Codes and Conventions – Print

Tagline

Sell line
Prizes to encourage
purchase
Masthead

Main Photo
Title
Happy, smiling woman

Sell Line
Real Life Story Magazines Codes and Conventions 
1. Predominant use of colour, especially red, blue, and yellow, to grab attention. 
2. Masthead usually in plain white font, bold on red background. Often using drop shadows. Universally placed in top left of cover.  
3. Straplines implying either familiarity with the reader or the importance of the publication. Both intended to encourage the
reader to purchase the magazine by overstating the importance of the magazine. 
4. Tags like ‘exclusive’ and ‘unmissable’ further increase sense of importance. 
5. Cover crowded with sell lines. 
6. Use of Sans Serif Fonts 
7. All feature single large image of person, usually a medium close-up shot.  
8. Frequent use of puffs to help draw attention to specific stories. 
9. Sell lines feature ‘sensational stories’, often about crime, to grab attention. 
10. Use of informal language in order to appear more personable and intimate with the reader. 
11. Each story is contained in a box and features a picture to illustrate. 
12. Many offers, promotions and contests to encourage interaction. Usually in pugs
13. Stories cover a range of subject matters including crime, lifestyle, money, and beauty. 
Contents Page
14.   Lists sensational titles of each article
15.   Get in touch section (call to action), e.g., website, email, phone number and social media
16.   Lists all prizes to be won and puzzles. 
17.   Many have a small puzzle within the contents page itself
18.   Features images also featured on cover