How does the contents page follow general and layout conventions?

The contents page maintains the brand identity of ‘we love pop’ by using the same colours and fonts throughout, while having ‘we love pop’ in the corner. It also establishes its own style by having the ‘o’ in love filled in, and by putting they’re own personal twist on it for example, the editors letter whilst also keeping the conventions too. It is conventional to find an editor’s letter on the contents page, which this magazine has done; this is because it gives the magazine a personal and friendly feel, pulling the reader into buying the magazine. It is also conventional to include pull quotes, and that is something that this contents page has done, for example, ‘UK girls have dirtier mouths’, as this gives readers a preview of what the interview is going to be about. Images feature that relate to the content inside, while the colour scheme reflects the readership, and the pop genre.

The first thing that the reader is presented with ‘We love this…’ The tells the readership that they will probably love it as well, and ‘we’ gives a friendly feel to the magazine. ‘We love’ is also a link to the name of the magazine, therefore continuing this idea and strengthening the audience’s awareness of the brand name. This is reinforced by it sitting in the top corner as well, reminding the audience of the genre and femininity of the magazine. The ellipsis suggests that there is so much more inside the magazine, and directs the reader’s eye to the main contents. The use of ellipsis on the title also builds anticipation and excitement. The words are written in capital black letters, on top of a white background; ensuring that it stands out so that the reader’s eyes go directly to it first.

At the bottom of the page, ‘hot posters’ is written in a puff like object, along with images of all the posters included in the magazine; this would attract the readership to buying the magazine. There are a variety of artists on the posters in this issue, showing that there will be something for every reader.

Next to the editors letter is an image of the Saturdays with the editor, showing a good relationship between them, especially because they are ‘snuggled up’. The audience will admire, respect, and trust in the magazine more if they think that they get up close with the celebs and have a good, friendly chat. This idea is heightened through the use of mode address/language:' snuggled up’. This is effective because it will make the readership feel like the content in the magazine is genuine, because the writer actually spoke to Saturdays, and got the gossip first hand. Also, it gives the impression that there is a good rapport between them, and this is good news because the reader’s will know that the magazine have become close with them, and found out true secrets. Also, the image does not look posed for, but looks casual; like a group of friends hanging out.

The letter from the editor is positioned in the middle left of the contents page and is both friendly, and informal. Mode of address in the editor’s letter such as ‘wowmazing’ and ‘soz’ is used to echo the language that the audience use themselves, making them feel the magazine is on the same wavelength as them, and giving it a ‘friend to friend’ feel. The letter is signed off with ‘Emily x’, and there is no doubt that this mode of address with reinforce the readership’s beliefs that the magazine is a friend to them, who they can talk to, and share all the new gossip with. The use of a kiss at the end of the editors letter reinforces this friendly tone, and tells the reader that she is talking directly to them, the same way that they’d talk to their friends through text. The use of a script font to close the letter adds to this, while the handwritten, youthful, relaxed typeface makes the letter seem even more friendly and personal.

The contents themselves are placed in a box in the bottle left of the page, but the readership would look here because it is in the left hand third. Pink and black are used, to show continuity between the magazine’s colour theme, and because pink is a feminine colour, and black stands out. The colours are alternated for each article, which separates each article clearly for the reader. A little bit of information is added with each article, following conventions of contents pages. Just enough detail is given so the reader will want to go to page to read about it, without giving everything away at all. Setting mode of address, youthful and informal language is use like ‘topless alert!!!’ and ‘phwoartastic fitness for you to witness’ –using this rhyme and this slang will remind the girls that the magazine is their friend. ‘We bagged Joey Essex’ and ‘Lawson lay out their 2013 plans’ suggest that they are getting access to information that would not be accessible anywhere else, which would intrigue the reader because they would want to find out. The content of the magazine would interest the reader, for example, ‘undress 1D for completely free’. This article would attract the young audience because One Direction are famous worldwide, and young girls would like to find out more about them. ‘Free’ also intrigues the audience, because everybody loves a freebie.

The sell-lines on the front cover however, are not mentioned in the ‘inside this month…’ section; instead they are on the right hand side of the page, along with a picture, and a brief bit of information about each, following conventions. This is successful because readers will be able to find the articles that interested them on the front cover easily, instead of having to read through all the articles. The page number is in yellow, and the sell-line is in blue, while the piece of information is black.

The celebrities in the images are looking at the camera, giving direct address to the audience, but instead of smiling, they are pulling funny faces; this links to the quirky and fun genre of pop, and the magazine. This links to the target audience because it makes them look youthful, and the young girls may also pull these faces in photos with their friends. Slang is used again, reflecting the young audience, making the magazine a friend to the readership. The main sell-line is the biggest image, highlighting the importance of it; the main image is the Saturdays, who are also imaged with the editor, showing that the information is legit.

In the image of The Saturdays, the five girls are dressed up with their hair and makeup done, pulling funny faces. Their dresses are brightly coloured, reflecting the pop genre. The fact that they're showing their more jokey side reflects the youth of themselves, and their readers. Frankie is holding a telephone away from her ear, with her tongue out as if she’s going to be sick; this links to the caption ‘Frankie gets sick of call waiting’. The other band members around her look shocked, as if they’re going to reveal some shocking news if the readers continue reading. Other photos include Justin Bieber with his tongue out, captioned, ‘UK girls have dirtier mouths’, and a picture of the wanted holding a photo frame around them captioned ‘we buy Tesco’s own brand’, showing that they’re down to earth, and being famous and having money hasn’t changed them.

Overall, the contents page is easily digested, and visually attractive to look at. The colours pink, yellow, black and blue dominate the page, reflecting the youthful feminine audience, and the fun genre of pop. The contents page is simple and light, and the readership will be able to navigate her way around the magazine easily.

The general layout of this contents page is successful because it directs readers to everything in the order that the magazine editors want it to be seen. For example, ‘We love this…’ will be seen first because it’s at the top in big, bold, black letters. Next the audience will be reminded by the genre and brand identity of the magazine by seeing the ‘we love pop’ logo. The editor’s letter will be read next, welcoming them to each issue separately. Readers will then look at the main article, in this case The Saturdays, before making their way around to the other articles listed down the right hand side. They’ll then look at the full contents page, and the posters at the bottom of the page.