Newspapers: Codes, conventions and content

Newspapers: Codes, conventions and content

-Newspapers can commonly be defined as either a 'broadsheet' newspaper or a 'tabloid' newspaper. In a few instances, some newspapers belong to neither the broadsheet or tabloid category, but can be referred to as Berliners or compact newspapers. The Times and the I are examples of newspapers as they are tabloid size but hold broadsheet content.

Broadsheets vs Tabloids-


Tabloid-

- Feature popular articles that appeal to the masses (i.e. human interest stories and celebrity gossip).

-Tone used is informative and informal

-Uses jokes and wordplay in headlines 

-Adverts are aimed towards lower social groups

-Uses more images than text (image led)

-Examples include; The Sun, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Star

Broadsheet-

-Feature 'quality' articles including political and international stories 

-Tone is informative and formal

-Headlines are more factual and direct

-Adverts target higher social groups

-Use more text than images (text led)

-Examples include; The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian

Conventions of a newspaper-

Advert and incentives- Paid advertisements that have been incorporated into the newspaper often to encourage the audience to purchase the paper

Headlines- Largest pieces of text, summarising the content of the articles

Subheads- Smaller than the main headlines and explain more about the story
Images- Photographs or pictures used to illustrate the article
Sidebar- Smaller articles listed at the side of the paper
Masthead- Includes the name of the newspaper; it position remains the same
Byline- Journalist's name and detail
Standfirst- 1st paragraph of the story, usually gives a brief introduction and outline of the story
Caption- Titles given to the images used