Textual Analysis of Contents Pages

For our main task we are also making a contents page for our magazine choice.
I have been researching some contents pages, just as I did with the front covers, to gain an understanding and to get some ideas of what are the conventions of putting together a contents page and, to see if I would like to use any of the techniques presented to me. I have put together a summary of what I think makes a good contents page and what I would like to use for my contents page.

What I think makes a good contents page:

• Clear headings at the top of the page and either the name of the magazine or the logo.
• Some images to support the sub-headings for the articles. This can help the reader get some idea of what the article may be about; a visual elements is always extra help.
• Clear page numbers and a clear layout for the articles. It would be better if they were in a column rather than scattered randomly over the page.
• I believe that a note from the editor always helps to make the reader feel as if they are being specifically catered for and, it helps to encourage the reader to get involved with the magazine.
• There needs to be a clear genre presented for the magazine.
• The layout needs to be clear as it is a contents page so it should fulfil its purpose. However, you also need to welcome the reader so it can't be too plain.

What I might use for my magazine:

• A clear layout so the readers finds it easy to use however, I want to welcome the reader so I may include some images or colour to the page.
• Make the genre of the magazine clear from the article sub-headings and the images I use.
• A letter from the editor to further welcome the reader and make them feel included.