2. Layout
Font
The typical
conventions
of a local
newspaper
Colour
Images

3. Layout Colour
I have discovered that the majority of local newspapers From what I have found out, there is very little colour used
follow the same design and layout as each other, as well in local newspapers, for example the Cambs Times. The
as a number of national and regional newspapers. One colour scheme is very similar to that of a national and
main image is located in the centre of the page with text regional newspaper. However there are a number of
mostly located below it. At times there are other small exceptions to this trend. The Peterborough Telegraph and
images and other text surrounding the main image. the Wisbech Standard use a number of vibrant colours
This layout technique is used by many local newspapers such as red, green and blue. The colour scheme of a local
and succeeds at attracting its targeting audience. newspaper also has a link with the target audience. The
Although the layout method is similar, many local Cambs Times for example contains bland colours such as
black and white, therefore the target audience is most
newspapers have there own style making them unique
likely to be older. Where as for the Wisbech Standard the
and separating them from each other.
vibrant colours indicate a younger target audience, not by
much though.
Images
Nearly all local newspapers have some sort of image Font
located on there front page or the inside pages. Without For a lot of local newspapers, font styles and size rarely
the use of images, presentation would be poor and differ from each other. Fonts used for articles and stories
possibly discourage the reader. In local newspapers such on the front or inside page are often small in size and
as the Wisbech Standard and the Peterborough keep the same style. For a lot of local newspapers e.g the
Telegraph the images are fairly ordered, not spread Wisbech Standard, the font used in the masthead is nearly
across the page in an ugly like fashion. On the front always different in size and type, giving that specific
page there is usually one main image relating to a story newspaper its own style. Font in a local newspaper is key
below with other images placed around it. These images in attracting the reader. Small text does have its benefits
are important in keeping interest with the reader. The for example enabling more words on the page, although if
pictures also help in encouraging the reader to look at too small readers can find it hard to see, especially the
the articles and stories on the page. older generation. So in reality there needs to be balance
with the size. As long as the font style is clear and simle
then people wont find it hard to read

4. It will give me a better The knowledge gained from
understanding of the my research will prevent me
conventions used and how I from making simple errors
can attract the target and give me an insight into
audience using the right the creation of an effective
methods. I will be able to local newspaper.
create a successful local
newspaper with effective
font styles, colour
schemes, images and The audience research will
layouts. give me an understanding of
what my target audience
wants from local newspapers
such as the style of
fonts, use of images etc.

5. From my findings the target audience of most local newspapers
tends to be aimed at an older age mostly 25+ years. Below this age
readers are more likely to go with magazines especially
teenagers, they find them more appealing than newspapers.
The layout, the use of font styles and sizes, colour etc. all support
this idea. Colour plays a big role in which target audience it
attracts, more vibrant colours, the younger the target audience but
not always. Some older adults may love the vibrant colours.
The research from the three newspapers I analysed all posses
similar conventions, although I have found that two The
Wisbech Standard and the Peterborough telegraph use vibrant
colours quite heavily.