Newspapers- Media language and Representation

Question 1

How does the times’ masthead reflect the ideology of the times newspaper?

Answer 1

• Bold, traditional serif font.
• royal crest (lion and unicorn) - idea of ‘quality’ newspaper, longevity and traditionality
• ‘the times’ reflect current issues of the time

Question 2

Compare the headlines and subheadings of the daily mirror and the times.

Answer 2

The Times
‘police investigate PM’s four lockdown parties’
- informative, not sensitised
- mention of police, severity
- ‘four’, repeated response

‘gray criticises leadership and drinking culture’
- still informative but focus on ‘drinking culture’ is critical
- mention of police

The daily Mirror
‘ZERO SHAME’
- typography of capital letters
- colour of numbers emphasise the amount of evidence
- large text
sensationalism, dramatic
- ellipsis, emphasises still no apology

• political bias, negative representation

Question 3

bullet points about the adverts on the times

Answer 3

• image covering masthead, so recognisable
• ‘do the bare minimum’ positioned next to woman yawning - relatable
• ‘pandemic puppy’ cultural and historical context of pandemic - relating to patygate
• soft story

Question 4

How does the front cover on the times reflect the literacy levels of its audience?

Answer 4

fairly large image, still lots of text (especially compared to mirror)

Question 5

bullet points about the image on the time’s front cover.

Answer 5

• CU, cropped image
• out of context
• scrunched up face, embarrassment? uncertain? anger?
• dress code of suit and tie - power and wealth

Question 6

bullet points about pull quotes on the times from cover.

Answer 6

• Sue Gray investigation
• failures of leadership and judgment
• anchors meaning of image, position next to it, Boris seems to be looking at it
• implicit critique of Boris Johnson’s failure (unusual, centralist)
• ellipses, more to come

Question 7

How and why does the front cover reflect public opinions towards ‘party gate’?

(The Times)

Answer 7

• representation critiques johnson’s leadership and behaviour, change from usual ‘centralist’ views
• reflect the scale of the British public’s reaction, appeal to that audience. buy newspaper.

Question 8

Language code used by the times to suggest its importance

Answer 8

• “The time’s verdict”
• ‘verdict’ - their judgment is important

Question 9

Explain a binary opposition on the front cover of the times.

Answer 9

‘Drinking culture’ is usually associated with the working class, drunks. representing the upper class, powerful conservatives as lazy, drinking instead of doing their jobs.

Question 10

What can be said about other stories on the front cover of the times?

Answer 10

‘In the news’ section
jump lines remain factual, “six times as many migrants crossed the channel” unbiased

formal mode of address, lack of colloquial language

Question 11

Strapline of The Daily Mirror.

Answer 11

‘the heart of britain’ central to Britain as a country and its public.

Question 12

How does The Daily Mirror’s front page adhere to the conventions of tabloid print?

Answer 12

• large image, heading and subheading
• little text, sans serif font (eye catching)

… reflecting/ engaging to low literacy levels of readers

Question 13

bullet points about codes used in image of boris johnson

(The Daily Mirror)

Answer 13

• editing, large on page, powerful
• dress code, suit and tie, decoded to suggest his power
• facial expression, smirk, represents him as unapologetic, shameless
• anchored by headline; ZERO SHAME. he should feel shame.

Question 14

What language codes reinforces the daily mirrors political views?

Answer 14

• SHAMELESS
• ‘out partying’ “the rest of the nation was diligently sticking to the rules” (binary opposition)
• “snubbed” “brashly responding” negative colloquial words
• partygate

Question 15

Give two intertextual references used in the daily mirror’s front cover/double page spread.

Answer 15

“partygate” may remind certain audiences of ‘watergate’ where US president Nixon was investigated for corruption.

“the winner takes it all” ABBA song played during party’s representing conservatives as selfish and cruel. Appealing to ideologies of working class readers

Question 16

Bullets about point binary opposition(s) on double page spread.

Answer 16

• cropped, out of context, medium image of boris johnson drinking champagne
• next to NHS workers in ppe, heroic, risky work.
• “hannah’s quiet dignity with his lying bombast” victim vs villain

Question 17

bullet points about Kier Starmers interview.

Answer 17

• collective, inclusive mode of address, “dear” “our” “we” “us” reflects ideology of newspaper, collective with britain “heart of britain”
• political bias, house colours
• flattery, “the british people aren’t fools” represent as public as good. Gain voter supports

Question 18

How does the stories of the public appeal on the double page spread to audiences?

Answer 18

• accounts from members of the public from ranges of ages and ethnicities
• specific audiences feel heard (uses and gratifications)
• ‘reflecting’ british public, link to ideology

Question 19

How are NHS and Key workers represented in the set text.

Answer 19

HEROIC,
- binary opposition with bojo,
- “critical care” language code anchors image, importance of NHS
- Dress code, ppe dangerous role

VICTIMS
- “saves the NHS” language codes

Question 20

Double page spread using language codes to establish sensationalism.

Answer 20

• “stain on our great nation”
• “lying bombast”
• “snubbed” “brashly responding”

negative colloquial words

Question 21

How does the daily mirror use satire?

Answer 21

editing on image of Putin “I cant be associated with that sort”
humour, sensationalism