, this means the title is drilled through to the reader allowing it to be memorable if this is the first time they have ever read it or looked through it in a shop.
Sometimes the contents include which month or week the magazine was released and which issue number it is, this may be to make sure the reader is aware of when  the next magazine may be released and how often they are created, they can also be aware of how many issues the magazine company have produced since its establishment. Usually the contents page only includes a maximum of three images, often they feature only one image of a popular artist in which many people or the target audience may recognise.
An example of this is on the contents page featuring the famous American rapper, Kanye West, whom many people who lived as a teenager throughout the early 2000s to modern day would be aware of. This issue includes only one photo, of a popular artist, and states that this page is the contents on the page, so the reader is aware that this page will give them an insight into what they will be reading about in the magazine and whether Kanye West is involved in the articles or interviews.
As a reader may find on typical magazine contents, the photo of the artist or celebrity usually uses direct address, this is often to grab the readers attention and notice the person on the page straight away. It then may encourage the reader to read on in the magazine to the sections which involve Kanye West, for example, to find out more about why his expression is so serious and why he is wearing quite a smart outfit of a suit jacket.
On the contents page shown above information is included on what can be found inside the magazine under the section of features, in which three key parts of the magazine are shown, often only a few features of the magazine are shown to the reader on the contents. This may be so the key sections of the magazine are advertised straight away to the reader, for example the article including West is at the prioritised at the top of the list of features, as the photo of him may make the reader eager to read more about him if they are wondering whether he is releasing music, why an arm is holding a heart across his body on the contents and if they do not know about him as a rapper, learn about who he is as an artist.
 There is also a separate contents section on fashion features, which may appeal to those who read the magazine and enjoy learning about the latest trends in clothing and accessories. Also this fashion page is separate to the magazine features on the page making it appealing to the reader as it is not part of the bulk of features on the page, meaning it is different and extra special content to the other parts of the entertainment magazine.
On many magazine contents it tends to be less cluttered and more structured than a typical gossip magazine contents, such as Top of the Pops' contents, as presented on the right, as it means the magazine seems more sleek and classy, for example above there are simple monochrome colours used and basic easy to read fonts, meaning it can be read by many different age groups as it is not too flashy, overwhelming or jam packed with information of what the reader can find in their magazine. Some older readers may want to read a magazine with clear to read sections like this contents page above meaning it is easy to read and caters for the whole demographic.