Creation of Masthead

 I will be using Adobe Illustrator to create the pages for my newspaper. I am able to use the tabloid setup on the program which allows me to scale the features on the page more easily.

Before creating the draft for my masthead, I looked at other examples of mastheads, including the local papers. I found that the sizes ranged on average between 18cm – 25cm, the average being around 21cm. This made it a lot easier towards creating it on the page and being aware of where I will be placing the puff, the images, etc.

Choosing the font meant I had to find one that was formal enough that it fit the idea and style of a newspaper, but not so much so that it came across as a higher brow paper like The Times. Local newspapers use serif fonts usually to keep the traditional feel of them intact and make the audience feel that the paper is reliable, as it doesn’t change. The red colour is usually a sign of the paper’s political stance (labour in the case of red). The area that I live in is predominately Labour so it is more fitting with the target audience. Also it is a bold colour that will catch the eye and it is more acceptable too as it is a primary colour and most widely used amongst newspapers.

The text around the main title I used sans serif text in bold. The main title is supposed to give the feeling of never changing/traditionalist, whilst the information around it is built upon constant change, as the date of the paper is never the same and the inclusion of a web address tells the audience that the newspaper is still trying to keep up with the times whilst not sacrificing anything.

 

Second Page Layout

This is the layout of my second page of the newspaper. Inside you will usually find the continuation of the main headline from the front and a couple of smaller stories that will be told in full. If the main headline didn’t include an image on the first page, it is usually because it is a major piece of news that doesn’t require one. It will most likely be on the inside page. Unlike national newspapers, there may be a strip on the page that gives information for locals to get in contact with news and stories. Because local papers operate on a much smaller scale they are able to do this.

The name I have decided on for my newspaper is ‘The Lakes Gazette’. I obviously had to include the name of the area so the audience knows where the paper is focused. I made a list of other names that I considered to use:

·         The Cumbria Messenger

·         The Lakes Daily

·         The Lakes Tribune

·         The Furness Gazette

·         The Lakes Chronicle

·         The Cumbria Prophet

After asking more people, the feedback seemed most positive for “The Lakes Gazette” rather than the others, and I personally liked it the most, so this is the name I have decided to use.

First Page Layout - Draft

This is the draft for how I want my first page to look. Like most local papers there is room for advertising local businesses and sections that show that there is information about events that is crucial to a local paper as it means that people can get involved with their community (which again fuels the paper).

Getting the balance and symmetry correct on the front page is important as it is what people form a first impression of your paper from. The image is the main focus of the page as it is usually the most vibrant thing on the page. This is why I have placed it in the centre, as this is usually where we look first. The other sections have to be mirrored, so that the balance is kept. For example the masthead and strip beneath it are equalled with the advertisement at the bottom. The strip along the side is mirrored with the space opposite it. Keeping it organised is also a sign of professionalism and sets up a rough narrative - an order in which the paper should be looked and read.

Target Audience

Target Audience

The target audience of a newspaper is the most important aspect of putting it together. Without a target audience you cannot build up the language, style, content, etc. as you have no one to suit it to. A target audience is the main group/type of person that you will be aiming your product at. To do this I need to come up with an idea of the type of person I will be aiming for and how I can use this to tailor my newspaper to represent my target audience.

My target audience firstly will be aimed more at adults, roughly anyone over the age of 18. This isn’t to say that anyone younger couldn’t read it as these people will make up a secondary audience, but the content will not be orientated towards them.

Apart from the age range, I expect my audience to be educated and have an interest in the news. The class I would be aiming at would be working class and middle class, although I am not looking at being a middle class paper, similar to The Guardian. To do this I have considered the pricing of my paper. High end papers often pass the £1 boundary, but the local papers that I have looked at are not as cheap as tabloids (around 20 – 35p) and are around the 40p – 80p price range.

From looking at my local paper and others, the main topics are usually local politics, for example plans for the area, buildings or they are of public interest, which include stories such as accidents, fights, deaths etc. It is rare that a story is positive, much like any newspaper (negativity is one of the main criteria that fit how “newsworthy” something is according to studies carried out by Galtung & Ruge). Many connect more with negative stories because they can empathise, especially if they knew that this story was local and happened close by or possibly to someone they knew personally.

Links to information that I have read:

http://www.slideshare.net/osmithas/newspapers-target-audiences

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_values

Language of newspapers

Aside from graphology, language is the main way in which newspapers influence their audience.  The language however is dependent on the type of newspaper. For example tabloids are more likely to use dramatic, sensationalised language and occasionally hyperbole to hook the audience, which when combined with the graphology (images) can create whatever emotion the paper is aiming for.




 

For example, this excerpt from the Daily Mirror shows how blunt the language can be in newspapers. Some headlines can be sensitive for some, but this is the main aim of the paper – to create emotion within the reader and entice them to purchase the paper.

