This document analyzes key differences in writing styles between the BBC, The Guardian, The Sun, and The Mirror. It finds that the BBC and The Guardian use less sensationalized language and imagery than The Sun and The Mirror, which aim to attract audiences with shorter attention spans. The BBC and Guardian articles contain more complex sentences and paragraphs, while The Sun and Mirror use simpler structures and shorter snippets to engage their readers. Overall, the document examines how these outlets tailor their content based on intended audience and purpose.

1. Subject and Purpose

2. Serious reportage article from the BBC -
Education

5. Serious reportage article from the BBC -
Crime

8. General interest article from The Sun - TV
& Showbiz

11. General interest article from the Mirror -
Celebs

17. Context - in the Education tab

18. Context - Sport tab > Cycling

19. Context - in the TV & Showbiz
tab

20. Context - in the Celebs tab

21. Audience/Headline
• BBC - catches the audience’s attention as it is short and to-the-
point. The BBC’s target audience are also interested in news
effecting students and university.
• The Guardian - catches the audience’s attention by using the
words “cyclist” and “death” in the headline as it is an unusual
event.
• The Sun - catches the audience’s attention by using celebrities’
names in the headline as their target audience are interested in
celebrities and gossip.
• Mirror - catches the audience’s attention by using a question and
by putting the word “ditches” in capital letters.

22. Sensationalist Language
• BBC - doesn’t use sensationalist language, instead uses
phrases like “it has been claimed”, the word “abstract” instead of
“shocking”.
• The Guardian - also doesn’t use much sensationalist language:
“collided”, “victim”, “suffered from”, “apparent”, and “handling”.
• The Sun - uses lots of sensationalisation, e.g. “exclusively”,
“confirmed”, “revealed”.
• Mirror - uses a lot more sensationalist language than The Sun,
e.g. “hints”, “ditching”, “officially”, “caught”, “desperate”, “fed up”,
“burden”, “scandal”, etc.

23. Imagery
• BBC - uses a map of the plans, a graph, and pictures of the apartments that
are being planned to build. The pictures used are purely informative and
there are only 4 as the BBC’s target audience don’t mind reading big blocks
of text with few pictures to break it up.
• The Guardian - uses only a picture of the cyclist, as the target audience
don’t need images to hold their attention span, they are fine with reading big
blocks of text.
• The Sun - uses 6 images and 2 videos. Most are of Kylie and/or Caitlyn, but
there is one of Kylie’s boyfriend too. These are used to break up the article
as the target audience have a much shorter attention span than with the
BBC and The Guardian so they don’t want to read big blocks of text.
• Mirror - also uses lots of images, uses 12 photos and 2 videos. Most are of
Coleen and Wayne and are used for the same reason as The Sun.

24. Core Content
• BBC - article focuses on how students in Wales can’t afford
proper accommodation, and a lot more apartments are
planning to be built to meet demands.
• The Guardian - the story talks about a cyclist who knocked
over a woman and killed her.
• The Sun - the article talks about how Kylie Jenner told Caitlyn
a long time ago about her pregnancy and how Caitlyn isn’t
happy about her being pregnant so early in her relationship.
• Mirror - article focuses on how Wayne Rooney’s wife has
taken off her wedding ring as their marriage is unstable.

25. Links to other media
• BBC - no links to other media
• The Guardian - mentions Sir Chris Hoy and Laura Trott
when talking about the type of bike used
• The Sun - talks about Caitlyn Jenner, Travis Scott,
People magazine and Hollywood Life magazine
• Mirror - talks about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, VW
Beetle, Austin Powers, Gary Lineker, The Sun, Everton,
BAMMA, ITV's This Morning, Phillip Schofield and Holly
Willoughby

26. Paragraphing
• BBC - uses 2-5 line paragraphs. Mostly 3 lines.
• The Guardian - uses 2-6 line paragraphs. Mostly 3
& 4 lines.
• The Sun - 1-3 line paragraphs. Mostly 2 lines.
• Mirror - 1-3 paragraphs. Mostly 2 lines.

27. Use of speech
• BBC - uses speech in the paragraphs to quote
spokespeople the BBC interviewed about the story.
• The Guardian - mostly quotes from the judge, used to
give the reader an accurate description of their verdict.
• The Sun - mostly quotes from “a source close to
Caitlyn”.
• Mirror - quotes from Wayne 2 years ago, quotes from
“a source” and “a source close to the couple”.

28. Sentence structure
• BBC - uses simple, compound and complex
sentences. Uses mostly complex sentences.
• The Guardian - uses simple, compound and complex
sentences. Uses mostly compound sentences.
• The Sun - uses a mix of simple and compound
sentences.
• Mirror - uses a mix of simple and compound
sentences. Mostly simple.