Unit 1 FACT SHEET Tyler Smith

Front Cover Analysis

Masthead
The masthead is the name of the magazine, it will stand out through the use of
colour and is always the largest font on the page. The masthead usually spans
across the whole width of the page. The masthead is usually positioned along the
top of the page so it grabs the audience's attention when they read top-down and so
it's clearly visible when they are stacked on top of each other in the shop. The
masthead will signify the genre of the magazine to the audience. The masthead may
be overlapped by the main image if it’s an established brand the name itself often
signifies the genre of the magazine.

The masthead for Take a Break is the largest font on the magazine and is
conventionally placed at the top of the magazine. The colour of the text is white and
the logo background is red which makes the name of the magazine stand out a lot
more. The Take a Break masthead is also placed at the top so when the magazines
are stacked in the shop the logo is at the top. The background is pink, and that could
signify and appeal to the female target audience. The masthead Take a Break
signifies to the audience that they can read this when they’re relaxed. It connotes to
give a break to read about all of the gossip and drama in the magazine.
Main Image
The main image is conventionally positioned in the centre of the magazine cover,
takes up the entire page and is often a close-up or mid shot. Direct address is used
to grab the audience’s attention because it links the audience with the model. The
cover star is usually relevant to the genre of the magazine, and the main image will
often be interesting and engaging to appeal to the audience. Mise en scene (In the
scene) Includes settings, props, expressions, makeup and hair. Mise en scene
creates meaning and understanding for the audience, as it will help the image to be
visually interesting and also signify the genre.

The main image on this issue of Take a Break takes up most of the middle of the
magazine. The model also uses a direct address to connect the model and the
audience together. The main cover line covers the model’s body area but not her
face, which is conventional. The model in the main image is relevant to the magazine
as Take a Break is a women's lifestyle and story magazine. The background is pink,
which has connotations of femininity and signifies that it's a women's magazine. The
photo was taken from a mid shot. The model uses direct address to connect with the
audience and draw them in, the model is giving a big smile which could show that
the audience will be happy when they read this magazine, her clothing is quite plain
and dull coloured which this could be showing that she isn’t a special person, she
may be a Take a Break reader.

Cover Lines
The cover lines are the text that surrounds the main image. They usually link to the
articles inside that issue of the magazine, providing the audience with information.
Conventionally there will be a word that is in a bigger font/ different font/ different
colour to the text underneath. This text appeals to the audience the most so it stands
out. The text underneath is called the subline, which provides more information
about the article.

Take a Break magazine has 5 cover lines all surrounding the model. Conventionally
some of the fonts are in different colours for example the rhetorical question “So who
had we buried?” The use of a rhetorical question may make the audience intrigued
and want to read the article; it also draws suspense. The fonts are all smaller than
the masthead and smaller than the main cover line. In the cover lines the subline at
the bottom of the coverline is in a yellow font and it gives more information to the
audience when they read the front cover. Another article that is in a smallish white
font has a little bit of writing in a yellow font saying “now I’m doing this” may draw the
audience in as it conventionally creates suspense and makes the reader want to
read more about the story as they could be thinking what is this person able to do
now?. The cover lines also have images next to them which could add interest to the
reader and also make them want to read it.
Main Cover Line
The main cover line is usually the second biggest text on the page after the
masthead, which stands out to the other cover lines due to it being in bold writing
and having a larger font size. It also conventionally links to the main image.

The main cover line on this issue of Take a Break is the second biggest font on the
magazine cover, the font bold and in san serif. The two main words on the main
cover line are highlighted in yellow writing which will make it stand out to the
audience. The background on the main cover line is red and the white writing on a
red background makes it stick out to the readers. The main cover line is also on top
of the main image on the front cover which when you look at the model your eyes will
most likely be drawn to the article underneath it. In my magazine the main cover line
does not link to the main image like most magazines.

Subline
The text underneath the main cover line is a subline, and usually gives more
information to the audience about the article. The subline is smaller than the main
cover line.

The subline on my magazine front cover is in a small yellow font placed underneath
the main cover line. The small font is used so it doesn’t take up too much space, it
gives humour to the audience whilst also providing information to the audience about
the article.

Positioning Statement
The positioning statement is almost like the slogan or the tagline for the magazine. It
positions the magazine in the marketplace and is designed to give the audience
information about the magazine and appeal to them. The positioning statement is
usually at the top of the magazine page.

