Deconstruction of Newspapers

Jordan McGrath

Masthead- colour is bold and bright, which catches peoples eye. The colour red shows regionality and links to the Sunderland football club- red and white are signature colours.

Two main articles, evenly spaced on the front cover. Usually there is only one main article, however there is a red trim around the first article which separates the two. This will ensure that readers will not get confused between the two.

‘WIN’ is written in bright yellow font which catches the readers eye. The word itself draws the reader in.

Again bright yellow and white text stands out against the red background- catches readers eye.

Sub article- takes up a smaller proportion of the page as it is of less importance compared to the other to articles which are main articles. At the bottom of the image readers are given the chance to read the article as they are given the page number it features on

Advertisement- this keeps everyone interested, and diverts away from the news stories.

Essential information- including weather, date and the newspapers website

Local interest story- keeps target audience interests as news story is based in their local area. They could possibly relate to the event.

As it is a popular take away, this aspect of a deal/discount will draw a lot of readers in, and possibly those who are not in my target audience

QR- people can gain more information about the deal eg. Terms and conditions. Or this could be a link to the newspapers official website homepage which will appeal on the visitors smartphone.

Bold block capital font- stands out and puts main focus and concentration upon this one of the main articles

Size and position of the main highlights that it is the main image with is part of one of the main articles. The significance of the character wearing a Sunderland football shirt highlights that he is from the local area, which may in theory encourage more people to read the article.

QR- this is a link to the newspapers official website homepage which will appeal on the visitors smartphone. Helps to attract a wider target audience due to it being accessible through the internet- for example a younger target audience who are more experienced with technology.

Masthead-bold clear font which is easy for readers to read. Consistent colour used in every issue- this means that readers will be able to easily recognise which newspaper it is just by looking at the font and colour.

Essential information- informs readers of the price, website and issue date of the newspaper. Again website URL helps to attract wider target audience.

Bold bright heading- eye-catching and grabs the audiences attention. However does not fit with the rest of the more frequent colours used: blue, white and red. Puts focus on main story.

Bright colours used on advert are eye-catching- grabs the audiences attention. The different styles are fonts used are slightly distracting.

Large image is central and overlaps the main headline. This indicates the it accompanies the main article. The fist in the air implies that he is happy and proud about something- fits with the headline.

Sub-image accompanied by caption- indicates that it part of the main article. Highlights his huge achievement of winning a gold medal at the Paralympics

Sub-headings linking to the main article- gives more information about the article. This feature wouldn’t normally apply in this newspaper, however due to this huge achievement regarding the Paralympics the layout has been changed slightly. Highlight the importance of the Olympic and Paralympic games.

Phone number and website address allows readers to ring or go online and find out more details about the offer/deal.

Indications of page numbers allows the readers to read more information about the main article.

The Shields Gazette- Front Cover

The Evening Chronicle- Front CoverMasthead-bold clear font which is easy for readers to read. Consistent colour used in every issue- this means that readers will be able to easily recognise which newspaper it is just by looking at the font and colour. Advert for a popular leisure

activity- engages reader and encourages them to read on. The page number that the full advert is featured on is positioned at the bottom of the article- easily navigates the reader quickly to the right page. However the use of monochrome colours and lack of bright engaging colours may put the reader off fully viewing the offer, or they may not even notice it.

News about local celebrity ‘Cheryl Cole’- she is from the local area readers may want to read up on news about her. May make readers feel as if they are know her.

Advert for local music night- colourful compared to the other aspects of the newspaper. This will help to engage the reader. As it is at the bottom of the page

Images which accompany– sub-articles are more eye-catching and emotive as they are of a child and an elderly man. This types of stories are more attention grabbing and the public will feel more sympathetic towards these people. Also encourages people to read the newspaper.

Large bold block capital letters- grabs the readers attention and makes then want to read on and find out why this man is so brave. The fact that his occupation is a paramedic also appeals to the readers as they are associated with accidents and being courageous.

Writing is in bold and the colour yellow which grabs the readers attention as it is eye-catching and bright compared to the rest of the text on the front page. Places focus upon this element. Also the image of the Newcastle football player with the strip on fits the colour scheme of the newspaper.

Small advert- the use of the alliterative words “free fitting” may help to attract the readers encouraging them to read the magazine

Traditional British colours red, white and blue. Easily recognizable that it is a British newspaper.

Main story about a teenage girl- this may engage the readers into reading on. The fact that it is also an emotive story, it will most likely engage a wider audience, for example a teenage audience.

