Media newspaper coursework

The headlines in a newspaper come underneath the masthead. Tabloid papers frequently use puns in their headlines as well as large bold underlined font whereas the broadsheets prefer to keep smaller bold underlined fonts but the words are more to the point. A tabloid headline could be:

"Train Terror Kills"

The same story in a broadsheet would be something along the lines of:

"Train crash in London kills 4 people"

We also read two articles in class too, which shared the same effect. The broadsheets headline was:

"Protesting pensioner will go to jail rather than pay"

As you can see this is very much to the point, in the tabloid however it says:

"Council tax grand-martyr"

As you can see reading the tabloids headline doesn't really tell you what's happened whereas when you read the broadsheets you can make a quick summary about what has happened.

Both types of papers are set out in columns; this makes it very easy for the reader to read instead of having to read all the way across the page. The broadsheets paragraphs within the columns are usually long, whereas in the tabloids the paragraphs are usually one or two sentences. Crossheads are also used in both. Most crosshead are usually made up of a word or two above the column, usually in bold emphasising words in the paragraph to follow, e.g. I used the crosshead:

"Kidnapped"

I used this because it is a strong word and it makes you want to read on.

Photos are used in both tabloids and broadsheets. In the tabloids the images are usually big and take up a lot of the page, the pictures also can be quite emotive. The broadsheet on the other hand has smaller pictures that are only used when necessary to subsidise the story to help you understand it a little better. The broadsheet uses charts and diagrams so you can interpret the information for yourself. The two are so different because they are both trying to satisfy two different target audiences.

The papers are both laid out in a similar way apart from the image locations. The two types both have an introduction as the opening paragraph written in bold. This opening paragraph tells us the point of the article. This paragraph also answers a lot of questions such as Why? Where? Who? What? When? And how? This opening is also not written in columns it is written as a crosshead across the top of where the columns start.

The further paragraphs expand on the story giving background information and reports from various people such as an expert, a witness or a relative of a victim. They will also give statistics and figures if necessary. The tabloids use emotive language to exaggerate statements; they do this because their audience want the paper to tell them what to think and how they should feel. The broadsheet however gives only the bare facts.

Example of a broadsheet I read said:

"There was an 11% chance of it happening"

Whereas in the tabloids it said:

"There was a very good chance it was going to happen.

Evidently the tabloid uses emotive language, this makes you feel sympathetic about the situation and could make you reconsider your thoughts.

The tabloids and the broadsheets are both written in Standard English however they do differentiate. The broadsheet uses more complex language throughout whereas the tabloid use lots of styles e.g. emotive, slang and biased language, it does this to satisfy its target audience and still it manages to keep its prospect of simplicity. Therefore less educated people may be reading simple words but not realising how complex it actually is. I believe the tabloids language is discreetly complex because it is putting thoughts in your mind without you noticing.

The broadsheet never usually incorporates slang into its articles. It also tries its best to rule out biased opinions by making you analyse the article and make up your own opinion.

In my personal opinion I prefer to read the tabloids. This kind of paper appeals to me because its target audience is people who have not been through higher education, the Common Man, like me for example. The broadsheet is aimed more towards adults with a profession who have been through higher education and are in a career not just a job.