Contents analysis - Research

The layout and house style of the X Factor magazine is very simple yet easily recognizable. The logo/ name in the top left hand corner hotspot is easily linked to the X Factor. The written editorial is placed along the left hand side of the page which is very stereotypical and conventional. The copy here also features an image along the left hand side which is opposite to the image at the bottom. This images helps to break up the text and make it easier to look at and read. This however is slightly separated from the rest of the page by a slanted dotted line which is quite unique. The rest of the page is quite conventional including different coloured headings for different sub sections of the magazine. The pages of the magazine are also the same colours as the sub section that they are under. The image at the top right hand side of the page is also parallel to the dotted line on one side to make the page consistent. The image is bright and eye catching and relates to the target audience. The other smaller images are arranged together and one of them has been cut of using a program such as Photoshop. Across the bottom of the page are a range of images made to appear look like a banner which shows all of the contestants in the competition. The style of copy is very easy to read and features a kind of tag line from the show of ' Its time to face....'. This also links the magazine in with the tv program. 


The contents page of X Factor very much appeals to its target audience. The editor of the X Factor magazine appears to be a young (20 something) female with short brown hair. She does not look stereotypically girly and isn't wearing very much make up and a plain t-shirt which is quite boyish. Her short cropped hair is also quite tom boy which has connotations that she may be tough and not really that bothered about her appearance. The editor is basically represented as laid back and carefree which suggests that the readership is quite similar.


The written editorial of this contents page is a very informal. The copy is just like they are chatting to their mate. This makes it seem that there are more like a mate rather than a distant authority figure telling the audience what to think. They use lots of words such as 'we' to help connect with the target audience and make them feel more relaxed. The style in which they write is also quite gossipy as it includes sentences such as 'This has basically been the most exciting weekend of our lives- we went to the live shows for the very first time....' This is appealing to the target audience of the magazine which would be teenagers and young adults and anyone else who is interested in X Factor. The editorial is mainly a form of indirect mode of address as the magazine doesn't want to come across as in your face or pushy.