The pictures in the two papers differ to the extent that the Independent has large detailed picture however The Express has a more focused image solely of David Beckham. In the Independence the photographer has incorporated the spectators reaction, as well as Beckhams and there are sufficient visible surroundings to put the picture into context.
The Daily Express uses headlines and pictures to show the content of the article and to give the reader an immediate impression of what the article is about, the article is more focussed on Beckhams attributes which is why there is a picture solely of Beckham. The Independent has used a wider picture and describes the game as a whole. The Express only has one small column with the basic factual information although the article takes up the entire back page. There is also one advert taking up a substantial fraction of the page.
The Daily Express narrative keeps referring to war terms such as “targeted him with missiles”. The Independent’s article was more explanatory using a wider range of vocabulary without referring to war or Beckham’s hair.
The sentence length in the two articles differs greatly. In the Independent the sentences are often long with detailed explanations but in the Daily Express the sentences are often short and snappy “The FA called on the Greek authorities and FIFA to investigate the incidents”.
The layouts of the two articles are very different. The two articles are very different in terms of fonts. The Daily Express has a bold and prominent headline where as the Independent has a more detailed subtle title. The Express uses font variation to gain the reader’s attention they also use this technique to emphasise certain words or phrases.
The Express uses a bold and imaginative pun to attract the reader’s attention. The pun “Hercules” portrays Beckham as superhuman. The Independent uses a more detailed but less exuberant headline “Beckhams free-kick seals England triumph”. The Express has purposely used war images to depict the immensity of the occasion.
Tabloid newspapers portray the basic facts, but often distort the story to give a more exciting ̀spiń to the facts. They use basic language because it gets to the point and it’s what the readers want. For example “Beckham was struck on the head by a bottle as he took a first half corner and had to dodge other objects before England took control of the game and clinched a vital three points”. Broadsheet papers report a more detailed and realistic interpretation using detailed and complex words that would not be used in the Daily Express “David Beckham braved a torrent of hostility from the Greeks”.
