Analysing a newspaper article
Analysing a Newspaper Story
How is a Newspaper Article Structured?
All newspaper articles follow a particular framework or structure.
Headline:
All stories have a headline, which gives the reader an idea of what the article is about. Tabloid headlines often use puns or other techniques, such as alliteration, to captivate their audience.
Introduction:
As the first paragraph in an article, the introduction is very important. Its contents tell the reader in more detail what the article is about. Research into how people reader newspapers shows that most people read the headline first, followed by the first paragraph of the story. If the introduction is not interesting then most people will to continue reading the article. The first paragraph is often known as a stand-first, printed in a bold font.
Elaboration:
The next few paragraphs tell the reader more about the story that is outlined in the introduction. They inform readers about the following key words:
What
When
Where
Who
Why.
Quotes:
Almost all news stories have comments from those involved or from voyeurs (onlookers). Their function is to make the article more objective by keeping a balanced viewpoint. Alternatively, they can make the article more subjective by sensationalising the reaction of the public and can indicate bias.
Projection:
Many stories tell the reader what might happen next in relation to the event or people in the report. This might include a comment from a police officer, an MP, a family member or a general prediction of consequences or outcomes.
Bias
Something to keep in mind when reading newspaper articles is bias. Usually, the views of newspapers are predetermined by their political ideology i.e. which political party they support. The Daily Mail, for example, is very biased towards the Conservative Party or right wing, whereas The Guardian is more socialist in outlook, or left wing.
However, bias does not have to be political.
How is a Newspaper Article Structured?
All newspaper articles follow a particular framework or structure.
Headline:
All stories have a headline, which gives the reader an idea of what the article is about. Tabloid headlines often use puns or other techniques, such as alliteration, to captivate their audience.
Introduction:
As the first paragraph in an article, the introduction is very important. Its contents tell the reader in more detail what the article is about. Research into how people reader newspapers shows that most people read the headline first, followed by the first paragraph of the story. If the introduction is not interesting then most people will to continue reading the article. The first paragraph is often known as a stand-first, printed in a bold font.
Elaboration:
The next few paragraphs tell the reader more about the story that is outlined in the introduction. They inform readers about the following key words:
What
When
Where
Who
Why.
Quotes:
Almost all news stories have comments from those involved or from voyeurs (onlookers). Their function is to make the article more objective by keeping a balanced viewpoint. Alternatively, they can make the article more subjective by sensationalising the reaction of the public and can indicate bias.
Projection:
Many stories tell the reader what might happen next in relation to the event or people in the report. This might include a comment from a police officer, an MP, a family member or a general prediction of consequences or outcomes.
Bias
Something to keep in mind when reading newspaper articles is bias. Usually, the views of newspapers are predetermined by their political ideology i.e. which political party they support. The Daily Mail, for example, is very biased towards the Conservative Party or right wing, whereas The Guardian is more socialist in outlook, or left wing.
However, bias does not have to be political.