The positioning statement on this issue of Take a Break is located at the top of the
magazine reading “Your Favourite Weekly”. It’s in a small white font and located at
the top of the magazine above the masthead, so there is more room for interesting
stuff like news. Although the writing is in a small font it stands out on the pink
background. The positioning statement of “your favourite weekly” one, shows that
the magazine releases weekly meaning their is new news every week and could get
the buyer to keep getting the Take a Break magazine, the fact it says YOUR
favourite may convince the shopper to buy it on a regular basis as they may think
that the magazine is made for them.

Issue Information
The issue information is often small and either near the barcode or near the
masthead. It is small so there is more room for more information, like articles and
images.
The issue information for Take a Break is placed on the top of the Take a Break logo
in a small white font so there is more room for information and news articles. The
issue information just like the price is in a white font on a pink background, the issue
information is small as it is not exactly that important and it's probably not something
someone gets a magazine for?

Price
The price is often small and either near the barcode or near the masthead. By
keeping the price small, the focus is drawn to the content and not how much the
magazine will cost.

The on Take a Break is placed next to the issue information in a small white font so
the focus is drawn to the content not the price. The font that the price is sans serif, its
in a white font on a pink background which just like the masthead and positioning
statement makes it quite visible but being in a small font it does stick out as much as
the rest of the magazine.

Barcode
The barcode is used to scan the magazine in the shop. It’s usually small so it doesn’t
take too much room on the front cover so there's more room for information, and it is
usually in the corner to the edge of the page.

The barcode on Take a Break is placed out of the way in the bottom right corner, it’s
placed there so it doesn’t take up too much space and is so that there is more room
for articles and images.

Skyline
The skyline is the position that runs along the top of the magazine cover, and will
either have a cover line in it or the positioning statement.

This skyline on this magazine is the positioning statement “Your Favourite Weekly”
the word weekly shows that the magazine has a new issue every week, its located at
the top of the page which may catch the attention of the audience when they see the
magazine in the shops.

Puff
A puff is a shape that looks similar to a sticker, and it will often
have an incentive or a cover line in it. A puff is used to make the
magazine stand out to the buyer to draw their attention, and could
also be used to promote something inside the magazine.

There isn’t a puff on this issue of Take a Break but this issue here
has one which says Win a Car, this will catch the attention of the
audience as a car is a big prize so it will increase the magazine
sales as the audience will love to win a car. The colour of the puff is bright yellow,
this will attract the attention of the audience especially when a light reflects on it. The
puff is located at the top of the magazine, just like the masthead it will be the first or
second thing they see when it is stacked up on the shelves in the shops.

Incentive
An incentive is something that makes the audience want to buy the magazine, for 6
for example something free or a chance to win money. The incentive is often in the
puff or a banner and will be brightly coloured to attract the eye.

The incentive on this issue of Take a Break is located at the top of the magazine
“win! £18,350 in cash prizes. This being located at the top might catch the eye of a
customer as when it is stacked on the shelves in the supermarket it will not be
blocked. It will also make the customer want to buy it as they may not have much
money and it’s a lot of money to win and even though their spending is in the top and
lowest band everyone likes to have the chance of winning money.

Buzzword
The buzzwords are words like “exclusive”. These are often used to create a buzz,
and appeal to the audience.

On this issue of Take a Break there is a buzzword saying Win! and this will create a
buzz and encourage the audience to buy the magazine as the audience would love a
bit of extra money or possibly a new car.

House Style
The house style refers to the style of the magazine. The house style is like the
brandstyle. The four key elements of house style are, the colour scheme, the style of
fonts, the style of layout,and the style of language. The house style is designed to
appeal to the target audience and reinforces the genre. The colour scheme will often
use only 1 or 2 colours. These will often be contrasting or might connote the genre,
for example the use of black and red for horror. Fonts tend to be written in Serif if the
magazine is formal and Sans Serif if the magazine is informal. Layouts might be
busy with lots of text or cleaner with minimal text. Language might be formal or
informal depending on the target audience and genre. For example, a magazine
about gardening might have an older target audience and will have more formal
language, whereas a gaming magazine or a gossip magazine might appeal to a
younger audience and be in an informal language.

The house style of Take a Break has a lot of detail just on the front cover. For
example the colour scheme is bright and it stands out which could get the audience's
attention when they are going for their weekly shop. The font used in this magazine
is sans serif, although it is a very plain font it could signify the type of magazine it is,
not over the top but very informative. The layout is quite unusual for magazines as
the front cover has images scattered around and has a lot of colours all over the
page, although it seems like a lot of detail being thrown at you at once it shows what
type of magazine it is (gossip magazine). The style of language used in my
magazine is quite informal, jokey but sometimes serious, on the cover page they
make a few jokes on the cover lines to possibly bring humour to the target audience
of women aged 20-60.