What potential readers see first is the front page. The design and presentation of the front page defines what type of newspaper it is. The masthead is the name of the newspaper. The name of the newspaper depends on whether it’s tabloid or broadsheet. Broadsheet newspapers tend to have sophisticated names like ‘the Independent’ or ‘the Observer’ whilst tabloid newspapers use real things in their newspaper names like ‘the Daily Mirror’ or ‘the Sun’. The masthead on a broadsheet is in old-fashioned font, black and white, at the top of the page and not overly big but noticeable whereas the tabloids have a big, bold, colourful and modern font usually placed on the left of the page. Tabloids tend to have a single story dominated by a headline, broadsheets allow two or more stories to be displayed, the most important at the top of the page. Inside a tabloid newspaper the pictures tend to dominate more than the text as opposed to the broadsheet newspaper where the text is usually bigger than the picture, especially in the main stories.
A further contrast between broadsheets and tabloids is the language in both the headline and the text. In a tabloid the headlines are a very important factor of the articles. The aim is to create an interesting, clever headline by using techniques such as rhyming, alliteration or a pun. For example ‘ROSS AND RUSS SUSPENDED’ was a recent headline in the Sun newspaper. This shows alliteration to make the two names similar creating a clever, catchy headline. The headlines are often in capitals and are nearly always very big and bold to make the stories eye-catching. However broadsheet newspapers don’t often use capitals and the tone is very factual and straight to the point. ‘Russel Brand and Jonathon Ross could face prosecution after obscene on air calls to Fawlty Towers actor, 78’ was the same subject but in the Daily Mail newspaper. This gives the reader a lot more information and is more formal than the headline in the Sun. The Sun article was a front page headline whilst the Daily Mail article was on page three.
In broadsheet newspapers the people interviewed are usually political or professional people whereas the people that the tabloids interview are usually family members, friends and witnesses. Broadsheets often interview people about important issues and opinions rather than the gossip and suggestive comments that the tabloids try and get out of their interviewees.
Language is a key tool in making a newspaper as effective as possible; it keeps the reader interested. In a tabloid newspaper the tone is colloquial and simple aimed at people who are not necessarily highly educated. Tabloids use techniques such as slang to make the read more enjoyable. The language is emotive so the reader can relate to the story. Sensationalism is used in tabloids, exaggerating the facts to make a more interesting read. ‘FILTHY Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross were today suspended by the BBC for their vile prank on Fawlty Towers legend Andrew Sachs’ was the opening sentence of the front-page article in the Sun. The newspaper has used words like ‘vile’, ‘filthy’ and ‘legend’ to make the incident sound more dramatic. The sentence is trying to catch the readers attention and want to continue reading by using these words. On the contrary broadsheets are there to inform rather than provoke emotions and so will use detail in their text. Long, complex and detailed sentences are a common occurrence. Broadsheet newspapers use a factual and formal tone in their articles. ‘The BBC could face prosecution over obscene phone calls that Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand made to 78-year-old Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs’ is the opening line of the broadsheet article in the Daily Mail. The language is a lot more factual and informing, not over-exaggerating. The sentence generalizes what the article is going to be about.
In my opinion a tabloid is a much more preferable read. This is because I personally enjoy a more exciting, lighter read than a serious one. I think many younger people prefer tabloids as they are not yet interested in
politics and financial issues. My opinion is that in the future I might prefer to read broadsheets as I will be more mature and will want to know more about the type of information written in broadsheets.