Opening the story is perhaps the most important part of the article, as this is where they need to hook the reader so that they will continue. They are succinct and will condense the main gist of the article down. These small opening paragraphs are often snappy and to the point and like the headline will try to grab attention.

The excerpt above shows an example. The first word seen is “Shocked”, which has bolded for added

emphasis. Already the reader will be intrigued. The inclusion of “Liz Hurley” is also hooking the reader as it we have a celebrity that has been “shocked”. Tabloids exist for this kind of purpose, insight into the lives of those we see on television everyday.  Word choice is also a big influence, “confronted”; “striking” and “screaming” all give the story a violent, chaotic tone. Stories with these sorts of themes are often topical as they are happening every day and both us as readers and the writers are drawn to negative topics more so than the positive.

(an example of an American study carried out over a 20 year period, showing ‘war’, ‘disaster’ and ‘crime’ were constantly popular topics in the news: http://pewresearch.org/pubs/574/two-decades-of-american-news-preferences)

Tabloids also strive to develop their relationship with the reader through synthetic personalisation. This is the use of personal pronouns, rhetorical and inclusive language to create trust and an almost friendship with the reader so they are more likely to absorb and take in the ideas and information the paper puts across. For example, saying “we are not happy” automatically includes the reader as though they are on board with what is being said. Rhetorical questions are a way of getting the reader to think about the story and invite them to state their opinion. Depending on how they are worded, they can sometimes lead the reader into the same state of mind as the writer.

Facts/statistics and personal stories are also used to do this. Facts and statistics are vital almost as people will trust them, especially if backed up by a professional (doctor, scientist, ect).  Personal stories are not common on main stories, but editorials and columns often include them as people often feel better about something knowing someone else has been in that situation.

Wordplay and wit are often used in headlines, for example:

This is usually used positively like the instance above, but it can be used to mock and make the story more scathing, particularly towards celebrities and politicians depending on public opinion. They inject humour and because they are informal, they again allow a connection to form between writer and reader.

Images Used:

http://www.politicshome.com/images/Dec_2010/Mirror_Dec14.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdW4PDYeDikjOzUg9OBfpabqvIQ1XQ33ueJE8Wb4m_ceYtzDwwR2pS5pYGhe7S5p76u2urkaclS0u1-AQ2TAQ9FTCEHbIoHb5WyUHrpVulvH3V8FWBKr3gSI6OOs5HaQps0VF5mStbkgx/s1600/hurley.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3clJjKOK0JxeA0TAu8EyYrVGfo06FNcIq5YtEnQLpMPtcfxhC4xD_poMK7cBTr1IFogUezajv1RpE5iJUaaPcJjoJTAhtsm3gfoXWiAwdQ8fLkwjvY5RsTqW45IeVlRUtHusz6IDuwzq/s400/ObamaWinsFrontPageUK

Comparison of newspapers from different countries.

I decided to compare some newspaper front pages from different English speaking countries to see if there were any major differences. I chose to look at broadsheets because I thought that the differences here may be more prevelant than those of a tabloid.

Sources for images:
Toronto Star (Canada):

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/47/Toronto_Star_frontpage.jpg

Washington Post (USA):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/interactivity/images/frontpage-1-13-950.jpg

The Times (UK):
http://www.bridgemanart.com/Media%20library/IMAGES/NEWS%20AND%20FEATURES/EN-GB/IMAGES%20IN%20ACTION/2010/TIMES-FRONT-PAGE.JPG

Sydney Herald (Australia):
http://geotypografika.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/sydney-paper.jpg

Timeline for Newspaper Brief

·         The first two pages of a new local newspaper, together with two of the following three options:

 

Timeline

July 2012:

·         Began to look into the conventions of a newspaper.

·         Collecting local newspapers, to compare the layout of each and see if they fit the conventions.

·         Analysing 3 local papers

September 2012:

·        Questionnaire from the analysis of local front covers to aid in the creation of your own (10 minimum).

·        Research into layout styles, fonts, editing, writing styles used in creating newspaper pages.

·        Research into ideology of newspapers – ideas, representations.

·        Info tree – synergy between newspaper, local companies, parent companies, job roles. Also separate one for national papers.

October 2012:

·         Sketches of the front cover and inside page layout, using information gathered from research.

·         Ideas for stories on the inside and front cover, name of paper.

·         Ancillary tasks – Radio advertisement & Poster for paper.

·         Gather/create images that will be used.

·         Drafts for pages.

November 2011:

·         Evaluation begun (see the tips and questions over the page)

·         Editing completed – end of month

·         Blog updated with all research and planning elements and the paper itself.

