Will target a local but very broad audience, age range could be from 10-100 years old, people from all socio-economic groups will be reading it. People with different religious beliefs, interests, politics, family circumstances etc.
Primary Media- Pay very close attention to a media text
Secondary Media- Skim through, and look for something to catch your eye
Tertiary Media- Media is present but we are not consciously aware of it, for example the adverts in the newspaper
The circulation of the newspaper doesn't neccessarily affect how well the paper is doing. For example if a doctor's surgery buys the newspaper, it could be read by around 30 people during the day.
Local Newspapers can be kept for up to around a week, and refer back to them again, so they are not just looked at once.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Design Checklist
Gather together all the material for your article and decide what is essential and what's optional.
Give each page a main story or a main picture that will catch the readers' attention.
Give your best picture a prominent place on the page.
Scatter other pictures around the page so they don't compete for attention.
Vary the shapes and sizes of your pictures.
Check the eye movement of the page to make sure it's clear where the reader should read next.
Make sure every picture has a caption and every story has a headline.
Use lines and boxes sparingly, and only if they are needed to make seperation clear.
Give each page a main story or a main picture that will catch the readers' attention.
Give your best picture a prominent place on the page.
Scatter other pictures around the page so they don't compete for attention.
Vary the shapes and sizes of your pictures.
Check the eye movement of the page to make sure it's clear where the reader should read next.
Make sure every picture has a caption and every story has a headline.
Use lines and boxes sparingly, and only if they are needed to make seperation clear.
Writing a Newspaper Article
The structure of a standard newspaper story
The lead paragraph is straight to the point and brief, saying what has happened.
The second paragraph says why there has been concern.
'Public Health Chief' etc introduces an 'expert view' which is quoted in direct speech.
A question is posed to help involve the reader. Back to reported speech for variety.
Back to the expert telling the reader what they can, or perhaps can't do.
Reassures readers who might be concerned about wider implications.
Don't call us! Conclusions usually avoid quotes, and sometimes anticipate how the story might develop-'what happens next?'
Using photographs
You should try to use photographs in every article as they enhance visual appeal and make the story much easier for people to understand. Photographs must be of a good quality.
Making stories fit
If stories are too long, you can cut the text, trim or resize any photos, shorten the headline or alter the font.
If stories are too short, you can add text, enlarge a photo, add a standfirst, alter size of font, put a space between paragraphs, add crossheads, add a lift quote or advertisement material.
The lead paragraph is straight to the point and brief, saying what has happened.
The second paragraph says why there has been concern.
'Public Health Chief' etc introduces an 'expert view' which is quoted in direct speech.
A question is posed to help involve the reader. Back to reported speech for variety.
Back to the expert telling the reader what they can, or perhaps can't do.
Reassures readers who might be concerned about wider implications.
Don't call us! Conclusions usually avoid quotes, and sometimes anticipate how the story might develop-'what happens next?'
Using photographs
You should try to use photographs in every article as they enhance visual appeal and make the story much easier for people to understand. Photographs must be of a good quality.
Making stories fit
If stories are too long, you can cut the text, trim or resize any photos, shorten the headline or alter the font.
If stories are too short, you can add text, enlarge a photo, add a standfirst, alter size of font, put a space between paragraphs, add crossheads, add a lift quote or advertisement material.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Writing Newspaper Articles
1st Part
Main Points
Topic Sentence/5 W's
Hook
2nd Part
Additional esential iformation
-Starts to develop the story
3rd Point
Less important information
-Can be dropped
-May look into background
The headline, accurate and in the present tense
First sentence, 5 W's, no more than 22 words as a grabline
First Paragraph, make the reader curious, include a hook
Be accurate, facts should be correct
Avoid cliches
Search for special ingredient that makes your story stand out
Paragraphs throughout should consist of around 2 or 3 sentences
Use quotes (expert opinion or direct witness)
Keep language simple
Nine Golden Rules
1. KISS - Keep it short and simple
Local papers normally have shorter sentences of around 16-20 words
Keep to familiar simple vocabulary which the broadest audience can access
2. Reading for speed- sentences and headlines are short
Crossheads break the story down into bitesize pieces
Columbs are narrow and easy to read
3. Never use three words when one will do
You will rarely see the following phrases in newspapers:
In the near future
In the first instance
On the subject of
In the small hours
In consequence of
4. Don't repeat yourself
Don't use two words that mean the same thing, for example uniquely special, final outcome, important essentials
5. Use active verbs
E.g. Burgulars took the corgi, rather than the corgi was taken by the burgulars
6. PLay with language
Use puns, E.g. chippy gets a battering, Steve Davis arrived on 'cue'
7. Make the story personal
People sell papers, use pictures etc
8. Categorise people in the news
For example, grey haired pensioner, secret lover, mother of two, retired teacher, 65
