Glossary for Analysing a British Newspaper Front Cover
Masthead
The newspaper’s title/logo at the top of the front page; key to brand identity (e.g. The Guardian, The Sun).
Headline
The large, bold title of the lead story; grabs attention and sets the tone.
Standfirst
A short introductory sentence or paragraph under the headline; offers a summary or tease.
Byline
Name of the journalist who wrote the article, sometimes with location or job title.
Dateline
The publication date, usually near the masthead.
Main Image / Lead Image
The dominant photograph or graphic, often supporting the splash story.
Caption
Brief explanation under or near an image, identifying people, context or linking to the story.
Splash
The main story on the front page; typically paired with the largest headline and image.
Secondary/Off Lead
An additional story on the front page, usually smaller in scale than the splash.
Puff
A visual device (often in a coloured box or shape) that promotes extra content like features or exclusives.
Banner
A strip across the top or bottom of the page highlighting key content or offers.
Strapline
A short phrase above or below the headline offering more detail.
Teasers / Promos
Smaller headlines or images encouraging readers to turn to inside pages.
Pull Quote
A quote from the article enlarged on the front page for emphasis.
Typography
Use of font styles and sizes to create hierarchy, identity and tone.
Colour Palette
The specific colours used to reflect branding or tone (e.g., red for urgency, blue for authority).
Price and Barcode
Commercial details often found near the masthead or bottom corner.
Layout
Arrangement of all elements on the page; varies by format (e.g., tabloid vs. broadsheet).
Mode of Address
The way the newspaper speaks to its readers—can be formal, informal, sensational, etc.
Glossary for Analysing Articles on a British Newspaper Website
Headline
A bold, attention-grabbing title; often adapted for search engines and social media.
Standfirst
Introductory sentence or paragraph summarising the article before the main body.
Byline
Author’s name, typically at the top, sometimes with links to more of their work.
Timestamp / Dateline
Shows when the article was published or updated; signals timeliness.
Lead Paragraph
The opening paragraph giving the key facts (who, what, when, where, why, how).
Inverted Pyramid
News structure where the most important info appears first, with details following in order of decreasing importance.
Hyperlink
Clickable text linking to related articles, sources, or external content.
Embedded Media
Videos, images, infographics or audio placed within the article to enhance meaning or engagement.
Pull Quote
Highlighted quote from the article, often visually separated to draw the reader’s eye.
Related Articles
A list of suggested content, often shown in a sidebar or at the end of the article.
Social Sharing Icons
Buttons that allow readers to share content via platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, or WhatsApp.
Comments Section
Reader responses to the article, sometimes moderated or limited to subscribers.
Advertisement / Sponsored Content
Commercial content embedded within the article or page; may appear in banners, sidebars or pop-ups.
Paywall
A subscription model that limits access to full articles unless the reader pays or registers.
Cookie Banner
A notice requesting permission to track user data for legal compliance (UK GDPR laws).
Navigation Bar / Menu
The menu at the top or side of the site allowing users to find sections (e.g., News, Sport, Opinion).
Tone
The article’s voice—can be neutral, critical, humorous, formal, etc.
Bias
A perceived slant in the article’s reporting or perspective—may be political, cultural or ideological.
House Style
The consistent writing and formatting style followed by a particular publication (e.g., The Times vs. The Mirror).
Accessibility Features
Design choices like alt text, readable fonts or captioned videos that ensure access for all users.
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