GENERIC RESEARCH: MAGAZINE CONVENTIONS AND TERMINOLOGY

Here is the most recent cover of EMPIRE Magazine, dedicated to films and other media.

Film shown: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens - VILLAIN COVER

Characters: (from left to right) Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson)
You can find these elements on the front cover of a magazine:

• Top line ("MASSIVE WINTER PREVIEW...")
• Main image (see characters mentioned above)
• Date line
• Price
• Issue number
• Top third
• Masthead, original typography
• Strap line
• Website
• Main cover line
• Middle third
• Tag
• Cover lines
• Bottom third
• Left third
• Right third
• Barcode

However, not all magazines may have some of these features present on their front covers.

TERMINOLOGY

Apart from the masthead, which is primarily the logo of the magazine or brand it is sold by, there are more features that describe the terminology of a media magazine:

• Selling line (a snappy tagline!)
• Dateline (showing the date of when it is intended to be out)
• Main image
• Model credit
• Cover lines
• Additional cover line
• Bar code
• Main cover line

TYPOGRAPHY: Font used.

MASTHEAD: Title of the magazine. Also known as title block, which is the one used by known publishers to make readers aware of what they are reading.

MAIN IMAGE: The primary image shown to promote a person(s)/object directly associated with the main subject/article.

SELLING LINE/STRAPLINE: An introductory headline below the mastline describing the magazine. Can also be seen as a catchy tagline.

PUG: Nicknamed "the ears" of the magazine. Situated at either the top left or top right corners of the front cover. Situated there may be the magazine price, logo and/or promotion, or even a surprise freebie to attract a buyer's attention.

TAG: Words or phrases used to capture the attention and interest of a reader and lets them engage in the following story by categorisation. Examples are "exhilarating", "sensational" or "EXCLUSIVE!" showing the special compliments of the magazine.

COVERLINES: Main (essential) articles stated inside the magazine stated through short articles, primarily seen at the right hand side of the cover.

PUFFS: The mode of address is continued through the usage of less prominent articles or images on the front cover.