Magazine Terminology

As part of producing my college magazine, I will need to have the ability to analyse different features of a magazine, using the media terminology given. There are many different features that can be identified on all pages of a magazine including the front page, contents page and double page spread. These features help to promote the magazine itself by making itself stand out more and more attractive for the target demographic to look at. In addition to this, it will help bring more attention from the audience perspective so they are more likely to buy the magazine.

Beneath I have made a glossary sheet on the different media concepts that can be identified in a magazine as a whole. The terminology includes....

 

Masthead - the name given to a magazine

Headline - the title of the main story within the magazine

House Style - the main colour scheme of the magazine throughout 

Main Image - the image of a person/people/object directly associated with the main feature or article within the magazine. Presented in the centre of the front cover page.

Sell Line - the introductory headline below the masterhead, describing the magazine

Pug - "the ear of the magazine" located at the top left or right hand of the front page magazine. A promotion or a freebie is put there to catch the readers attention.

Buzzwords - words and phrases such as "exclusive" and "win" that are used to catch and draw the readers attention. Helps promote a feature in the magazine.

Banner - a colourful banner across the page with text that helps promote an exclusive feature in the magazine

Barcode - a code and convention that is on every front cover of a magazine and tells us the price and the overall quality of the magazine

Puff - is a graphic feature placed on the front cover of a magazine to make something stand out. Usually presented by putting text around a shape.

Anchorage text - is text that provides the link between an image and it's context

Caption - is text describing an image ( anchorage ) 

Drop Capital - is the first letter of an article that is presented big and bold. It's purpose is to draw the reader to the beginning of the article.

Cover Line - blurbs advertising the other topics featured inside the magazine