9. Things to aviod
Cliches
Euphamisms
Being too chatty
Unneccessary use of foreign or American phrases
Main Points
Topic Sentence/5 W's
Hook
2nd Part
Additional esential iformation
-Starts to develop the story
3rd Point
Less important information
-Can be dropped
-May look into background
The headline, accurate and in the present tense
First sentence, 5 W's, no more than 22 words as a grabline
First Paragraph, make the reader curious, include a hook
Be accurate, facts should be correct
Avoid cliches
Search for special ingredient that makes your story stand out
Paragraphs throughout should consist of around 2 or 3 sentences
Use quotes (expert opinion or direct witness)
Keep language simple
Nine Golden Rules
1. KISS - Keep it short and simple
Local papers normally have shorter sentences of around 16-20 words
Keep to familiar simple vocabulary which the broadest audience can access
2. Reading for speed- sentences and headlines are short
Crossheads break the story down into bitesize pieces
Columbs are narrow and easy to read
3. Never use three words when one will do
You will rarely see the following phrases in newspapers:
In the near future
In the first instance
On the subject of
In the small hours
In consequence of
4. Don't repeat yourself
Don't use two words that mean the same thing, for example uniquely special, final outcome, important essentials
5. Use active verbs
E.g. Burgulars took the corgi, rather than the corgi was taken by the burgulars
6. PLay with language
Use puns, E.g. chippy gets a battering, Steve Davis arrived on 'cue'
7. Make the story personal
People sell papers, use pictures etc
8. Categorise people in the news
For example, grey haired pensioner, secret lover, mother of two, retired teacher, 65
9. Things to aviod
Cliches
Euphamisms
Being too chatty
Unneccessary use of foreign or American phrases
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Terminology
Masthead: The title block across the top of the page, note the colour block.
Headline: The main story, often in bold, larger font, alliteration, short and snappy, puns, banner headline, attention grabbing.
By Line: The person who has written the article, not always recognised.
Exclusive/ Scoop: The scoop story only appears in one paper.
Pug: 'Ears', top corners, price, logo.
Splash: Designed to shock, grab attention of audience, often bigger font, always big headline.
Caption: Anchors visual image to article, provides visualisation, look at positioning.
Kicker: Story designed to stand out from the others as it is written in a different font.
Strapline: Introductory sentence, headline, smaller font, to introduce the story, placed just below the main headline.
Standfirst: Introductory paragraph.
NAG: News at a glance, often down the side of the page, quickly updates the reader.
NIB: News in brief.
Topic Sentence: First sentence, main gist of the story, the 5 W's (who when why what where)?, approximately 20 words long, remember reporter's triangle.
Above the Fold: Sells paper! It is the information you can see above where the paper is folded.
Cropped: Shortened by the editor, also refferrs to photo manipulation.
Deadline: Vital/ go to press.
Headline: The main story, often in bold, larger font, alliteration, short and snappy, puns, banner headline, attention grabbing.
By Line: The person who has written the article, not always recognised.
Exclusive/ Scoop: The scoop story only appears in one paper.
Pug: 'Ears', top corners, price, logo.
Splash: Designed to shock, grab attention of audience, often bigger font, always big headline.
Caption: Anchors visual image to article, provides visualisation, look at positioning.
Kicker: Story designed to stand out from the others as it is written in a different font.
Strapline: Introductory sentence, headline, smaller font, to introduce the story, placed just below the main headline.
Standfirst: Introductory paragraph.
NAG: News at a glance, often down the side of the page, quickly updates the reader.
NIB: News in brief.
Topic Sentence: First sentence, main gist of the story, the 5 W's (who when why what where)?, approximately 20 words long, remember reporter's triangle.
Above the Fold: Sells paper! It is the information you can see above where the paper is folded.
Cropped: Shortened by the editor, also refferrs to photo manipulation.
Deadline: Vital/ go to press.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
News Values
There are millions of stories that happen everyday which could make the news and journalists need a method to help them decide which stories to include. Thery use a set of criteria called news values to help them select stories.
Frequency
The more similar the frequency of the event is to the frequency of the news medium, the more likely it is to be reported. For example, 'the rape outside Asda at Harrogate'
Threshold
The sizwe of an event will govern the amount of attention it is given. Obviously the bigger the better (epidemic).
Umambiguity
The simplicity of a story would also make it more attractive to the media as it will be easier for the journalist to investigate and easier for the audience to understand. E.g 'Bin Laden is bad'.
Meaningfulness
Cuturally relevant or culturally proximate events are more likely to make the news. For example, 'Fifteen landrovers robbed in a month in Harrogate'.
Consonance
Events which meet our expectations are more likely to become the news. For instance, the Royal Wedding was expected to happen.
Unexpectedness
Events which hold a large number of surprise. E.g 'Harrogate has ther highest number of porn viewings in the country'.
Continuity
Events which have been initially defined as the news will continue to carry importance in news agenda. For example the Iraq war.
Composition
Most news organisations try to balance their news output.
Reference to Elite nations
Nations such as the U.S.A, France or Germany for example are more likely to be mentioned if there is a murder than a third world nation.
