Contents Page Analysis: Kerrang!
In this contents page, the first thing that catches your eye is the large giveaway on the left. This is the largest and most notable part of the contents page. The main reason it is the first thing you see is because of its size. The heading is bold and large, and the pictures of what you can win are also very large. This giveaway has an informal approach, with words such as “wanna” and “sweet swag”. This is to appeal to the target group of the readers, which is people aged between 15-22, who are still youthful. Formal approaches would not work as well, and would make people lose interest quickly. The information in this is clear and straight to the point. It gives you a brief overview of the giveaway (information on the band and what is included). It then goes straight into the question and how to enter the giveaway, which is needed and to be given clearly to entice people to enter. This giveaway is a promotion for the band The Bouncing Souls, and information is given about them in the giveaway overview. The house style for the magazine is apparent in this giveaway also, with the colours of the main heading, as well as the background for this giveaway.
The contents of this magazine are on the right, sitting next to the giveaway. This should be the main focus of the contents page, however it is not in this case. The reason that the giveaway is the main focus is to draw the attention to the page, so it is not easily missed. The contents for this magazine show clearly what is inside this edition, as well as what page to find it on. There are also a variety of heading in the contents, which is effective in organising the magazine and making it look formal and professional. In most of the contents, there are small overviews on what will be included in that article. There is a clear house style used here, black and yellow headings with red page numbers.
These articles are written in an informal approach, with example of the overview written for the David Draiman article, which is in all capitals and a lot of slang is used. The use of the phrase at the end of the overview suggest anger/frustration, and will encourage the reader to want to know why the anger is shown.
At the bottom right, there is a promotion for a K! Subscription. This is another promotion for the magazine, but is an internal promotion rather than an external. Even though it is so small, the title is eye catching. The use of the £15 shows the low price of the subscription, drawing in new customers. The house style is apparent throughout this promotion, with the yellow and black.
In the bottom left of the magazine, just underneath the magazine is the editor’s notes. This paragraph is written as if it is written to the reader, making the magazine more personal and makes the reader feel more appreciated. However, the editors notes look as if they are there to fill space, as the picture of the editor takes up around ⅓ of the space used. It is also written informally, with the type of language used. This reflects the nature of the editor, and shows why the magazine is written as it is.