CONTENTS PAGES:
1.The function of a contents page is to allow
the reader to see what features the magazine 1.The function of a contents page is to allow
contains and where they are located within the
magazine. It enables them a quick method of
navigation through the magazine, where they
can easily find the articles they are most
interested in reading.
2.A reader uses the contents page by scanning
the information to see which articles they are
interested in and they using the corresponding
page reference to find it.
3.A conventional layout for contents pages
includes a heading such as "contents" or
"features" etc. They almost always feature
images related to the main articles, with the
corresponding page references in bold. A
selection of the smaller articles are then listed
with their page references in columns. Layouts
vary depending on whether the contents page
is a double page spread or single. For example,
a double page spread is more likely to have more
than one column of page references.
4.A conventional design for a contents page
typically includes a bold heading, white background
so that the articles and page references are clear
to read and a selection of additional images. Fonts
are generally simple and easily readable and images
are easy to identify. Sometimes shapes such as
arrows, circles, or stars are used to highlight certain
information.
5.The amount of information that contents pages contain
may vary. Again it usually depends on the size of the
magazine. They usually contain a lot of information,
but about multiple topics. Text information gives a small
insight into what each article is about, but nothing more.
Whilst photographic information allows us to visualise it.
6.The content of its information includes page
references, small amounts of information about
articles and perhaps a message from the magazine editor.
7.Images are used on the contents pages to help the
reader recognise articles more quickly. They are often
placed in the centre if the contents are on a double
page spread. Depending on the amount of content
within the magazine, there may be more or less images.
Some contents pages have a main image for their main
article if it's particularly important. Others have
multiple images of equal size.
(Empire magazine often uses a double page spread with ten images in the centre which include pictures of the actual articles for the reader to see)
8.The language used is often not complex, it is simple
and easily understandable for the reader. It is
often aimed to be attractive to the reader and
as there is little space to give information
about each article, sometimes slang or abbreviations
are used. As well as witty or catchy titles to
interest the reader.
9.The key codes and conventions include a heading
that shows or implies that it is a contents page,
in a bold and clear font which is easily
identifiable . As well as clear, well
organised layouts of text and eye-catching font.
There will always be page references that
are straightforward for the reader to find,
and images that are key to the articles inside.
10.The function of a contents page prevents it
from being overloaded with text. The layout
must be spaced out and clear so that readers
can find page references with ease and must
only contain small chunks of texts. The
article descriptions must be short but still
gain the readers' interest and correspond
appropriately to their content. Because the
function of a contents page is to allow the
reader to navigate through the magazine, the
layout needs to include an image/images
corresponding to the main article/articles
to allow certain pages to be easily located.
And also needs to make page references
stand out to the reader using bold text or
colour against a white background which
affects the design.
