Production Coursework Evaluation
For my media production coursework I was asked to create a free local newspaper. The newspaper had to be aimed at teenagers, a target audience that does not usually read newspapers, and the articles in the newspaper had to represent teenagers in a positive light. During the creation of the newspaper I had to consider how to make the newspaper different to any other free newspaper on the market, such as The Topper and Metro, and any other newspaper or magazine aimed at teenagers that is currently available and how this would make my newspaper appeal to the target audience want to read more than just the front page.
On the front page of my newspaper I used a number of codes and conventions of a newspaper to appeal to the target audience. For the masthead I used bright colours and an unusual shape to make it stand out from the competition on a news stand, I also used a brightly coloured advert wrapped around the masthead offering a free ticket to attract people to pick up a copy of the paper because of their need to get something for nothing. I used a large headline in a clear font for the front page to make it clear what the main article is about, as well as using some pictures complete with a caption as part of the anchor to the article. All the articles on the front page all use columns as columns are traditionally part of the layout of a newspaper, the main story also has the first sentence in bold to replicate a standfirst that is commonly used in other newspapers. The other articles on the page have been selected to balance out the front page, providing positive stories to counteract the negativity of the main article. The advert at the bottom of the page makes the newspaper seem easier to read because it gives the front page a lower copy to advert ratio which will attract more teenagers to buy it because most teenagers do not like to read a lot. The features page also contains a number of codes and conventions of a newspaper, however some of these codes and conventions differ from those found on the front page. On the features page I have included a short comic, this provides entertainment and a distraction from the serious content of the newspaper, it also draws the readers eyes to the advert that is next to it. The other advert on the page was chosen because it has relevant to the target market because it is specifically aimed at under 18s. I have used clear, bold subheadings to separate the different parts of the page and make it easier to see the different articles. The picture that has been used because the positioning of the people could reflect harmless fun between friends or a serious crime such as robbery or rape. The caption for the picture also gets the reader more involved because it asks them a direct question. Like the front page each of the articles also has a two letter code to indicate the author of the article instead of the byline that is normally used in other newspapers and magazines.
