SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Newspapers, Online and Social and Participatory
Media
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs/the_papers
THE EXAM
Paper 1: Section A (45 marks)
News and Online
This section includes:
• An in-depth study of Online, Social and Participatory
(The Guardian and Mail websites, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds as well as the
comments;
and
• An in-depth study of offline, print Newspapers (The Guardian and Mail)
This component is worth 45 marks and 20% of the marks for the total A level. This is part of an
externally assessed, two hour written examination. You are required to study two media forms in
depth.
1) Newspapers
2) Online, social and participatory media
AO1: 15 marks will focus on industry and audience
AO2: 30 marks will focus on language and representation
Three 10 mark questions and one 15 mark question (some will relate to unseen
sources on the two media forms).
THE EXAM
You will explore:
- the contexts surrounding why offline news producers are moving towards online
- how news organisations are differentiating their offline and online products and also selling the
similarities of both
- how online news producers are using social and participatory media (Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram feeds), for example, to enhance their core offline and online web content, encourage
participation and/or drive the news agenda.
NEWSPAPERS
Form an understanding of how media language has been used to construct
representations both offline and online.
Analyse how different newspapers might construct different representations,
viewpoints and express different values from each other.
Consider the academic ideas and arguments presented by the set theorists listed
for media language and representation.
Contextualise and solidify understanding of ‘broadsheet’ and ‘tabloid’ codes and
conventions in online and print.
News and Online
Media Language
How media industries influence news producers in each media form (e.g. in
terms of ownership, funding, processes of production and distribution and
exchange, regulation etc.)
The relationship between media producers, the media product and audiences
(e.g. in terms of how and why media producers target and reach audiences, the
influence of technology, interaction and how audiences interpret and consume
media and the context of why certain news producers target certain audiences
and have a political leaning).
Consider the academic ideas and arguments presented by the set theorists listed
News and Online
Media Industries and Audiences
Newspapers have been around since the mid 17th
century (probably earlier in various forms)
Until the 20th century (and the introduction of audio visual broadcasting –
radio/pathé news) newspapers were the primary means of bringing news to the
public.
They are largely self regulating. They have a regulating body – IPSO the
Independent Press Standards Organisation (formerly the Press Complaints
Commission).
Leveson Inquiry 2011 – in response to allegations of phone hacking at The News of
the World (amongst others) was carried out. It suggested a code of conduct and
tighter controls be imposed – nothing has really happened about this (apart from
the new IPSO instead of the PCC)
Unlike news broadcasting, newspapers do not have to be impartial – they are
allowed to show their political bias.
Newspaper
Overview
The newspaper industry is largely in decline in terms of print circulation.
Newspapers have had to adapt and move online in a bid for survival.
* Not Newsworks
stakeholders
** Online only
The market
Populars QualityMid-market
*
*
*
*
*
**
News intro and language
What might be the problem with
political affiliation?
See the chart below. Figures correct January 2017.
HWK 1 MAKE A TABLE FOR THE SUN, THE DAILY MAIL AND THE TELEGRAPH
Broadsheets vs Tabloids - Have a look at these front pages. What do you think are the codes and
conventions of a broadsheet newspaper?
News and Online
Language - Broadsheets
Broadsheets vs Tabloids - Have a look at these front pages. What do you think are the codes and
conventions of a tabloid newspaper?
News and Online
Language - Tabloids
Some codes and conventions…
‘Quality’ or 'serious' press
Aimed at higher social groupings (A,B,C1)
Plainer layout (Little colour on the front page, smaller typeface suggests readers will
make more effort to read it), and subtle, possibly smaller, pictures
Longer articles, more detailed
News and Online
Language - Broadsheets
Some codes and conventions…
'Popular' press
Aimed at lower social groupings (C2,D & E)
Bold layout (e.g. colour on the masthead, very bold typeface, easy to read), with large, dramatic pictures
Shorter articles, more pictures, less 'in-depth' reporting
Puns and jokes in headlines
More focus on human interest stories, celebrity gossip
Use of gimmicks such as bingo games, free travel tickets, phone-in surveys
News and Online
Language - Tabloids
News and Online
Language - Terminology
First let’s look at some papers and apply the terminology (make a video?) so we can play Blockbuster!
BLOCKBUSTER - Newspaper Technical Codes
BLOCKBUSTER - Newspaper Technical Codes
SPIN THE WHEEL - Discussion Prompts
Blockbuster (learn codes first, play in teams)
News and Online
Language
An important
term…GATEKEEPING
• A term which is applied to the editing and filtering process where decisions are
made to let some information ‘pass through’ to the receiver (audience) and other
information remains barred.
News Values
• In 1965 some media researchers analysed international news stories to find out what kind of
stories came top of the news ‘agenda’ worldwide. Their findings led to them creating a list of ‘news
