This is the cover of "Q" magazine with my annotations around the side.

Main picture: The picture on the cover is of Florence and the Machine, a well known pop alternative singer. She is looking straight towards the camera which means she is giving the reader direct mode of address, making the audience feel more personally targeted. The picture is very femenine which could suggest that this issue, or even all of them are targeted at women. If a man went into buy a magazine, they might ignore this because of the femenine picture and colours. From a first glance it looks more like a beauty magazine than a music magazine, so readers have to pick up the magazine to find out what its really about, also men are targeted by the use of language on the front, swearing, casual adult language which may appeal to them.

Colour: Florence is wearing blue eye shadow in the picture, which is complimented by small features of the same blue around the front cover. This makes the features of her face look softer, also making the whole front cover bond.

Main Coverline: the main coverline reads '"I FEEL SO ALONE" WOMAN ON THE EDGE' this is a coverline typical of magazines such as "Hello" or "Closer" which revel in celebritys misfortunes and splash it over double page spreads with glossy pictures of them. This however, is a music magazine, so its rare to see a headline such as this on a more sophisticated magazine. This is also mainly aimed at women, as they are targeted by coverlines about feelings and drastic life changes, especially in other womens lives.

Masthead: The masthead on this particular front cover is dominating the whole front cover. The huge "Q" in bright white against red is instantly recognisable as "Q" music magazine. Its also on the third left which means people scanning the shelves will be instantly drawn to this magazine as the title stands out.

Language: the language used on the front cover is varied. There is informal language like "MEET THE NEW SIMON COWELL...(AND THIS ONES NOT A BASTARD)" which shows that the magazine is maybe for older teenagers, and that the magazine is less formal than others. There is also a rhetorical question; "SKILLREX, DANCE GENIUS OR NOISY GIT?" thsis again has informal language by the use of the word "GIT", but as its a rhetorical question it also reaches out the audience and their opinion.

Audience profile:

Age: 17-34

Gender: Males and Females, this issue predominantly females because of the colours, picture and main coverline.

Interests: New music, information on artists, showbiz news (more sophisticated).