Conventions- Comparing Covers

So far, I have analysed three magazine front covers: DisCover, Secondary and Young Money. To recap here is a brief overview of the covers. DisCover Magazine had a central image of a woman, just showing her face and hand. The purpose of the magazine was to teach students, of primarily high-school age. The magazine was preparing readers/students for exams, school or college stress and touches on the financial expense of buying stationary and revision books, offering discounts and deals to students and parents.

Secondary Magazine had a front and back cover that had images of a male and female student. The purpose of this magazine was to inform teachers of new ways of teaching and to provide information and statistics about teaching and education across the country. This magazine was not intended for students, but for teachers or perhaps parents.

Young Money Magazine had an image of a woman. The image was the centre picture and she was the first thing a reader sees when looking at the page. This magazine was intended for college or university students who are struggling with managing their money.

The masthead of the magazines were DisCover, Secondary and Young Money. On the cover for DisCover there is a logo for the magazine, the logo is consistent throughout each issue the magazine publishes.

All magazines have subheadings. This is important as it tells the reader what is inside the issue.

Some magazines have advertisements of some sort, DisCover advertises revision books as one of the plugs mentions discounts and money-off vouchers. The Young Money magazine implicitly promotes the clothing that the woman is wearing and the Anchor Woman that is featured in the issue. Secondary Magazine does not advertise because its primary motive is to teach and sell itself in that sense, whereas Young Money and DisCover have another agenda as they have products to sell and promote to readers, e.g. Student Cards, Revision books, stationary etc.

All the magazines also have a central image, all showing students. This must be effective because it portrays the magazines purpose, whether it is teaching/educating college students on financial management, or aimed at teachers and parents.