values’ – a kind of scoring system. A story that scores highly on each news value is very likely to
make the front page, or the start of a TV news bulletin.
• It is not just down to news values that decides which stories come top of the news agenda:
journalists and news editors draw on their own experience to decide what should be deemed the
most important, or what should come top.
• Different news organisations have their own system of setting a news agenda: what one
newspaper will put on the front page is not necessarily what another paper will put on the front
page.
Threshold
Unexpectedness
Negativity
Elite persons/places
Unambiguous
Personalisation
Proximity
Continuity/currency
The bigger the impact and reach of the story
An event that is a shock or out of the ordinary
Bad news is more interesting ‘if it bleeds, it leads’
Stories about important people and powerful nations
Stories that are easy to understand and for papers to
report on
Stories that include human interest – ‘real’ people
Stories that are closer to home are more likely to be
included
Stories that are already in the news continue to run
and are updated
Discuss recent
stories that have
made the news
(if you can’t
remember, get
your phone out
and have a quick
look on the BBC
website)
What news values
can you apply to
those stories?
News and Online
Language
Take a look at this cover – what news values are present?
The choice of story clearly shows
certain news values/ideological focus
are favoured.
However, the choice of images and
words can help exaggerate these values
to help sell the newspaper.
1
2
3
4
News and Online
Language
Conduct a semiotic analysis of a front cover
Different newspapers select and have different priorities as to where to place their stories
What do you think this depends on? In pairs, look at the two contrasting newspapers – what stories have made the front page/headlines and what
news values do they support?
Why do you think this is?
READERSHIP
IDEOLOGIES AND VALUES OF THE NEWSPAPER (political affiliation/type of newspaper)
In groups of 2 or 3, look at the front pages on your tables and conduct a semiotic analysis.
Consider:
• Masthead
• Layout & Style
• Language
• Anything else you think worthy of comment
Annotate the front pages given to you, using Barthes’ codes think about what is DENOTED (literal meaning) and what is CONNOTED (an idea or
meaning suggested by or associated with the denoted word/image) by these CONVENTIONS.
ALWAYS CONSIDER:
• WHY DOES IT READ THE WAY IT DOES?
• WHAT IS THE INTENDED MEANING OR IDEAS BEING COMMUNICATED?
• WHO IS THIS FOR?
News and Online
Language
How is a Newspaper Article Structured ?
News and Online
Language
All newspaper articles follow a particular framework or structure
Construction of a News Report
News and Online
Language
News and Online
Language
How is a Newspaper Article Structured?
Headline:
• All stories have a headline, which gives the reader an idea of what the article is about. Tabloid headlines often use puns or other techniques, such as alliteration, to captivate their audience.
Introduction:
• As the first paragraph in an article, the introduction is very important. Its contents tell the reader in more detail what the article is about. Research into how people read newspapers shows that
most people read the headline first, followed by the first paragraph of the story. If the introduction is not interesting then most people will not continue reading the article. The first paragraph is
often known as a stand-first, printed in a bold font.
Elaboration:
• The next few paragraphs tell the reader more about the story that is outlined in the introduction. They inform readers about the following key words:
• What
• When
• Where
• Who
• Why.
Quotes:
• Almost all news stories have comments from those involved or from voyeurs (onlookers). Their function is to make the article more objective by keeping a balanced viewpoint. Alternatively,
they can make the article more subjective by sensationalising the reaction of the public and can indicate bias.
Projection:
• Many stories tell the reader what might happen next in relation to the event or people in the report. This might include a comment from a police officer, an MP, a family member or a general
prediction of consequences or outcomes.
News intro and language
News and Online
Language
Take a look at this cover – what news values are present?
1. Looking at our case studies, The Sun, The Guardian and the Daily Mail, find the main story inside the newspaper.
2. Answer the following questions on your blog.
1. How have the conventions been established as a tabloid newspaper / broadsheet newspaper?
2. How does the article make you feel about the situation?
3. What news values are prominent?
4. Discuss the effect of the particular words / phrases on the audience
5. Why has a particular person been quoted? What does this add to the story?
6. What does the way in which the story has been reported in your paper overall suggest about the attitudes, values and
beliefs of the world?
News and Online
Language
Language Content Style Values and
attitudes
Photographs Headlines
What examples of language
stand out. Calculate the average
number of words per sentence.
What is included or missed out
of the story? Can you explain
this?
Is the article chatty or formal?
Serious or funny? How long are
the sentences?
Is there any bias? Which shots have been chosen
and why? How have they been
edited?
What kind of headline is it?
What techniques are used?
This is a framework for analysing the language of newspapers. Remember to include evidence to support the comments that you make.

