2025 - PRACTICE
SOURCE A: MIRROR COVER:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRrGdi6bMAA5Rxk.jpg:large
SOURCE B: EXPRESS ARTICLE
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1919279/general-election-keir-starmer-labour-landslide
TITLE
How far have media conventions been used to construct viewpoints and ideologies in Sources A and B?
In your answer you must:
- outline the different conventions of the front pages of tabloid newspapers and online broadsheets, including use and style of headlines and images
- analyse the contrasting use of symbolic, technical and written conventions in the sources
- make judgements and reach conclusions on the way in which media conventions construct viewpoints on ideologies.
IMAGE AND ANCHORING TEXT - SOURCE A - PARAGRAPH FORMAT
1st – Establish the conventions that are being
used/challenged
A convention of tabloid newspapers is the selection of highly
emotive/sensational images that reinforce the ideological position of the
newspaper while also helping to reinforce the storefront nature of the front
page by accompanying a variety of different stories.
2nd – Describe the Source with relation to the conventions
– Does it use them? Or break them?
The use of image in source A, challenges one convention by
entirely dominating the page, as the paper feature only a splash with no off
lead or teasers.
3rd – Explain how this is related to the
construction of viewpoints and ideologies.
This is done to construct the viewpoint that the general
election is such an important event that it should and does dominate the national
narrative to the exclusion of all other stories.
4th – Repeat 2nd with a different
detail – If it breaks one does it use another? Can you say something about the
anchoring text?
However, the selected image is conventional in the sense
that it is emotive and reflects the political bias of the newspaper. The layering
effect around Starmer’s head, the unity of the pose (holding hands) and bright
red dress as a dominant colour on the page, combine to encode the idea of triumph,
of possibility and of forward movement.
5th – Repeat 3rd – If you previously stressed
viewpoint try to point out ideology and vice versa.
Tabloid newspapers and online broadsheets use contrasting media conventions to present news and shape viewpoints. Tabloids typically feature bold, sensationalist headlines in large fonts designed to grab attention and evoke emotion. Their front pages often include dramatic or provocative images, focusing on individuals or events in a highly visual and simplified manner. The language is usually informal and emotive, aimed at a broad audience. In contrast, online broadsheets use more restrained, formal headlines that prioritise clarity and credibility over impact. Their images are often smaller and more context-driven, supporting the accompanying article rather than dominating the layout. Broadsheets tend to use neutral language and complex sentence structures, appealing to readers seeking in-depth analysis. These conventions influence the audience’s interpretation of events, with tabloids usually encouraging more emotional, often judgmental responses, while broadsheets usually promote more critical and informed viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteTabloid newspapers and online broadsheets hold different conventions to appeal to its audience and present news. While Tabloid newspapers usually have a large, short and punchy headline to sell the newspaper, online broadsheets usually have longer headlines as their audience has already found their way to the newspaper. The tabloid headlines are usually informal, often featuring puns and colloquialisms, whereas broadsheets often use more formal language to maintain credibility. Online broadsheets typically use polysemic, contextual images as to not influence the beliefs of the readers, whereas tabloid newspapers use images that reinforce already held ideological positions, this is also shown in the way the headlines are written, as tabloid newspapers are often more sensationalist whereas online broadsheets are more factual. The front page of a newspaper acts as a storefront, so the tabloids large headline font makes it easier to spot from a distance.
ReplyDeleteI think this is the better of the first two because it is very direct, very clear in terms of its use of technical features and manages to more directly answer the question. I would be expecting this to achieve 10/10.
Deletei think this one is better because it is straight to the point and i like the point about the front page being a storefront.
DeleteBest one. The very best one. A****** 100/5
DeleteI like this ; it's well structured, comparative and easy to follow. There is relevant detail and knowledge of tabloid newspapers and online broadsheets.
DeleteTabloid newspapers and online broadsheets differ in their use of front page conventions, with both papers creating to appeal to their target audiences. Tabloid newspapers, such as The Mirror, tend to use dramatic, humorous and sensationalised headlines which often feature puns and informal dialect to elicit an emotive response from their readers. These headlines tend to be large, dramatic, bold and short, accompanied by clusters of images or one image that dominates the page. The content often follows the “if it bleeds it leads” quote by journalists, with news articles featuring crime and scandal. Meanwhile, online broadsheets, like The Express, features professional and relevant articles with formally toned headlines. The images used by these online broadsheets often feature informative context such as data or locations to support the articles.
