Conventions of a magazine

Conventions of a magazine

Conventions are things that we expect to see, so conventions of a magazine are things that the readers expect to see on it. These are:

• Masthead - This is the main title of the magazine telling us what it is. It is usually either at the top of the page in the left corner or at the top of the page in the centre. This is because when it is in the shop it is easily noticeable if it is at the top.
• Main image - Every magazine has a main image depending on what the magazine is about. If it is a music magazine it might be a band, if it is a college magazine it might be a student etc.
• Date
• Barcode
• Selling line - These selling lines are usually located on the sides of the magazine, particularly on the left hand side because this is where it can be seen when on a rail in the newsagents. The selling lines are advertisements  that is basically selling the magazine to you. It can be advertising what is in the magazine itself for example if it has any free posters. They are there to persuade you to buy it.
• Main cover line - This is the main story that is usually in the centre on the magazine front cover and is very large. It is the biggest story in the magazine to interest you into buying it.
• Left third - This is the spot where people in shops will see when the magazine is not shown full frontage.
• Website - Some magazines have a website on the front cover to advertise the magazine even further if the viewers wish to look more deeply into it.
• Main cover