Deconstructing newspaper front pages

1. Deconstructing newspaper front
pages
By Max S.

2. Newspaper layout and features
• Large headlines -
headline is usually a
quote or very brief
summary
• Columns of writing
• By-line - journalist's
name
• Direct quotations
• Images related to
the article
• Captions of pictures
Masthead (title of newspaper)
Advertisement and promotional offers (tabloid
only!)
Headline and
lead article
Headline
and
article
Headline
and
article
Lead article image
Preview of other articles (the 'puff')
Headline and
article
Headline
and
article
Advertisement

3. Compact newspapers - The Times
Serious press
Smaller typeface
More detailed,
longer article
Simpler layout
Focus on international
news
just one picture

4. Compact newspapers
• 'Quality' or 'serious' press
• More sophisticated and formal language used in
articles
• Plainer layout
• More detailed, longer articles
• More focus on politics, international news,
reviews of high culture e.g. opera, art exhibitions
• Compact newspapers share the same
conventions as broadsheets, compacts are just
smaller in size!

5. Tabloid newspapers - The Sun
Advertisement and
promotion opportunities
References to reality
stars and reality show
Sensationalist headline
very bold typeface
Slang words
puns
Lots of colour
More pictures,
shorter articles
‘puff’
(content
preview)

6. Tabloid newspapers
• Popular press
• Advertising and promotional offers
• Bold layout with large pictures
• Language is informal and contains slang words
• Shorter articles, more pictures, less 'in-depth'
reporting
• Headlines are often sensationalist and contain
puns

7. Online newspaper layout – The Guardian
Menu with links to
different topics
Brief articles
with links to
full articles
More
interactive
with lots of
images and
links
Clear structure
with articles
organised
neatly and
compactly