ReplyDeleteTabloid newspapers and online newspapers use different conventions to present news and frame the status quo. Tabloids rely on big, bold headlines with casual, emotive language often including puns or slang to grab attention. Their front pages feature bold, sometimes exaggerated images that convey clear ideological positions and evoke emotional states. In contrast, online newspapers typically use longer, more formal headlines and essentially neutral language to ensure credibility. Their images are more restrained and contextual, supporting the article rather than dominating it. Because broadsheet readers actively seek out content, these platforms do not need to use sensationalism to attract interest. The broadsheet approach ensures critical, informed engagement, while tabloids focus on immediate impact. Design choices also reflect their function: tabloids use large fonts and dramatic layouts to stand out in print, while broadsheets prioritize clarity and interest for online readers. These stylistic differences affect how audiences interpret and respond to news.
ReplyDeleteMedia conventions have been used to construct viewpoints and ideologies in sources a and b. tabloid newspapers typically use sensationalist language, bold headlines and emotive imagery to appeal to a mass audience. This is clear in the mirror frontpage (Friday 5th July) during the 2024 election. In this front cover we can see a bold headline, which is empowering and uses a pun, and a good photo of keir starmer and his wife looking victorious, telling us that they are proud of the election results. Whereas, broadsheets tend to present stories with more formality and a focus on political social or economic analysis. This is seen in source two (the express article) with a low angle image of Keir starmer presenting him as a tyrant, followed by a heavier political explanation of the election. Overall, both sources use media conventions to construct very different viewpoints of the same event. Source a draws on a simplified narrative to provoke reaction whereas source b uses formal language to promote critical thinking and political engagement. Therefore, media conventions have been used in both sources but to construct opposing ideological frameworks.
ReplyDeleteMedia conventions have been used following the typical structure of a tabloid online newspaper, firstly they often use one large image with one main story on the front and often celebrities or well known figures are shown relevant to todays news. The headline is usually short yet punchy which is a standard tabloid convention. The colours are bold and structured and related to the theme of the article. However on an online broadsheet the layout is clean and minimalistic with a longer headline heavily contrasting with the tabloid covers shorter pun. There's little exaggeration with the story being surrounded by many other advertisements. These contrasting approaches reflect the different media ideologies from the two sources. Tabloid covers, following a typical tabloid style, using bold visuals, engaging imagery, and sometimes a pun-driven headline to create different presentation to the online broadsheet. In contrast online broadsheets follow a different style, with a longer, more critical headline and minimal visual emphasis, which suggests a contrasting ideology to the tabloid. This shows how media producers shape public perception not just through content, but through carefully chosen conventions that reflect their political leanings, intended audience, and goals.
ReplyDeleteTabloid and online newspapers use different conventions to present news and its public perception. Tabloids use bold, punchy headlines with emotive, informal language often using puns or slang to grab immediate attention. Their front pages feature large fonts and striking, sometimes exaggerated images that reinforce clear ideological views and provoke emotional responses. In contrast, online broadsheets use longer, more formal headlines and more neutral language to maintain credibility. Their images are contextual and, supporting the article without overwhelming it. While tabloids aim for instant impact to boost sales, broadsheets assume their audience is already engaged, allowing for a more factual, less sensationalist approach.
ReplyDeleteCodes and conventions of a tabloid newspapers are very clear and consistent to grab the attention of a mass audience. They consist of bold colours, dramatic headlines with colloquial (including puns) sensational and emotionally loaded language to create an immediate reaction for the reader. Headlines are usually short and punchy, placed over the top of the image to emphasise its meaning. The main image dominates the page. The images can be specifically selected to be eye-catching or intrusive. The language is informal and aimed at a large audience. Online broadsheets use more formal and specific headlines, they’re longer and may have multiple clauses for detailed context. They avoid exaggerative language and are more informative than emotional. The images are contextual and illustrate complex issues to support the article. They also use neutral language ensuring that they are polysemic. These conventions influence audience’s interpretation of events with tabloids being judgemental/informal and broadsheets being critical with promoted viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteTabloid newspapers and online broadsheets use different front page conventions to appeal to their target audiences and shape viewpoints. Tabloids like The Mirror rely on bold, dramatic headlines—often featuring puns, slang, or emotive language—to grab attention and evoke strong reactions. Their front pages are visually striking, with dominant or clustered images and minimal text, reflecting a focus on scandal, drama, or political outrage. This aligns with the “if it bleeds, it leads” mindset. In contrast, online broadsheets like The Express use more formal, informative headlines and restrained imagery that adds context rather than dominates. Their language is typically neutral and analytical, reflecting an emphasis on credibility and informed engagement. While tabloids aim for immediate emotional impact, broadsheets cater to readers seeking depth and context. These stylistic differences not only reflect audience expectations but also influence how news is framed and ideologies are reinforced.
ReplyDelete