C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

UNIT 1.- THE LANGUAGE OF NEWSPAPERS

1.1. The nature of newspapers.
18th century  Newspapers used by governments to show their own interest. Formal structure and
style.

19 century  “Modern journalism”. Appearance of important newspapers such as The Times (1829),
Manchester Guardian (1821), Daily Mail (1896)

20 century  Daily Express (1900), Daily Mirror (1903)

Today  Anything unexpected or dramatic is newsworthy and bad news is always good news for the
journalists and editors trying to meet tight deadlines. Élite persons, whether royalty, pop stars or
politicians, make the front pages because many readers like to know about the lifestyles and the
scandals of the rich and famous.. The News Values of a newspaper govern the kind of stories which
editors print. The choices made are ultimately based on what will sell newspapers, both to readers and
advertisers. When a journalist has identified an audience that endorses their attitude and ideas, he can
explicitly support a particular political viewpoint or social group. This can lead to bias (favouring one
point over another) which is evident in the lexical choice and in the selection of particular stories.

• National and International newspapers do convey information about everyday events that affect our
daily lives.
• Newspapers can be influential: they can affect the way we think about international events and
national politics by presenting issues in a certain way.
• The editor of a newspaper will seek to present the world in a certain way so that the intended
audience identify with the paper’s viewpoint.
• Editorials
• Opinion Articles
• Although their function is referential, entertainment has become equally important in
the battle to win readers.
• Different types of people buy different types of papers.
– Ideology & Socio-Cultural Level
• Broadsheets tend to be associated with educated professional people
• Tabloids are associated with the traditional working class.
• The middle-market papers fall somewhere between the two.

Newspaper formats
3 categories:

- Tabloid: Paper printed on A2 size paper. Smaller than a broadsheet. They have been called as the
popular or working class press. They provide sensation, stories for entertainment.

-Headlines: are typed in bold print and may extend across the whole page. Often capitalized

-Paragraphs: Only a few lines long.

1
C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

- Typographical features: Very varied. 1st paragraph uses large print in bold. 2nd paragraph is
slightly smaller. 3rd uses print size.

- Punctuation: it is used sparingly (escasamente).

- Alliterative patterning: used to make the text more memorable. Ex: “Two-time sex swapper
sues”

- Sentence structure: Are often simple or compound. Long sentences are kept away from the
beginning. Paragraphs are composed of one or two sentences and word orden can be changed.

-Co-ordinators in the initial position are common (and).

-Adverbials at the start of sentences change the focus and keep readers attetion.

-Modifiers are common and very few nouns stand alone. “The bling king”

-Description is often vivid.

-Lexis: is often inventive and emphatic. The tone is informal and colloquialisms.
Compounds are created to attract attention “love-rat”.

-Angle: The angle adopted is usually human. New stories are directly linked to people.

- Broadsheet: Paper is printed on A1. Bigger than a tabloid. They have been called as the serious or
quality press for serious educated people. They provide information, factual information.

-Headlines: only extend over two columns.

- Paragraphs: are longer.

-Typographical features: are more standard and the same size is used throughout exed
headlines.

- Punctuation: is used traditionally and formally in broadsheets.

-Rhetorical patterning is more complex with rhythmical effects.

- Sentence structure is varied to sustain the interest of the reader. Paragraphs with only one
sentence.

- Co-ordinators in the initial position are less common. Cohesion is achieved through
referencing and lexical repetition.

- Adverbials are used in a variety of positions, depeding on the emphasis of the following
word.

- Modifiers used to provide accurate detail.

-Lexis: is more specific, formal and restrained.

2
C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

-Angle: It is more factual. The tone is often restrained and controlled.

-Middle-market paper: A3 format. Between tabloids and broadsheets.

– Ideology:
• The ideology or point of view of its owner and its editor dictates the kinds of stories printed
and the political or moral slant transmitted to the reader.
• This can lead to bias (favouring one viewpoint over another), which is evident in the lexical
choice and in the selection or exclusion of particular stories
– Types of newspapers:
• Tabloid are called the “popular” or “gutter” press
• Broadsheet “serious” or “quality” press.
– Linguists are interested in the kinds of language different newspapers choose, to attract their intended
audience.
• The news values of a newspaper govern the kind of stories which editors print.
• The choices made are ultimately based on what will sell newspapers, both to readers and to
intended audience.
• Headlines & Reports

1.2 . The function of newspaper language

Originally, newspapers were used by governments to promote political views. By the 19 century, they
were used to convey news. In the 21 century, newspapers deal with entertainment as they do with
information (referential function). National newspapers do convey information about everyday events
that affect our daily lives. Nevertheless, local newspapers act as community bulletins, providing
information about local events and issues in which their focus is far more specific.

