Features of a magazine

    The main features of a magazine and their definitions

Masthead - The masthead contains the name of the magazine and is normally located at the top of the cover.

Main cover lines - The mains cover lines is text that is written and arranged around an image and are normally bigger than normal cover lines. 

Cover lines/puffs - Cover lines/puffs are writing that appears around an image. Puffs are normally in circular shapes that appear on the magazine and these promote the magazine by saying whats inside it and therefore, grabs the viewers attention. 

Main image - The main image is normally a single portrait that is put on the front cover and is the largest image on the magazine. 

Direct address - This is when the main image of someone is looking face on and at the viewer. This is why its called direct address as they are looking directly at you.

Covermount - This is a free gift attached onto the cover of the magazine. This can be something like a music CD. Covermounts can be used as a selling point as people who like music will be interested in buying a music magazine that has free music come with it.

Skyline/strapline - This is a line or bar of information that runs across the top of the magazine containing specific detail/information about the magazine.

Anchorage text - This is text that is directly linked to the main image and contains information explaining why he is the cover star for the magazine.

Price/barcode - This gives the magazine authenticity.

Colour scheme - The colour scheme is the colours that the magazine has chosen to use. Generally a magazine cover will use around four different colours on their cover as anymore could have a negative appeal on the viewer as it looks bundled together and maybe compact.

House style - house style is where the same brand/creator of a magazine will make different covers for the same magazine but they all will have loads of similarities between them.