Magazine Terminologies and Definitions

Magazine Terminology 

Text - Any form of media or a media product

Niche- A specific market in which the product is focuses in, the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific needs for example gossip magazines vs music magazines

Code and Convention- a set off rules that form a convention as to what is going to appear in the magazine or the media  

Semiotics- the reading and understanding of signs

Masthead - The main title of the magazine, It is always on the front cover

Puff - an incentive which is place on the cover to make something stand out and intice the audience . Usually by putting text around a shape

Features -  Things the readers will find inside the magazine.
Main coverline - the feature story , double page spread usually font size is bigger than others 

The Main Image - Is the image in the center of the front page, the picture is usually of a person who will probably have an exclusive interview and a couple of pictures inside the magazine. The main image is the product which sells the magazine.

Headline - The headline is the main piece of text on the cover of the magazine. The headline will promote the main image on the cover.


Barcode - A code and convention - a barcode is on every cover of every magazine it tells us the price and overall quality of the magazine. A barcode helps the customers understand that this item needs to be paid for. It can also tell the reader which company distributes the magazine.

Left Third - the most visible part of the magazine when they are stacked on stand usually most eye catching and interesting .