More Related Content

PPTX
Practical assessment autumn 1a
PDF
Newspaper bias lesson
PPTX
News 2 online and representation
PPTX
A levels audience
PDF
Newspaper print-resource-front-cover-semiotic-analysis
PPTX
Audience theory analysis
PPTX
Audience theory analysis
Practical assessment autumn 1a
Newspaper bias lesson
News 2 online and representation
A levels audience
Newspaper print-resource-front-cover-semiotic-analysis
Audience theory analysis
Audience theory analysis

What's hot (20)

PPTX
Gcse media studies revision november mock1
PPTX
Spectre MS4 Genre
PPTX
Audience positioning
PPTX
Stuart Hall's Reception theory
PPT
Media Theory - Audience Representation Narrative Genre
PPTX
Newspaper Lesson 1 Intro and exam
PPTX
Newspaper analysis task 3
PPT
Audience Profiling Powerpoint
DOCX
Ms1 revision notes
PPT
1. an introduction to audiences
PPTX
GCSE Lesson 1 Audience
PPTX
Media Studies OCR A level The Big Issue 29 01 19 final
DOCX
MS1 key concepts booklet 2014
PPTX
Newspaper analysis task 4
PPTX
Uses and gratifications pp
PPTX
UAL Media Unit 4-1 introduction
PPTX
Narrative and essay planning for section 1b
PPT
Mest 3 examination
PPTX
Regulations ipso and queen backing brexit
PPTX
Exam lessons 3 (audiences) Section A A2 Media Exam
Gcse media studies revision november mock1
Spectre MS4 Genre
Audience positioning
Stuart Hall's Reception theory
Media Theory - Audience Representation Narrative Genre
Newspaper Lesson 1 Intro and exam
Newspaper analysis task 3
Audience Profiling Powerpoint
Ms1 revision notes
1. an introduction to audiences
GCSE Lesson 1 Audience
Media Studies OCR A level The Big Issue 29 01 19 final
MS1 key concepts booklet 2014
Newspaper analysis task 4
Uses and gratifications pp
UAL Media Unit 4-1 introduction
Narrative and essay planning for section 1b
Mest 3 examination
Regulations ipso and queen backing brexit
Exam lessons 3 (audiences) Section A A2 Media Exam
Ad

Viewers also liked (20)