Humorous play on words of the word ‘bear’ as opposed to the correct spelling ‘bare’, which is a character most people will be familiar with. John Hughes football nickname is ‘Yogi’- this name is possibly most recognizable for fans.

Advert again with traditional British colours; red, white and blue. Again highlights that it is a British newspaper. The use of the buzzword “WIN” in bold block capital engage and intrigues the audience by putting forward that by have the chance to get a prize. Encourages them to read on.

This is again a play on words of the word ‘Hart’ as opposed to ‘Heart’. Abbreviation of the word Hartlepool highlights that the story is local news and the girl is from Hartlepool.

The image of the girl smiling is very welcoming, inviting and friendly- this may encourage people to read the story and gain awareness.

In this picture, John Hughes (Hartlepool United Manager) looks like he is happy and proud of something due to the way he is holding up the football club scarf high in the air. Engaging.

Essential information- including date, website address and price. Giving the web address helps to create a wider audience, including a younger audience who may be more experienced with computers.

The pirate ship at the end of the masthead also highlight that it is a newspaper specific to Hartlepool with it being a local attraction.

A tribute to famous figurehead- important stories brought up- my help to engage the audience and possibly widen its audience. This news will be popular with people of Hartlepool.

Happy and smiling image- making light of sad event.

Useful information positioned down the left hand side of the page such as useful contacts, Opening times etc. Readers can click to this contents page and easily find these things. Efficient and less time consuming.

Local landmark image, allows readers to identify that it is a local Sunderland newspaper at first glance. Landmark in Sunderland City Centre therefore it is something which will have been seen by most readers.

Option to subscribe and information on how to do so- including price, how much can be saved and how to apply for subscription. May help attract a broader target audience- for example elderly people who cant manage to go out to buy the newspaper. Increases the number of readers of the product.

Even though the article is small, it is still effective. The title may grab the readers attention due to the fact that it is in an ex- school. Also the positioning of the article my also have an impact on the number of readers- as it is at the bottom of the page readers are most likely to scan across the bottom of the page before they turn it, and read this short article.

Headline is a play on words ‘Having a hoot’. Links to the charity event which took place, a birds of prey display. The image also carries on this playful feel.

The ratio of text to picture in this article is about 50:50. This may be another factor which could influence and encourage reader to read this article. It is not overpowered by text, which may put the reader off reading the article. The image of the child smiling is very welcoming which may also make the reader want to read the article.

These small articles are quite eye-catching even though they only take up a small section of the page. This may be due to the fact they are positioned next to large block capital text which also stands out. The contrast between the two size differences makes both articles eye-catching a stand out.

Similar sort of layout to the Sunderland Echo- two clearly separated larger articles accompanied by one small brief articles and list of essential information down the left hand side of the page. This layout clearly outlines and separates each story from the other and doesn’t leave the page looking too over crowded with masses of writing.

Different sort of information featured in this left hand column compared to the Sunderland Echo. Rather than featuring lottery numbers, weather information, useful information, opening times etc, the Gazette advertises featured articles with headlines and images accompanied by page numbers. This gives readers a clear indication of where the top stories are, acting almost like a contents page.

Terms and Conditions box- this makes readers aware of what giving your details entails. For example if you give/supply your contact details (email address, mobile number etc) you agree to possibly being contacted by Johnston Press about new promotions etc. Creates awareness for readers.

As there is more image space compared to what there is text space, readers, may feel more gratified to read the articles as it is not overpowered by text. Sometimes when there is too much text readers don’t read the full story and just the start of it to get a brief idea of what the article is about. Therefore this aspect may encourage the reader to read the full article.

Another aspect which my encourage and influence readers to read this article is that fact that it is about a star from their local area. It may make them feel like they have a connection with them, building up a reader-writer relationship.

2 out of 4 of the image down the side which accompany both the headline and the page number are images of elderly people and children. These types of stories are the ones which are most emotive and which people are most likely to read.

Short story with snappy straight to the point headline- great kind out story for on-the-go readers. Doesn’t take long to read therefore more people are likely to read it- ideal for those who read the newspaper on short journeys.

Gazette

Unlike the other contents pages I have deconstructed, the Northern Echo has a Echo Index. This helps the reader to easily and quickly turn to the page which they need to be on without the hassle of looking through the whole of the newspaper. As well as page numbers to indicate the different types of pages in the newspaper, it is also colour coded to make it even easier for the reader.

As well as an Echo index, this left hand side column also features information about the weather, tides, world round-up (temperatures etc.) and information on holiday hotspots. It features a detailed weather report for that day as well as a four day regional outlook. It contains all the information which the other newspapers features, however in a more detailed way.

Northern Echo