Newspapers can be influential since they can affect the way we think about international events and
politics by presenting issues in a certain way. The choice of words, the decisions about which facts to
include and which to exclude influence the reader. The editor of a newspaper will seek to present the
world in a certain way so that the intended audience identify with the paper’s viewpoint.

Broadsheet tends to be associated with educated professional people, while tabloids are associated
with the traditional working class. The middle-market papers fall somewhere between the two.

1.3. Features of newspaper language.

Analysis of newspapers involves a consideration of both headlines and reporting styles since these will
both reveal much about the ideology and aims of an individual people.

3
C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

1.3.1. HEADLINES.
There are 3 kinds of headlines:

– The main headline will be larger than the others and may occasionally be in colour to draw
attention
– The strapline or overline is the secondary headline that appears above the main one - it is
used to provide extra information or to clarify the main headline
– The sub-headline follows the main headline, and qualities or elaborates it.
• Just as the selection of news items and the balance of photographs to text differs
between broadsheets, compacts and tabloids, so too do the headlines.
• While the broadsheets may aim for a factual interpretation of an event, the tabloids
may look for sensation.
• The choice of words for headlines is affected by the ideas to be expressed, the kind of
reader associated with the paper, and the paper's house style.

Differences between broadsheet and tabloid headlines.

- The Guardian (Broadsheet)  Uses restrained language to convey a sense of the chaos, which it
sees as the responsibility of the story (passive voice to the front of the sentence = stress).

- The Sun, Daily Mirror, Daily Star (Tabloid)  It focuses on the violence. Initial position of the
number and “chav” “avalanche” suggest that responsibility lies with the people who created the
riot. It is sensational rather than factual.

- Daily Express (middle market paper)  Appeal to reader emotions but is balanced by a more
formal presentation of the facts.

- The Times, The Daily Telegraph (centro-derecha)

- The Independent, The Guardian (Centro-izquierda)

4
 C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

Headlines need to be:

1. Style: Simple but must also create impact.

2. Easily readable
3. Appropriate to the kind of newspaper in which they are printed
4. Correct choice of words (affected by the ideas expressed and the kind of reader
5. The lexis chosen indicates something about the political persuasion and by analyzing connotations of
the words chosen and the point of view is possible to come to conclusion about the aim of the
report.
6. Structure
a. Noun phrases
b. Telegraphic: Omission of grammatical function words, copula verbs and auxiliaries.
c. Simple sentences
d. Passive voice (To focus the reader’s attention on a particular element)

7. Ambiguity (they have two meanings) (Changing the function of the words changes the meaning)

HEADLINES DIFFERENCES
BROADSHEET TABLOID
Typography: Conservative, rarely capitalization. Colour for Typography: Capitalization and colour to draw attention
photographs and advertisements.
Approach: Impersonal Approach: Personal and emotive (human-interest stories)
Tone: Formal Tone: Infomal (puns and disruption of collocations)
Conservative lexical choices Eye-catching
Takes the readers from the climax to the extraordinary
Alliteration
Outrageous headlines (escandalosos)

1.4. Reports
 Selective perception: Reports give a particular view of events, and the information that is
excluded can be as important as the information that is included (journalist and editors make
these decisions). This is a form of bias.
REPORTS DIFFERENCES
BROADSHEET TABLOID
Lexis: Intended audience dictates the lexical chores. Lexis: Infomal (use of colloquial nouns (crook)).
Formal lexis (pitchfork, screwdrivers). Relationship with the reader: tongue-in-cheek
Relationship with the reader: factual Personal details (jobless, the dad of five from Bristol…)
Location: assumption that the readers recognize info. Location: repetition of words
Connotation: Humour through the words Connotation: Humour is explicit
Modifiers: Factual words Modifiers: Emotional and sensational words
Adverbs: To provide accurate information Adverbs: to develop a sense of narrative.
Selective perception: Avoids personal information and Selective perception: Story-like approach by adding
includes extra factual information personal details

5
 C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

GRAMMAR GRAMMAR
Variety of sentence structures. Simple / compound sentences. Short subordinate clauses
More fully paragraphs Paragraphs are 3 sentences long.
More concentration is required Concentration is less necessary

STYLE
Marked themes to the front of the sentences
Use of passive voice (with agent)
Direct and indirect speech: Direct quotation to add weight
to their arguments.
SOURCES
It will often cite official sources (Parliament, the courts, the
Police or other emergency services.
STYLE
Marked themes to the front of the sentences
Use of passive voice (without agent)
Direct and indirect speech: Quotation of people directly to
encourage that rich and famous are the same as readers.
SOURCES
From ordinary people who have no particular authority.

