codes and conventions

1. Codes and Conventions of a
double page spread

2. A Large image
The image often uses direct address to entice the audience making them want to buy it. It is
mostly common for the main image to be on the left hand side but some magazines dont follow
the codes and conventions and therefore place it on the right. Quite often the main image
spreads onto both pages but this isn’t in every music magazine. The picture on the double page
spread always relates to the article and the artist and are ascetically pleasing.

3. Drop Cap
A drop cap is a single letter that is highlighted or made bigger to
indicate the beginning of the article. It shows the reader where the
article begins and which order to read it in. Quite often one or more is
used, this is the case if there’s an interview with in the article. This
singles out the interview showing where it starts.

4. Stand First
A stand first introduces the celebrity featured on the front cover. This is for the
benefit of the people who may not know who the celebrity is and gives them a
quick idea allowing them to know who they are reading about.

5. Pull Quote.
A quote from the interview is usually placed on top of the large image or as the title or
somewhere in the text. The quote is usually something shocking to grip the reader. It’s
pulled away from the main body text and is made to stand out from the rest of the text by
having a different font or colour. It gives the reader a taste of what the double page spread
contains.

6. The Text (columns)
All text on a double page spread is size 11and is usually a basic font such as aerial,
however in certain magazines they pick fonts to match the genre of their magazine.
The text is arranged into 2-4 columns depending on how much writing there is to make
the page look organised and easy to read. The page number, text throughout the
magazine and the masthead usually are the same font.

7. Main Body Text
This is the main text on the double page spread, which is the interview and also
maybe a review. It usually links to the main cover line and image on the cover of
the magazine

8. By-lines
The double page spread includes by-lines which are positioned under the
images to give credit to the photographer and writer.

9. House Style
The double page spread in a magazine follow the same colours that are featured
throughout the magazine. Depending on the genre the colours will either by quite
simple (Q) or the magazine might be busy with colours that represent the genre
(Kerrrang). Important words, names etc will be highlighted in a different colour that
stands out to the reader. The text also matches the genre of the music magazine.

10. Magazine promotion
The magazine double page spread features the celebrity/artist/bands name to help
promote the magazine. The particular band/artist will help gain a target audience.
It’s usually made quite prominent on the page by being in a different font, bolder, or
highlighted.

11. Page number
The page number is almost always located in the bottom left hand corner
indicating what page the article is featured on.

12. Banners
A banner on a double page spread usually contains some key information
that they want the reader to read first. It contains information that may
entice the reader without them having to read too much.

13. Headings and Sub-headings
A heading is usually in a larger font than the rest of the main body text to attract the
reader to the story. It’s used to summarise what the overall story is about without
giving too much away.
A sub-heading does a similar job, it attracts the readers eye giving a small idea
about the text.