Codes & Conventions of a Newspaper

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2009/nov/10/sun-rupert-murdoch#

Newspapers employ different techniques on the front page to make sure they target their audience and hook them in. The main focus of the front page is often the splash. This is the day’s biggest story and often the selling point of the newspaper. It takes up the biggest space on the page so it is the first thing the potential audience lays their eyes on whilst signifying its importance.                                                                                                                            

  The headline and Standfirst also contribute to this. The headline is usually written in large block writing, and made to sound dramatic to entice readers to carry on reading. The standfirst is a continuation of the headline, a small paragraph that gives a little more insight into the story without spoiling any of it so that the reader will want to purchase it. On national papers the splash is almost always accompanied with images, adding a dimension of believability to the story, so the audience can connect straightaway.                                                                 

 The masthead is the second largest item on the page. It is the title of the paper and they all are all unique, so the paper has a sense of identity.  They catch attention by being large and bold (The Sun above uses bright red for instance, so it stands out from the black and white). Below the masthead there is room for incentives. They tend to be different every week and offer a variety of things for the reader should they buy the paper (music is often a very popular choice). This could also be replaced with competitions and adverts.                                            

  Secondary stories are placed around the main story, accompanied by a smaller headline and a Byline, telling the reader who has written the article. National newspapers also include certain sections for sport and celebrity news, which may or may not be sometimes advertised on the front page.

http://www.bridgemanart.com/en-GB/news-and-features/images-in-action/2010/Sept/time-front-page

 

Broadsheets differ from national newspapers in the sense that they are regarded ideologically as higher class and for more intelligent people as they concern themselves with serious issues such as politics rather than celebrities.                                                                                                                                                             

 Aesthetically, they are less colourful than tabloids, as they are serious and their sole aim is to inform people on current issues. The writing is smaller and there is a lot more of it, to suggest to the reader that the article is in depth and will take more effort to read than a standard article in a tabloid. Images are used still, and are often the most colourful thing on the page. However they are smaller than those that appear on tabloids as there is less emphasis on them, they are used to expand on the article and also add a sense of realism.                                                                                                                                         

They don’t usually put adverts on the front page, but do use incentives such as the cover above. These incentives are more geared to their target audience and potentially an audience who may choose to buy the paper due to a high brow offer.  They still use the basic conventions of a newspaper, such as masthead, splash, ect. Another thing that differs between broadsheet and tabloid is the style of writing. Tabloids will often use language that makes their stories sound as dramatic and sensationalist as possible to hook readers, as well as puns which make the writer sound friendlier, establishing a connection with the reader to encourage buying the paper.                                                                                                                                               

  In this respect it makes broadsheets seem more serious and more in fitting with society’s view of them. Broadsheets simply aim to tell the reader the story and convey facts. It could be suggested that they aim for a niche audience, as tabloids try to cater to everyone by mixing entertainment with serious news, whereas not everyone enjoys reading a broadsheet.



http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/in-the-mix/2011/01/28/liverpool-echo-see-the-front-and-back-pages-of-our-latest-edition-100252-28049192/

Local newspapers are varied, as some choose to use the tabloid style layout, whilst others opt for the broadsheet style. The main difference is content, as it is all localised. News and images are familiar to those who live in the area and for this reason they have a greater sense of community than national newspapers.       

 A sense of community is what local papers maintain as it encourages the audience to buy it, so they can feel more involved with the area they live in. Adverts used are always for the benefit of local businesses and events, which again benefit the paper as there is a synergy between them – businesses pay for advertising space like larger companies do for national papers, which means the newspaper is continually funded.                                                                                                                                                                                         Depending on the demographic of the area, the content can vary. For instance the Liverpool Echo example has two stories on the front concerning sport, which is understandable as Liverpool identifies heavily with football culture. Some areas may try and make stories and features more youth friendly, especially if local newspapers have begun to utilise the internet to create a webpage for people to use. This itself can have advantages as it is more widely available for people who may be visiting the area, ect.

 

 

The 4 front pages are all rather similar to each other; there are some changes in the positioning of the articles between them. The mastheads of each paper are very similar, with the exception of the Evening Chronicle. The masthead is blue, which seems to be the primary colour of the paper as it is used a lot on the page. The rest are using red banners that have more in common with tabloids like The Sun and The Daily Star. The Evening Chronicle also uses a text which is more stylish and modern than the others, possibly as they are targeting themselves at a certain audience (e.g. younger people). The other three maintain the more formal font that most papers utilise.       

 The papers that have used the red banner are better at catching the eye personally, the blue doesn’t have the same effect, but it makes for a more interesting look. All of the papers use at least one large image, the Gazette and The Chronicle both place it at the top of the page, but not for the main story. This is also the case with the Evening Mail, who delegates its largest image to the smaller story. This works nicely as the large headline works almost as well as the image at encouraging you to read the paper, so it has another way to hook the reader. All of them keep the advertising at the bottom of the page, which stops it from looking bare.

 

Images Used:

 http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/04/20/exclusive-former-aston-villa-players-on-broad-street-brawl-charge-97319-30798112/

 

http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx

 

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/multimedia/news/local-news/2012/09/21/chronicle-front-and-back-pages-from-september-2012-72703-31780998/

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:North-West_Evening_Mail.jpg