1.5. Types of newspaper reports.

The introductory paragraph of each report must capture the reader’s attention. It should concentrate on
what has happened summing it up in more than 20 words.

• Action stories
– Action stories often package news as entertainment - they create stories from
dramatic incidents.
– Their structure is chronological and they tend to focus on the human results of
an event.
– The introduction establishes what has happened; the news lead develops the
narrative chronologically; and the conclusion often pro-vides some kind of
assessment or evaluation

• Statement and opinion stories

– Statement and opinion stories deal with issues rather than just narrative.
– They attempt to summarize an argument and to provide readers with key
information.
– Although a report may be triggered by a specific event, the event will only be the
starting point for a wider consideration of related issues. In other words, such
reports give readers more than just a chronological human interest story.
– The introductory paragraph usually presents the reader with the most important
news points and with supporting direct quotation where appropriate. The rest of the
report summarizes further points and develops the argument. The conclusion draws
all the points together.
• Running stories
– Journalists make the most of an ongoing story because they hope
that once their readers have become interested they will continue to
buy the newspaper to keep up to date with new findings.
– Tabloids in particular will sensationalize and dramatize stories to
keep old readers and attract new ones.
– A running story requires the journalist both to report on new
information and to recap on what has happened so far. 6
– This ensures that readers can keep up to date and understand any
new developments in context
 C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

What to look for in newspapers?

Register
– What is the mode?
• Written
– What is the manner?
• formal or informal relationship between participants (journalist and
reader)?
• ideology?
• function (to inform, persuade, entertain, etc.)?
– What is the field?
–
• subject matter?
Lexis
• journalist's approach?
Headlines • linked to the audience, purpose, and context?
• What is noticeable about the style?
– easily readable? simple?
– appropriate?
– impact created?
• What are the connotations of words chosen?
• What kinds of modifiers are used?
• What point of view or ideology is conveyed?

Lexis
Reports
– Are the words chosen formal or informal?
– Are the modifiers used to express precise detail or to make the report emotive
• or sensational?
– How are participants named?
• use of titles? use of first names or surnames?
• use of abbreviated, familiar names?
– What are the connotations of words?
• nouns to describe people and things?
• verbs to describe actions and processes?
• associations
• What kinds of adverbials are used?
– What kinds of adverbials are used?
• time? place? manner?
–

7
 C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

Grammar
Headlines
– What is the structure?
• NP?
• simple/compound/complex sentence?
– Do the straplines and subheadlines explain or qualify the main headline?
– Is the passive voice used?
– Is there any ambiguity?
• accidental?
Grammar • intentional, to create humor or to add interest?

Reports
• Is the sentence structure varied?
– simple/compound/complex? variety?
• Are there any initial-position conjunctions?
– to create a conversational tone?
– to control the length of sentences?
• Is there any direct speech?
– ordinary or authoritative speaker? formal or informal tone?
– to add weight to an argument or to give ordinary people’s views?
– to vary the pace?
• Is there any indirect speech?
– to summarize formal speech?
– to paraphrase the speaker's words and make them more fluent?
Style
• Is the sentence organization designed to influence the reader?
– marked themes to highlight a clause element other than the subject in the initial position?
– foregrounding of adverbials to provide extra information?
– passive voice to alter the position of the object for emphasis?
– are by + agent included or omitted?
• Are there any literary devices?
– metaphors and similes to establish a narrative atmosphere or to make the report
– more dramatic or the abstract issues concrete?
– symbolism to force the reader to make connections?
– clever or comic puns?
– unusual or unexpected words or descriptions?
• Is there any sound patterning to underpin meaning, create humour or make a report more memorable?
– Alliteration
– rhythm or rhyme?
– Are there any rhetorical devices?
– antithesis juxtaposing words or key concepts for dramatic effect or contrasting
– particular viewpoints?
– listing building to a climax or an anti-climax, creating emphasis or developing
– serious or comic tone?
– patterning to emphasize important attributes or contrasts? 8
– repetition of words, phrases or clauses to highlight key points and make the report more dramatic
or noticeable?
•
 C2 INGLÉS A TRAVES DE LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN ELENA DOMINGUEZ

• Sources:
• Are there any official sources giving authority to evidence? police? emergency
services? courts? investigating bodies? the government?
• Are there any unofficial sources that allow ordinary people to have a voice?

• Typographical features:
– Does capitalization attract readers?
– Is there any variation in print size to draw readers into the report?
– Is colour used, drawing on wider symbolic associations to enhance meaning?
– Do images dramatize or support the story?