The headline dominates the report, it is bold and large which makes it stand out. The key words in the headline are, thug, smashing, instead, intervened and terrible price. The journalist has used the word ‘thug’ as it describes the attacker being horrible. Violent and trouble. The word ‘instead’ highlights that Steven Parr had choices of what to do. The word ‘intervened’ is a formal word, it’s suggested ‘forceful’. Ben Taylor used the words ‘terrible price’ because of has action that’s Steven Parr was beaten up badly. The headline gives the reader a good idea of what has happened to Steven Parr. Also it is two sentences long and is a brief summary of the incident.
The picture of Steven Parr is large and covers most of the page. It shows us how badly injured Steven Parr is. Steven Parr’s right arm is in a sling and is out of the picture frame so the reader’s attention is directed to it. Steven Parr’s left eye is damaged and bruised, also he is looking directly at the reader with a serious face as if he is saying to us ‘look what they did to me!’ this shows us what the attackers are like as they had no sympathy for a middle aged man who the assaulted. Ben Taylor uses the picture of Steven Parr to make us turn against his attackers. The picture shows clear evidence of the brutal attack.
Ben Taylor wants us to understand that Steven Parr is an ordinary person. He builds up a positive image of Steven Parr by the detail that is given. We learn that he is a family man who has two 2 grown-up children. Steven Parr, 51 years old works as engineer supporting his family. He has a Springer spaniel called Bess, which suggests that he is an animal lover. Springer spaniels are known as gentil and not aggressive dogs, even the name ‘Bess’ sounds harmless.
Newspapers make very good use of quotation. It helps the reader to understand the feelings of the people involved in the stories being told. It can provide the opinions of experts and those involved in the events or incidents. Also using quotations can raise wider issues and make us think more carefully about the situation.
The news report based on Steven Parr uses quotations for all of these three reasons, first of all the reporter includes a quote from Mr.Parrs cousin, Dennis:
“He would always step in to help the rights and of others. He would always help in an emergency.”
The journalist chooses the words of Dennis because he is Steven Parr’s cousin therefore he knows him very well. The words ‘step in’ suggest that Steven Parr can be relied upon to intervene and take action of necessary. Being willing to safeguard the ‘rights’ of other people emphasises that Steven Parr believes that people are entitled to safety in their everyday lives. When he was attacked he was protecting community property: the phone box.
The fact that his cousin is 73 makes it more likely that he will sympathise with him.
A quote from the police:
“This was a brutal attack on a man who was doing his public duty.”
Supports Steven Parr’s cousin’s views: he was a good citizen doing his public duty. The word ‘brutal’ briefly shows that it was a terrible and violent attack.
Ben Taylor includes a quote from Steven Parr’s Wife, Mrs Parr:
“He is just wondering whether he did the right thing, its terrible.”
‘Wondering’ tells us that Steven Parr is thinking about the attack and whether he did the correct thing for the price he paid. His loved ones have also been affected by the attack as his wife describes it as ‘horrible attack’. This quotation from his wife makes us feel sorry for his family.
Ben Taylor makes us feel sympathy for Steven Parr adding a quotation from Steven Parr who was attacked:
“I regret doing what I did now; I just wish I’d walked away. I thought they were going to kill me.”
This quotation helps us understand more about how he felt during the attack. His own words ‘I thought they were going to kill me’ bring his fears to life. They make the story seam more real. They show he has been affected by what happened. The writer allows him to tell the story in his own words.
The reporter combines his own story with Steven Parr’s own version of what happened. This is effective as it makes the report stronger. The journalist considers the attack dreadful. Using Steven Parr’s words also seem more reliable. The reporter’s words and Steven Parr’s words mirror each other, for example Steven Parr calls his attacker an ‘animal’ while the reporter calls him a ‘thug’. The reporter comments on Steven Parr’s shaking voice, which shows us he was still frightened and Steven Parr’s story shows us why.
The writer establishes Steven Parr as a good, ordinary citizen through information to build up a picture and through quotations and comments from others. The writer also encourages us to feel shocked by the attack on Steven Parr by the language he uses to describe the assault. Also, he makes us turn against Steven Parr’s attackers.