media language

Question 1

what is the masthead text and colours?

Answer 1

block text
colours are red and white

Question 2

what other newspapers uses the same design as the sun?

Answer 2

The Mirror, The Sunday People and The Daily Star

Question 3

how do we know that a newspaper specialise in tabloid journalism?

Answer 3

the design of block text and the colours red and white.
these are termed ‘red tops’

Question 4

what do tabloid journalism often rely on?

Answer 4

on sensationalism, celebrities, and gossip

Question 5

what are tabloids also renowned for?

Answer 5

for simplifying complex political issues

Question 6

explain the headline “Join our jabs army”
1. what is the use here?
2. why?
3. what does the choice of the term “army” mean for the campaign?
4. what is the use of military language for?
5. what does the use of “our” connotes?

Answer 6

1. uses an imperative
2. to call readers to action, asking them to volunteer as a steward at the vaccination centres
3. the choice of the term “army” for the campaign frames Covid as a common, tangible enemy that the readers can help defeat.
   4.the use of military language for a medical story is typical of tabloids, who often use it in sports stories too.
4. the use of “our” connotes that The Sun is a proactive, dynamic paper that is helping the country

Question 7

explain the puff “Jabs army”
1. what is the puff in a shape of?
2. why does it have a union flag image?
3. what does the heart juxtaposes the term of?
4. however, what does the heart connote?
5. what does the flag also implies?

Answer 7

1. the puff “Jabs army” is in the shape of a heart,
2. with a Union Flag image, making it appear like a badge the volunteers might receive or a logo they might wear to connect them to the scheme.
3. the heart juxtaposes the term army
4. but it connotes that the group’s actions will be caring and generous.
5. the flag also implies that helping to ‘fight’ covid is a matter of national pride and patriotism

Question 8

what is the main image?

Answer 8

photoshopped picture of the clock face on the Elizabeth Tower (also known as Big Ben)

Question 9

why is the main image an iconic symbol?

Answer 9

is an iconic symbol of British culture and would be recognised by most of the audience, especially on 1st January when many people would have heard Big Ben tolling at midnight to bring in the new year.

Question 10

what has the designer replaced in the main image highlighting what?

Answer 10

replaced the clock hand with a syringe, which highlights that this story is about vaccinations

Question 11

what does the needle pointing at 12 indicates and suggest? (the main image)

Answer 11

an indication of the new year arriving, whilst also suggesting to the audience that time is of the greatest importance when it comes
to distributing the vaccination

Question 12

how is the sense of urgency reinforced? (the main image)

Answer 12

reinforced in the body copy of the article, “help get millions vaccinated rapidly”

Question 13

how has the pull quotes been carefully chosen?

Answer 13

to appeal to The Sun’s mainstreamer audience

Question 14

pull quotes: why are Gary Lineker and Kate Garraway trusted celebrities?

Answer 14

are trusted celebrities with personal experiences of Covid-19 within their families, which have been widely reported in the press

Question 15

pull quotes: each quote serves what?

Answer 15

a different purpose for the paper

Question 16

what is Lineker’s pull quote about?

Answer 16

praising the campaign itself, therefore giving it his endorsement

Question 17

why is Kate Garraway’s pull quote more emotive and personal?

Answer 17

I see Covid up close with my Derek”, using collective pronouns to create a sense of positivity and relatability, “let’s all club together”

Question 18

what does the opening to the article on the right third of the cover “the sun says…” suggest?

Answer 18

suggesting the newspaper has real influence
and reinforces their strength of opinion on this matter

Question 19

what does the standfirst “our fantastic readers” uses and how does this encourage the audience?

Answer 19

uses flattery
encourage the audience to get involved in the campaign

Question 20

how does the article build a sense of community?

Answer 20

use of collective pronouns, “us” and “we”

Question 21

what does the direct address “YOU” reinforces?

Answer 21

the jingoistic tone of the headline

Question 22

jingoistic

Answer 22

someone who believes that their own country is always best

Question 23

what does the off-lead story positioned in the masthead pictures?

Answer 23

the PM, Boris Johnson with his thumbs up

Question 24

what does the off-lead story positioned in the masthead connotes?

Answer 24

positivity and optimism

Question 25

what does the byline indicates?

Answer 25

that this off-lead story is a political story and will involve the government

Question 26

what headline supports the byline?

Answer 26

the headline “PM: Britain Brexpects”,

Question 27

what link is the headline “PM: Britain Brexpects”?

Answer 27

intertextual link

Question 28

the headline “PM: Britain Brexpects”, what is very clear from the sun?

Answer 28

By aligning Johnson with these two people, it is clear The Sun’s ideology in this article is pro- Johnson and pro-Brexit

Question 29

explain the layout of the sun
1. headlines
2. use of colours
3. placement of images
4. use of subheadings
4. use of boxed articles

Answer 29

• Bold, eye-catching headlines
• Use of colors: red, white, and black
• Placement of images: above the fold and in the middle of the page
• Use of subheadings to highlight important information
• Use of boxed articles with borders to draw attention

Question 30

explain the cover photographs/images
1. what does it often features?
2. what are the images usually like?
3. what does the image sometimes include

Answer 30

• Often features a large, dominating photograph with a caption or headline
• Images are usually emotive and provocative to elicit a strong emotional response from readers
• Images sometimes include celebrities or famous figures to attract attention

Question 31

explain the house style
1. language
2. sentences
3.language
4. text
5. the use of tabloid-style fonts and layout conveys?

Answer 31

• Use of slang and colloquial language
• Use of short, punchy sentences
• Use of dramatic and exaggerated language
• Use of bold, italicized, and underlined text to emphasize important points
• Use of tabloid-style fonts and layouts to convey a sense of urgency and excitement

Question 32

how is the masthead prominently featured?

Answer 32

at the top of the page, usually in large text with a red background

Question 33

what does the masthead contains?

Answer 33

the paper’s logo and branding

Question 34

why does the sun often use emotive language?

Answer 34

to engage readers’ emotions and create a sense of outrage or moral indignation

Question 35

why can the language be aggressive and combative?

Answer 35

to provoke a response from readers

Question 36

when is formal language used?

Answer 36

direct quotes or when reporting statistics and facts

Question 37

what is the use of emotional language used to create?

Answer 37

a bond with readers, encouraging them to feel like the paper is on their side and fighting for their interests

Question 38

what are examples of such headlines from the 1st January 2021?

Answer 38

• “Royal shock: What the Queen said to Harry in private”
• “Shocking confession: Ex-Love Island star spills all”
• “Bombshell revelation: Celeb couple’s secret wedding”
• “Mystery solved: Police release new information in unsolved murder case”
• “Exposed: The truth about diet pills and their dangers”

Question 39

what does all headlines pose to create?

Answer 39

a sense of intrigue and mystery that draws the reader in and encourages them to read on to discover the answers.

Question 40

what is the common technique used for all headlines?

Answer 40

enigma code to engage readers and increase circulation