PDF
DOCX
Assessment 1A with answers and mark scheme
PPTX
Georgia radio presentation
PDF
Newspaper data sheet
PPTX
PPT
Genre theory
PDF
PPT
A2 MEDIA G325 SECTION A PAST QUESTIONS
PPT
Youth marketing - A guide to understanding youth development phases by Dan Pa...
PPTX
Ms+g324+q1
PPTX
Theorist cards.docx
DOC
Collective Identity: Past and possible exam questions
PPTX
Representation of youth - theories add/make your own
PPTX
Collective identity essay
Assessment 1A with answers and mark scheme
Georgia radio presentation
Newspaper data sheet
Genre theory
A2 MEDIA G325 SECTION A PAST QUESTIONS
Youth marketing - A guide to understanding youth development phases by Dan Pa...
Ms+g324+q1
Theorist cards.docx
Collective Identity: Past and possible exam questions
Representation of youth - theories add/make your own
Collective identity essay
Ad

Similar to News intro and language (20)

PPTX
Newspapers
PPT
New digital media lessons
PPT
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
PPTX
Intro to newspapers lesson 1 and 2
PPTX
A2 research pre production
PPTX
Media Studies NEWS
PPT
XCAT 1023 N chapter 5.ppt
PPTX
Introduction to Newspapers - student version
PPTX
Newspapers - The Times case study
PPTX
Convention
PDF
Chapter 8
PPT
Fic0114 lecture 9 newsgathering & reporting
PPTX
Conventions of newspaper articles and website articles- Amad
PPT
Dennis & Defleur Chapter 9
PPTX
Conventions of newspaper articles and website articles
PPT
1588449543-the-language-of-newspapers.ppt
PPTX
Conventions of newspapers
PPT
A Nose For News 1
PDF
Stephen quinn, stephen lamble online newsgathering research and reporting ...
Newspapers
New digital media lessons
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
Intro to newspapers lesson 1 and 2
A2 research pre production
Media Studies NEWS
XCAT 1023 N chapter 5.ppt
Introduction to Newspapers - student version
Newspapers - The Times case study
Convention
Chapter 8
Fic0114 lecture 9 newsgathering & reporting
Conventions of newspaper articles and website articles- Amad
Dennis & Defleur Chapter 9
Conventions of newspaper articles and website articles
1588449543-the-language-of-newspapers.ppt
Conventions of newspapers
A Nose For News 1
Stephen quinn, stephen lamble online newsgathering research and reporting ...

More from Great Baddow High School Media (20)

DOCX
DOCX
How to write a statement of intent
PPTX
Intro to OCR media
PDF
Radio 1 targeting audience
PDF
Glossary terms and definitions for ad conventions and techniques
PDF
A level media glossary
DOCX
PPTX
Lucozade student pack
PPTX
Rachel's group minecraft technology
PPTX
Niamh's group minecraft distribution
PPTX
Minecraft circulation Oakley's group
PPTX
Marketing minecraft.
PPTX
PPTX
Lee's group radio 1 breakfast show
PPTX
Loom's group radio presentation
PPTX
Radio 1 breakfast show timeline lesson
How to write a statement of intent
Intro to OCR media
Radio 1 targeting audience
Glossary terms and definitions for ad conventions and techniques
A level media glossary
Lucozade student pack
Rachel's group minecraft technology
Niamh's group minecraft distribution
Minecraft circulation Oakley's group
Marketing minecraft.
Lee's group radio 1 breakfast show
Loom's group radio presentation
Radio 1 breakfast show timeline lesson

Recently uploaded (20)

