Glossary of Magazine Terminology

Glossary of Terminology 

Masthead- magazine equivalent of a title, runs along the top of the cover such as ‘Elle’ or ‘Kerrang!’
Main Image- this is the image on the front cover filling the page, usually of a celebrity to promote an interview/article inside and entice people interested in that person. Other features usually go around the edge of this image
Pull Quote- snippet of an article which will make the reader want to read more of the interview as it is shocking/sad/funny
Strapline- the magazine equivalent to a sub-heading, for example ‘the worlds biggest weekly fashion magazine!’ for Elle, trying to get the reader to buy because it shows its success and makes the reader believe that it is a good magazine if its ‘the worlds biggest’
The Left Third- the left third is a crucial feature for sales, when placed on a shelf in shops magazines often overlap and the left third is the only visible part, so enough of the masthead, and important coverlines must be easily distinguishable so as for the magazine to stand out on a shelf
Coverlines- article headings on the front cover allowing the reader to preview what is inside, often found around the edge of the main image so as not to distract them from the headline or main article
Anchorage- fixing of meaning, a page reference on the contents page (size of font for importance of feature)
Editorial- editors introduction to the important features to come
Columns- of features/stories found within
Banner- to promote something exclusive for example an interview they want the reader to identify
Buzzword- usually promotes something exclusive or for example when a magazine has a prize give away inside it will focus the word 'win' on the front to attract the reader to something free
Secondary Images- images on the front cover that may not be as important as the main image
Puff- a shape such as a circle or star with words in, to make the feature stand out
Plug- where in the corner of the page it is covered by the shape usually with a buzzword in such as 'free' or 'win' as an incentive to open the magazine
Feature- things the reader will find in the magazine