The document discusses several news values that make stories more appealing and engaging for readers: 1) Negativity - Bad news attracts more reader attention than positive news. Stories about famous people's misfortunes are especially interesting. 2) Proximity - Readers relate more to stories close to their own geographical location or background. Local newspapers should focus on topics relevant to their readership. 3) Currency - Stories that have been in the public eye for some time still have value as readers want updates. 4) Uniqueness - Papers need unique or unusual stories to stand out. 5) Personality - Stories about individuals can attract readers through human interest angles that people can relate to.

1. News Values

2. Negativity Reading bad news somehow attracts the readers attention most. It is rated above ‘positive’ news as it is more interesting than reading about happy endings. News like this engages the audiences attention to the newspaper. This story in particular relates to a famous person therefore readers are more interested in reading any bad news about them. In comparison to my newspaper I have also included bad news. Within the masthead I used the word ‘hood’ to many readers this builds a stereotypical image.

3. Proximity Audience supposedly relate more to stories that are close to them geographically or relates to there background. Therefore in order for newspaper to attract readers the news should be relating to the majority of the people and not going off the topic talking about other countries. In the Harrow Observer the front headline is about a jewellery store. This local newspaper relates mostly to the people that live in Harrow, they are able to identify the jewellery shop. My local newspaper includes an artist living in the local. Readers may relate to this as they may recognise this person or know her? Because my newspaper is a local newspaper I tried to keep it within Brent.

4. Currency Stories that has been in the public eye for some time redeem value, readers will be interested in keeping updated about any news that has been highlighted for sometime. We all know about the Madison McCann story as it was in the news for quite sometime. Therefore readers are aware of her disappearance and the story will run for weeks and weeks until something happens.

6. Personality Stories are often centred around a particular person because they can be presented from a ‘human interest’ angle. Readers may be able to relate to the article which draws in their attention. This article for example represents personality. Some may perhaps look at the newspaper and find no interest in shopping. However the article could be about a local resident well known engaging the readers attention .

7. Exclusivity I decided to do an article based on a teen portrayed with a good reputation. This has not been particularly popular in newspapers as teenagers are mostly mediated to be bad. I therefore produced and article for both older and younger audiences to relate to, and showing the positive side to teenagers.