PPTX
1st Inaugural Professorial Lecture held on 19th February 2020 (Governance and...
PPTX
master seminar digital applications in india
PDF
01-Introduction-to-Information-Management.pdf
PDF
RMMM.pdf make it easy to upload and study
PDF
FourierSeries-QuestionsWithAnswers(Part-A).pdf
PPTX
Renaissance Architecture: A Journey from Faith to Humanism
PDF
Chapter 2 Heredity, Prenatal Development, and Birth.pdf
PDF
ANTIBIOTICS.pptx.pdf………………… xxxxxxxxxxxxx
PPTX
Pharmacology of Heart Failure /Pharmacotherapy of CHF
PPTX
GDM (1) (1).pptx small presentation for students
PDF
Physiotherapy_for_Respiratory_and_Cardiac_Problems WEBBER.pdf
PDF
2.FourierTransform-ShortQuestionswithAnswers.pdf
PDF
Pre independence Education in Inndia.pdf
PDF
O5-L3 Freight Transport Ops (International) V1.pdf
PPTX
school management -TNTEU- B.Ed., Semester II Unit 1.pptx
PPTX
Lesson notes of climatology university.
PDF
grade 11-chemistry_fetena_net_5883.pdf teacher guide for all student
PDF
TR - Agricultural Crops Production NC III.pdf
PDF
Anesthesia in Laparoscopic Surgery in India
PDF
STATICS OF THE RIGID BODIES Hibbelers.pdf
1st Inaugural Professorial Lecture held on 19th February 2020 (Governance and...
master seminar digital applications in india
01-Introduction-to-Information-Management.pdf
RMMM.pdf make it easy to upload and study
FourierSeries-QuestionsWithAnswers(Part-A).pdf
Renaissance Architecture: A Journey from Faith to Humanism
Chapter 2 Heredity, Prenatal Development, and Birth.pdf
ANTIBIOTICS.pptx.pdf………………… xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pharmacology of Heart Failure /Pharmacotherapy of CHF
GDM (1) (1).pptx small presentation for students
Physiotherapy_for_Respiratory_and_Cardiac_Problems WEBBER.pdf
2.FourierTransform-ShortQuestionswithAnswers.pdf
Pre independence Education in Inndia.pdf
O5-L3 Freight Transport Ops (International) V1.pdf
school management -TNTEU- B.Ed., Semester II Unit 1.pptx
Lesson notes of climatology university.
grade 11-chemistry_fetena_net_5883.pdf teacher guide for all student
TR - Agricultural Crops Production NC III.pdf
Anesthesia in Laparoscopic Surgery in India
STATICS OF THE RIGID BODIES Hibbelers.pdf

