NEWSPAPERS TABLOID VS BROADSHEET Ms Brennan English MTSM

The first newspapers were all called broadsheets, because they used large, wide sheets of paper for their pages. Tabloid newspapers were traditionally smaller and squarer in shape than the broadsheet papers. These two types of paper have quite different written styles. Your style, material and layout will be affected by the kind of paper you are writing for. Recently, some broadsheet newspapers have reduced the size of their pages to make them easier to read, particularly on trains! However, they are still classified as broadsheet papers because of the style of journalism within them.

EXAMPLES

STYLES More formal Metaphors rather than puns Informal Rhetorical questions More complex sentences (look for sentences separated by lots of commas, semi-colons etc.) Puns sometimes used, although more subtle Statistics Descriptions of people tend to relate to personality or position in society Politician’s comments often included, with a commentary by the journalist Informal Use of puns Use of alliteration Exaggeration for effect Slang Colloquial language (chatty) Informal names used Short, snappy sentences Heightened language (over the top) Brand names Adjectives often carry sexual overtones A focus upon appearance Frequent use of elision e.g. won’t, don’t.

Banner Headline for lead article MAST HEAD – name of the newspaper LEAD ARTICLE: BS written in columns TB very short overview PHOTO: TB illustrates lead article caption Headline, dramatic & sensational: usually contains pun/alliteration, takes up most of page. ADVERTISEMENT SECOND FRONT PAGE ARTICLE Contents list

HEADLINES What makes the perfect headline? Ideally, a headline should: Be more formal grab the attention of potential buyers be easily remembered Broadsheets usually use longer, more informative headlines Tabloids use specific techniques to make their headlines eye catching: Puns – Supermarket chiefs are sorry for mis-steak! Alliteration – bookies take a bashing Clichés – zoo lets the cat out of the bag Slang – Punters pull of €2 mill sting Rhyme – Simon’s Age Rage

HEADLINES LOOK AT THE TWO FOLLOWING HEADLINES AND INDICATE WHICH TYPE OF NEWSPAPER THEY SUIT AND WHY: French Lorry Drivers Blockade Port Outrageous! They’re holding us hostage Formal language No emotion Simple statement of fact No exclamation mark BROADSHEET Emotive language Alliteration Use of exclamation mark No clear indication as to what the story is about Use of abbreviation TABLOID

CREATE YOUR OWN For each of the news topics below create a headline for a broadsheet and a tabloid newspaper: Ireland is to go through another cold winter, with two months of snow expected Katie Taylor wins gold for Ireland A gang use a JCB to rob an ATM machine Three die on roads over the weekend Famous celebrity couple announce their divorce

Comments/interview from eye witnesses ARTICLES A Headline ARTICLES Comments/interview from eye witnesses Sub Headings Picture with caption Expert opinion

At the start of the article Main facts Background Information Analysis Quotes It is important that your article does not show any bias and reports only substantiated facts At the end of the article

Throughout your article you need to answer each of the following questions What happened? Who was involved? Where did it happen? When did it happen? How did it happen?

STYLE – tabloid or broadsheet – WHY? PENSIONER BRUTUALLY BEATEN A lonely pensioner was brutally beaten up by a mugger, just yards from her own front door. All she had on her was £7.00. “I was just walking home from my weekly lunch at the local Day Centre,” says widow Mary Evans, 86, of South Court, Devenish. It wasn’t even dark, only 3pm on a September afternoon. And this isn’t a big city. Are we safe anywhere these days? Not safe in our own streets D.C. Matthew Johns of Green Lane Police Station, Wilborough said, “This is a really nasty attack on a defenceless old lady. It’s not even as though she had anything on her worth stealing.” So, now we can’t even feel safe in our own street. When are the government going to wake up and realize they’ve got to do something about it? After all, we’re the ones who put them there. Shouldn’t they earn their keep by looking after us and making sure that old ladies don’t have to live in fear?

STYLE – tabloid or broadsheet – WHY? Random Street Crime is Rising A national survey conducted by the Police Federation reveals that our streets really are less safe than they were ten years ago. The recent, well-publicized attack on an elderly pensioner, Mrs Mary Evans, aged 86 of Devenish, brought the issue of street muggings back to the public’s attention. The publication of this report will simply confirm what many ordinary people have felt for some time: that police efforts to control street crime have failed. “It is now a matter of urgency that the government should recognize that it is its responsibility to tackle this issue. It cannot be right that the elderly should have to take their lives in their hands every time they step beyond their own front doors,” said Help The Aged’s spokesperson Helen Smith. “We claim to be a civilized country, yet it seems that our streets are not as safe as we like to think. Perhaps it’s time to reassess the priorities of the police force and target the unglamorous side of community policing: drugs seizures are undoubtedly important, but so is the day-to-day safety of vulnerable members of society.”

STYLE – tabloid or broadsheet – WHY? SHORT SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS THROUGHOUT STYLE – tabloid or broadsheet – WHY? EMOTIVE WORDS DIRECT SPEECH PERSONAL DETAILS GIVEN PENSIONER BRUTUALLY BEATEN A lonely pensioner was brutally beaten up by a mugger, just yards from her own front door. All she had on her was £7.00. “I was just walking home from my weekly lunch at the local Day Centre,” says widow Mary Evans, 86, of South Court, Devenish. It wasn’t even dark, only 3pm on a September afternoon. And this isn’t a big city. Are we safe anywhere these days? Not safe in our own streets D.C. Matthew Johns of Green Lane Police Station, Wilborough said, “This is a really nasty attack on a defenceless old lady. It’s not even as though she had anything on her worth stealing.” So, now we can’t even feel safe in our own street. When are the government going to wake up and realize they’ve got to do something about it? After all, we’re the ones who put them there. Shouldn’t they earn their keep by looking after us and making sure that old ladies don’t have to live in fear? SUB HEADING RHETORICAL QUESTION USE OF CONTRACTIONS

STYLE – tabloid or broadsheet – WHY? DIRECT SPEECH GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY PERSONAL DETAILS GIVEN Random Street Crime is Rising A national survey conducted by the Police Federation reveals that our streets really are less safe than they were ten years ago. The recent, well-publicized attack on an elderly pensioner, Mrs Mary Evans, aged 86 of Devenish, brought the issue of street muggings back to the public’s attention. The publication of this report will simply confirm what many ordinary people have felt for some time: that police efforts to control street crime have failed. “It is now a matter of urgency that the government should recognize that it is its responsibility to tackle this issue. It cannot be right that the elderly should have to take their lives in their hands every time they step beyond their own front doors,” said Help The Aged’s spokesperson Helen Smith. “We claim to be a civilized country, yet it seems that our streets are not as safe as we like to think. Perhaps it’s time to reassess the priorities of the police force and target the unglamorous side of community policing: drugs seizures are undoubtedly important, but so is the day-to-day safety of vulnerable members of society.” SOPHISTICATED SYNTAX & SENTENCE STRUCTURE FORMAL VOCABULARY

To Kill a Mockingbird Article Please ensure that you: Have a clear understanding of the facts of the situation Plan carefully who the expert opinion comes from and what they are going to say. Plan also for the eyewitness accounts of those involved in the story – if necessary imagine that as a journalist you interviewed those involved.

CHECKLIST Lay out the front page of your paper correctly Write an appropriate headline and use subheadings Ensure that you maintain the correct style through out – tabloid or broadsheet Include a picture and caption Remember to keep your sentences quite short. Include comments/direct speech from the eye witnesses & the opinion from the expert – do not include the questions Read over – check your expression and spellings Put in 100% to ensure that your newspaper front page and article looks realistic!!