This document analyzes conventions of local newspapers through examining content, images, and advertisements across three publications - the Oxford Times, Leighton Buzzard Observer, and London Metro. Key points made include: - The Oxford Times covers a variety of local topics through both formal and informal writing. Images depict reality and support the lead story. Advertisements promote local events. - The Leighton Buzzard Observer's content focuses on serious local issues for an adult audience. A single lead story and two secondary stories are featured. Images accompany articles. Advertisements cover jobs, property, and schools. - The London Metro has varied content for a commuting audience of young people and adults. Images on the

1. Analysing Local
Newspapers

2. Key Terminology
barcode
gimmicks
secondary lead
typeface
lead story
headlines
punsslogans
puffs
display admenu
columns small/line ad

3. typeface
lead story
headlines
puns
display ad
columns
Identifying Conventions of a Local Newspaper
menu

4. Oxford Times
Content: There are a variety of areas covered
within this local newspaper; such as, music,
wildlife, theatre, local news, and art. In terms of
the voice, the appear is written formally ,
although there are times at which the paper aims
to connect with the readers better through the
use of opinions and somewhat colloquial
phrases. What is most evident about this paper is
the variety, with stories ranging from science to
local community events. It may be that this paper
is trying to reflect modern day culture,
predominantly.
Images: There are images used and
incorporated into the main articles, most of which
depict people. The image sizes vary, although
there is the use of a large image to support the
lead story; in this way an identity is being
assigned to the article. The images are not overly
professional or stylised, generally, rather they
seem to depict reality accurately. The images are
ordered as though to appear as though they are
framed, but some of the images extend their
frame.
Adverts: This newspaper only features one
advert on the first two pages, which is advertising
a local offer. However throughout the rest of the
paper i have found many adverts, the majority of
which are advertising music events, the theatre,
fares and auctions.

5. Identifying Conventions of a Local Newspaper
typeface
lead story
headlines
display ad
columns
menu
secondary lead

6. Content: The content is aimed at the local
audience and is adult focused; this is evident
through the material covered such as property
pages, job vacancies, and the fact that the cover
story itself is addressing serious matters. There
is only one cover story, whilst two articles are
advertised with the relevant page numbers. The
voice of the paper is formal, although there is the
opportunity to write in to the paper as a member
of the community, this appears to be more
informal. On the whole, the paper covers a broad
range of topics, including; crime, charity work,
business, animals, cinema, etc.
Images: Again the images used are depicting
people, whilst being placed amongst the articles.
The image sizes vary, although there is the use
of a large image to support the lead story. The
images appear to be fairly unprofessional due to
what is being pictured and the backgrounds used
The images on the cover extend their frames,
however throughout the rest of the paper the
imaged used are fit squarely beside blocks of
text.
Adverts: This newspaper features many adverts
which cover a wide range of areas such as; jobs,
self-storage, local venues to hire, schools,
housing, etc. The choice of adverts featured
highlights the audience being mostly adults.
Leighton Buzzard Observer

7. secondary lead
typeface
lead story
headlines
slogans
puffs
display ad
columns
small/line ad
Identifying Conventions of a Local Newspaper

8. London Metro
The content in this newspaper is very varied;
including from politics, sports, arts, local
events, celebrity gossip, etc. The audience for
the magazine is commuters, meaning the
audience is likely include young people and
adults, this is evident through the wide range
of areas covered.
All the images on the cover depict one
person, with images appearing relatively
professionally. Overall, the voice of the
newspaper is formal, with aspects of
informality present within the gossip pages.
Within articles the images are squarely
framed by blocks of text. Circular frames
appear on the cover, placed within a large
rectangular strip. Images depicting celebrities
have no background, they appear in front of
or surrounding text. There are many fonts and
colours used, some of which appear to be
sophisticated whilst others are more “fun”.
The paper also uses many font sizes. The
articles are predominantly written in black ink
in an easy to read font.