News intro and language

  • 1. Newspapers, Online and Social and Participatory Media http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs/the_papers
  • 2. THE EXAM Paper 1: Section A (45 marks) News and Online This section includes: • An in-depth study of Online, Social and Participatory (The Guardian and Mail websites, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds as well as the comments; and • An in-depth study of offline, print Newspapers (The Guardian and Mail)
  • 3. This component is worth 45 marks and 20% of the marks for the total A level. This is part of an externally assessed, two hour written examination. You are required to study two media forms in depth. 1) Newspapers 2) Online, social and participatory media AO1: 15 marks will focus on industry and audience AO2: 30 marks will focus on language and representation Three 10 mark questions and one 15 mark question (some will relate to unseen sources on the two media forms). THE EXAM
  • 4. You will explore: - the contexts surrounding why offline news producers are moving towards online - how news organisations are differentiating their offline and online products and also selling the similarities of both - how online news producers are using social and participatory media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds), for example, to enhance their core offline and online web content, encourage participation and/or drive the news agenda. NEWSPAPERS
  • 5. Form an understanding of how media language has been used to construct representations both offline and online. Analyse how different newspapers might construct different representations, viewpoints and express different values from each other. Consider the academic ideas and arguments presented by the set theorists listed for media language and representation. Contextualise and solidify understanding of ‘broadsheet’ and ‘tabloid’ codes and conventions in online and print. News and Online Media Language
  • 6. How media industries influence news producers in each media form (e.g. in terms of ownership, funding, processes of production and distribution and exchange, regulation etc.) The relationship between media producers, the media product and audiences (e.g. in terms of how and why media producers target and reach audiences, the influence of technology, interaction and how audiences interpret and consume media and the context of why certain news producers target certain audiences and have a political leaning). Consider the academic ideas and arguments presented by the set theorists listed News and Online Media Industries and Audiences
  • 7. Newspapers have been around since the mid 17th century (probably earlier in various forms) Until the 20th century (and the introduction of audio visual broadcasting – radio/pathé news) newspapers were the primary means of bringing news to the public. They are largely self regulating. They have a regulating body – IPSO the Independent Press Standards Organisation (formerly the Press Complaints Commission). Leveson Inquiry 2011 – in response to allegations of phone hacking at The News of the World (amongst others) was carried out. It suggested a code of conduct and tighter controls be imposed – nothing has really happened about this (apart from the new IPSO instead of the PCC) Unlike news broadcasting, newspapers do not have to be impartial – they are allowed to show their political bias. Newspaper Overview The newspaper industry is largely in decline in terms of print circulation. Newspapers have had to adapt and move online in a bid for survival.
  • 8. * Not Newsworks stakeholders ** Online only The market Populars QualityMid-market * * * * * **
  • 10. What might be the problem with political affiliation?
  • 11. See the chart below. Figures correct January 2017. HWK 1 MAKE A TABLE FOR THE SUN, THE DAILY MAIL AND THE TELEGRAPH
  • 12. Broadsheets vs Tabloids - Have a look at these front pages. What do you think are the codes and conventions of a broadsheet newspaper? News and Online Language - Broadsheets
  • 13. Broadsheets vs Tabloids - Have a look at these front pages. What do you think are the codes and conventions of a tabloid newspaper? News and Online Language - Tabloids
  • 14. Some codes and conventions… ‘Quality’ or 'serious' press Aimed at higher social groupings (A,B,C1) Plainer layout (Little colour on the front page, smaller typeface suggests readers will make more effort to read it), and subtle, possibly smaller, pictures Longer articles, more detailed News and Online Language - Broadsheets
  • 15. Some codes and conventions… 'Popular' press Aimed at lower social groupings (C2,D & E) Bold layout (e.g. colour on the masthead, very bold typeface, easy to read), with large, dramatic pictures Shorter articles, more pictures, less 'in-depth' reporting Puns and jokes in headlines More focus on human interest stories, celebrity gossip Use of gimmicks such as bingo games, free travel tickets, phone-in surveys News and Online Language - Tabloids
  • 16. News and Online Language - Terminology First let’s look at some papers and apply the terminology (make a video?) so we can play Blockbuster! BLOCKBUSTER - Newspaper Technical Codes BLOCKBUSTER - Newspaper Technical Codes
  • 17. SPIN THE WHEEL - Discussion Prompts Blockbuster (learn codes first, play in teams) News and Online Language
  • 18. An important term…GATEKEEPING • A term which is applied to the editing and filtering process where decisions are made to let some information ‘pass through’ to the receiver (audience) and other information remains barred.