Personalisation
Events which are personal are more likely to be shown as people can relate to them, for example families suffering from the bad state of the N.H.S.
Negativity
Bad news makes good news! The rape outside ASDA is a good example of this.
Actuality
If a newspaper has pictures of an event it is much more likely to get reported, as pictures can explain an event more clearly and also grab the readers' attention.
Dead Donkey
Funny, light hearted article towards the end of the paper to end on a good note.
Frequency
The more similar the frequency of the event is to the frequency of the news medium, the more likely it is to be reported. For example, 'the rape outside Asda at Harrogate'
Threshold
The sizwe of an event will govern the amount of attention it is given. Obviously the bigger the better (epidemic).
Umambiguity
The simplicity of a story would also make it more attractive to the media as it will be easier for the journalist to investigate and easier for the audience to understand. E.g 'Bin Laden is bad'.
Meaningfulness
Cuturally relevant or culturally proximate events are more likely to make the news. For example, 'Fifteen landrovers robbed in a month in Harrogate'.
Consonance
Events which meet our expectations are more likely to become the news. For instance, the Royal Wedding was expected to happen.
Unexpectedness
Events which hold a large number of surprise. E.g 'Harrogate has ther highest number of porn viewings in the country'.
Continuity
Events which have been initially defined as the news will continue to carry importance in news agenda. For example the Iraq war.
Composition
Most news organisations try to balance their news output.
Reference to Elite nations
Nations such as the U.S.A, France or Germany for example are more likely to be mentioned if there is a murder than a third world nation.
Personalisation
Events which are personal are more likely to be shown as people can relate to them, for example families suffering from the bad state of the N.H.S.
Negativity
Bad news makes good news! The rape outside ASDA is a good example of this.
Actuality
If a newspaper has pictures of an event it is much more likely to get reported, as pictures can explain an event more clearly and also grab the readers' attention.
Dead Donkey
Funny, light hearted article towards the end of the paper to end on a good note.
News Agenda
News agenda is to do with which stories you select for your newspaper and the priority that you give to those stories. More important stories will have more text and more images to go with them. News values are the same for all organisations and whoever your target audience is but different newspapers give priority to different news values. For example a broadsheet newspaper might give priority to elite nations but a tabloid newspaper will give priority to personalisatuion. Local newspapers prioritise meaningfullness and stories that are directly related to the audience.
News Selection
All news involves the selection of information by journalists because it would be impossible to include every single detail. Also when photographs are taken, that also involbes choices by the photographer about how they wish to represent the event. Captions underneath pictures help to lead readers towards a prefferred reading of the image.
Ideology
Ideology is a set of beliefs and ideas which are held by a society or groups of people or by individuals. In our country the dominant ideology is probably white, male, middle class, middle aged, and conservative. Newspapers keep with this idea to please a mass audience. The layout is very fomal, to give a sense that the newspaper is trustworthy and reliable - a formula which has been used for almost a century. Front page is like an advert for the paper, up to date on a range of features.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
What is News?
News Theory
The dictionary definition of news is :
News must be new or fresh or at least have a fresh angle.
News must be presented as something that is not mundane; it must be an event.
The fresh event must be reported to become new.
News is people.
News is often celebrity focused, a dry factual based event can become more interested by adding how these facts effect specific people.
Dog bites man- no interest. Man bites dog - news.
A story should be unusual, shocking and unique to be able to sell to the audience.
News is anything that makes an editor say "Gee Whiz!"
This shows a story needs a 'wow' factor , e.g 'crop circles' or 'volcanic explosion'.
News is what someone somewhere wants to suppress, all the rest is advertising.
This shows the real news is usually the big secrets that certain people want to hide, e.g 'footballer caught cheating.' The advertising part refers to the companies that tell the news corporations so they are 'advertsing; the company.
Fresh events reported.
News need to be up to date, current events that could affect the people.
The dictionary definition of news is :
News must be new or fresh or at least have a fresh angle.
News must be presented as something that is not mundane; it must be an event.
The fresh event must be reported to become new.
News is people.
News is often celebrity focused, a dry factual based event can become more interested by adding how these facts effect specific people.
Dog bites man- no interest. Man bites dog - news.
A story should be unusual, shocking and unique to be able to sell to the audience.
News is anything that makes an editor say "Gee Whiz!"
This shows a story needs a 'wow' factor , e.g 'crop circles' or 'volcanic explosion'.
News is what someone somewhere wants to suppress, all the rest is advertising.
This shows the real news is usually the big secrets that certain people want to hide, e.g 'footballer caught cheating.' The advertising part refers to the companies that tell the news corporations so they are 'advertsing; the company.
Fresh events reported.
News need to be up to date, current events that could affect the people.
Monday, 13 June 2011
Production Requirements
Front and second page of local newspaper
Website and two working links
Poster
Blog
Evaluation - powerpoint
Website and two working links
Poster
Blog
Evaluation - powerpoint
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