Media Evaluation

ByMark Leonard

Question 1:• 1 INTRODUCTION TO FORMS AND CONVENTIONS

• It is useful to begin this answer by explaining that you appreciate that almost all media products follow forms and conventions for recognition and familiarity.

• Image to use: You can prove this by print screening a google image search for music magazine covers showing how all covers look similar, you can do the same for contents and articles. Or putting specific image examples of magazine covers, contents and articles.

Front Cover Conventions• Music magazines tend to follow a list of conventions. From these music

magazines you can see that they all have a large centralised image.• The names of the mags seem to be positioned in the top left corner or in

the centre. They don’t appear to be in the top right corner of the cover.• The covers have text that surrounds the cover image or go over it.• Some of the mags don’t just tell readers about music. Some tell readers

about the latest “celebrity gossip” and “fashions”.• Most front covers follow a grid system.

My Front Cover

Grid system towards the bottom.

The front cover looses it’s grid system look, to be replaced with a more geological look, as rocks are commonly dipped in the earth. This can represent a double meaning in the name.

Banner

People in the picture giving a direct mode of address

Pug, giving an incentive.

Contents Conventions• Some contents pages have the name of the magazines name at the top of

the page. The page numbers and names are usually in columns.• Some list the name of this page (Contents) at the top of the page, either next

to the image or the repeated title.• Near the top or bottom of the page, the contents page will have the date

and/or the issue number.• There may be an image related to the main article or a less important article.

My Contents page

Contents of the magazine.In columns

Date and issue number

Images related to articles

Double Page Spread Conventions• Double page spreads consist usually of 300-400 words, a large

image/several small images, changes in text size and vibrant colour schemes.

• When the image is a large singular image. It the image will usually be of an artists face or the whole band together.

• The articles usually have a headline/title and a stand first before the main text. The text is usually in columns.

Double page spread conventions

300-400 words

Picture of the whole band.

Image is direct mode of address

Title Stand first