  • 19. News Values • In 1965 some media researchers analysed international news stories to find out what kind of stories came top of the news ‘agenda’ worldwide. Their findings led to them creating a list of ‘news values’ – a kind of scoring system. A story that scores highly on each news value is very likely to make the front page, or the start of a TV news bulletin. • It is not just down to news values that decides which stories come top of the news agenda: journalists and news editors draw on their own experience to decide what should be deemed the most important, or what should come top. • Different news organisations have their own system of setting a news agenda: what one newspaper will put on the front page is not necessarily what another paper will put on the front page.
  • 20. Threshold Unexpectedness Negativity Elite persons/places Unambiguous Personalisation Proximity Continuity/currency The bigger the impact and reach of the story An event that is a shock or out of the ordinary Bad news is more interesting ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ Stories about important people and powerful nations Stories that are easy to understand and for papers to report on Stories that include human interest – ‘real’ people Stories that are closer to home are more likely to be included Stories that are already in the news continue to run and are updated Discuss recent stories that have made the news (if you can’t remember, get your phone out and have a quick look on the BBC website) What news values can you apply to those stories?
  • 21. News and Online Language Take a look at this cover – what news values are present?
  • 22. The choice of story clearly shows certain news values/ideological focus are favoured. However, the choice of images and words can help exaggerate these values to help sell the newspaper. 1 2 3 4
  • 23. News and Online Language Conduct a semiotic analysis of a front cover Different newspapers select and have different priorities as to where to place their stories What do you think this depends on? In pairs, look at the two contrasting newspapers – what stories have made the front page/headlines and what news values do they support? Why do you think this is? READERSHIP IDEOLOGIES AND VALUES OF THE NEWSPAPER (political affiliation/type of newspaper) In groups of 2 or 3, look at the front pages on your tables and conduct a semiotic analysis. Consider: • Masthead • Layout & Style • Language • Anything else you think worthy of comment Annotate the front pages given to you, using Barthes’ codes think about what is DENOTED (literal meaning) and what is CONNOTED (an idea or meaning suggested by or associated with the denoted word/image) by these CONVENTIONS. ALWAYS CONSIDER: • WHY DOES IT READ THE WAY IT DOES? • WHAT IS THE INTENDED MEANING OR IDEAS BEING COMMUNICATED? • WHO IS THIS FOR?
  • 24. News and Online Language How is a Newspaper Article Structured ?
  • 25. News and Online Language All newspaper articles follow a particular framework or structure
  • 26. Construction of a News Report News and Online Language
  • 27. News and Online Language How is a Newspaper Article Structured? Headline: • All stories have a headline, which gives the reader an idea of what the article is about. Tabloid headlines often use puns or other techniques, such as alliteration, to captivate their audience. Introduction: • As the first paragraph in an article, the introduction is very important. Its contents tell the reader in more detail what the article is about. Research into how people read newspapers shows that most people read the headline first, followed by the first paragraph of the story. If the introduction is not interesting then most people will not continue reading the article. The first paragraph is often known as a stand-first, printed in a bold font. Elaboration: • The next few paragraphs tell the reader more about the story that is outlined in the introduction. They inform readers about the following key words: • What • When • Where • Who • Why. Quotes: • Almost all news stories have comments from those involved or from voyeurs (onlookers). Their function is to make the article more objective by keeping a balanced viewpoint. Alternatively, they can make the article more subjective by sensationalising the reaction of the public and can indicate bias. Projection: • Many stories tell the reader what might happen next in relation to the event or people in the report. This might include a comment from a police officer, an MP, a family member or a general prediction of consequences or outcomes.
  • 29. News and Online Language Take a look at this cover – what news values are present? 1. Looking at our case studies, The Sun, The Guardian and the Daily Mail, find the main story inside the newspaper. 2. Answer the following questions on your blog. 1. How have the conventions been established as a tabloid newspaper / broadsheet newspaper? 2. How does the article make you feel about the situation? 3. What news values are prominent? 4. Discuss the effect of the particular words / phrases on the audience 5. Why has a particular person been quoted? What does this add to the story? 6. What does the way in which the story has been reported in your paper overall suggest about the attitudes, values and beliefs of the world?
  • 30. News and Online Language Language Content Style Values and attitudes Photographs Headlines What examples of language stand out. Calculate the average number of words per sentence. What is included or missed out of the story? Can you explain this? Is the article chatty or formal? Serious or funny? How long are the sentences? Is there any bias? Which shots have been chosen and why? How have they been edited? What kind of headline is it? What techniques are used? This is a framework for analysing the language of newspapers. Remember to include evidence to support the comments that you make.

Editor's Notes

  • #11: Encourage debate here! Talk about the fact that Tony Blair flew to Australia to win Rupert Murdoch’s backing for the election in 1997
  • #20: The News is a highly influential form of media, which is constructed through news values, journalists’ opinions and the news organizations’ political position