Wednesday 5th November 2008

In this lesson I wrote up the codes and conventions of a double page spread. This is what I produced:
· The layout is dominated by one main picture, which is usually on the left side, because if it was on the right people might mistake it for an advert.
· Image- usually a whole page, can bleed from one page to the other, or can take up the whole of the double page spread. They have a creative use of framing, the lighting is carefully considered, the facial expressions convey an image for the artist, and direct address is usually used.
· Headlines- are in the largest font, don’t tell you anything about the story- they are more creative and intrigue the reader. The font is often only used for the Headline.
· Standfirst- is directly below the headline and sometimes includes the by-line. It tells the reader what the article is about and it works alongside the headline.
· Drop capital- signals where to start reading. Other techniques that also indicate this would be capitals for the first two words/ line/ few words and the use of colour.
· First paragraph- is usually has a slightly larger type size, may use bold type.
· Quotes- are extracted from the article. They are usually interesting, sensational, provocative quotes that attract the reader. The quotes are placed on the pictures or inset into the article to break up the text and to make it look more inviting to read.
· Pictures, panels of text and tables can also be used to break up the text.
· Simple colour schemes are used.
· Plugs are used at the end of the article.
· Page numbers and the name of the magazine are usually in one of the bottom corners.
· Straplines are used at the top of the page.
· Article is often in 11 or 12 pt font.
· Bold font is used in question and answer articles to separate the two.
· The articles are creatively written, showing the personality of the journalist, with their opinions. They can sometimes be subjectively bias because they are from the writer’s point of view. The articles also incorporate different styles of writing.
· Reported speech is used as well as quotes.
I then adjusted these to fit with my genre of magazine and then I added them to my Powerpoint.