Newspaper Codes and Conventions Flashcards
What is the masthead?
This is the name of the paper, which can signify the paper’s ethos and values.
What is the plug?
This usually runs along the top of the front page of a newspaper and advertises lighter aspects of the news.
Usually is a stark contrast to the headline
- any other story aside from the main story
What is the headline?
This will be in a larger font than the rest of the front page story, the aim being to attract the audience.
Popular headlines use colloquialisms, hyperbolic language, alliterations and superlatives in a means of targeting the audience.
What are colloquialisms?
An informal expression that is often used in casual conversation rather than in writing.
What is the strapline?
This is usually placed above the main headline and provides more information or anchors the meaning of the central image
What are subheadings?
These are short headlines, which break up the main text to make it easier to read.
They appear in all papers but are mainly popular in tabloids.
What is a caption?
Brief text underneath an image describing the photograph or graphic.
What is the stand first?
This is a block of text that introduces the story, normally in a style different from the body text and headline.
What is the copy?
This is the text or writing found in a newspaper.
The copy provides a narrative to the topic being discussed.
What is the threshold?
The threshold is the main story of the day. This story will appear on the front page of most newspapers, have wide coverage on national television as well as social media.
