The Daily Mirror has used large pictures to break up the text and make it more appealing to the readers. This is usual of a tabloid paper as the socio economic groups that tabloid papers are targeted at are E D and C and therefore this structure of a page appeals to them and is more inviting to read. There are 2 pictures included in this article, one is of David Beckham, the caption besides the picture states, “FATHER: Beckham” The picture is not framed and overlaps the headline to involve him in the article even though he is not involved in the story. The picture is a medium close-up, head and shoulder shot and is positioned to the right of the article making him appear he is looking over the main body of the text. The Daily Mirror have chosen to include Beckham even though he is not mentioned in the article as it helps to sell the paper because of his status. The other picture is positioned to the left of the page and is of Victoria Beckham and son Romeo. The caption under this photo reads, “LOVING: Victoria with younger son Romeo who was taken to hospital” The caption again is very positive and supports the picture of the two of them cuddling. This picture in comparison to the Father is a lot larger and is framed because the article concentrates on Mother and Son. The picture is a shallow depth of field to focus on Victoria and Romeo. The picture is a medium close up 2 shot which captures Victoria’s facial expression with Romeo. She is not posing for this picture and therefore she doesn’t appear at her most glamorous which supports he story and portrayal of her. Under the main picture a black box is included with contrasting white capital letters reading “EXCLUSIVE” this is eye catching and is used to intrigue the reader, it also suggests that the Daily Mirror is the only paper that has access to this story and it appears more important. The introduction of the article is bold to outline the basics of the story and two columns follow this with the brief story.
Similarly in the ‘Daily Star’ pictures are used to break up the text and appeal to the reader. There is a picture of Victoria to the right of the headline, the picture is tightly framed in a circle to separate it from the article, the picture is a close up of her face and it suggests arrogance, which supports the story. There is also another picture of her Mum, sister and friend her picked up the award, this picture is also framed but was taken when they were aware and therefore they are posing, they are standing closely together portraying the importance of families. The caption underneath states, “STAFF OUTING: Jackie, Louise and a pal collect Victoria’s award for her glam dress, pictured right” This is very negative portrayal of Victoria suggesting that she treats her family poorly and at times they feel taken advantage of as they refer to themselves as her staff. The picture of Victoria in her glam dress is also framed and quite small, it is framed to make a definite separation between her and her family. The editor has chosen this picture to be relevantly small as it portrays Victoria glamorously and doesn’t back up the article. Alternatively they have used a large picture of Kate Lawler’s, which isn’t framed and overlooks the article on Victoria. The article on Kate is relatively small and not of much importance however the picture of her draws attention to the article on Victoria.
The main body of the text are quite similar in certain ways as they use similar writing techniques. The main reason for this is because they are both tabloid papers. Both papers refer to the people involved by their nickname or their previous careers. This is used to make the reader personalise with them. In the ‘Daily Mail’ they refer to Victoria as, ‘The former Spice Girl’ which isn’t relevant to the article but can appear negative as they are comparing her know to her previous career that wasn’t very successful for long. They refer to David as ‘Beckham’ as the reader familiarises with this. Like wise in the ‘Daily Star’ Victoria is referred to as ‘Posh’, which is from her previous career of the spice girls. The language techniques that are used and the style in which the articles are written closely link the two together. The ‘Daily Mail’ portrays Victoria positively at first, “Romeo Beckham was rushed to hospital by his mum.” Using the word ‘rushed’ suggests urgency and good mothering, it also states she stayed at his bedside. The next paragraph is used to plant ideas in the readers head that Victoria neglects her children and doesn’t care for them properly. “Romeo – who was taken to hospital in Madrid last month after a fall” the reader is encouraged to think Victoria is a bad Mother. These ideas are immediately dismissed by saying Victoria “didn’t let go of her son’s hand”, showing she is caring. The ‘Daily Mail’ doesn’t have enough evidence to make this point a fact and have to subtlety suggest ideas and let the reader build their opinion. The 2nd column links to the article in the ‘Daily Star’ that Victoria isn’t always there for her children and her priorities are all wrong, as she has to get other people to care for her children. It comments on how Romeo had another fall and needed ‘two stitches in his forehead’ which adds to the idea that her children aren’t cared for. However is later states that ‘minders were in panic’ suggesting that Victoria can’t be there for her children and has to have people to help her as her lifestyle is too busy. Again this is dismisses as the parents ‘rushed to the hospital’. Information and facts about fits are included as the editor can argue that this article is in the public’s interest and not invasion of celebrity lifestyle. This article would entertain the reader, as it is celebrities’ mis-fortune. The overall article is balanced and the language used isn’t negative portrayal of Victoria although negative ideas are only suggested and the majority of the language is positive towards Victoria.
In contrast the other article is very negative portrayal of Victoria. The language is more informal and laid back and isn’t very informative, a lot of the article is based on the editors and reporters opinion. “As if that wasn’t rude enough” and “who does she think she is” are the reporter’s opinions and using language like this is sarcastic and negative. Alliteration is used to refer to David as ‘hunky hubby’ as this adds humour to the article. A sub-heading is used which is bold and in a larger font size than the article, it reads ‘Lavish’ the reader will interrupt that this is referring to Victoria as it reflects her lifestyle but as they read on it is about her family having to pick up her award. A quotation is included from her Mum which it very negative of Victoria, “Her sister Louise does an awful lot for her and we often look after Brooklyn and Romeo. I suppose you could say we are like her staff” this quotation is included as the article is trying to portray Victoria as arrogant and snobby. The quotation links to the caption under the picture and also to the other article I was studying. It shows that Victoria believes she is too good to look after her children or claim her awards so she gets her family to help. Her family thinking they are staff suggests that Victoria is ungrateful for what they do, linking to the arrogant picture of her in the top right.
Overall I believe that the two articles in similar in certain ways although they both have differences, which make them unique to the paper. The ‘Daily Star’ takes an informal approach, which is humorous but quite offensive to Victoria, the readers would read this for entertainment and celebrity interest. On the other hand the ‘Daily Mirror’ is informative and can be categorised under public interest, it includes pictures of David Beckham, as he is an icon and would increase sales.