Initial Research into Newspapers.

Definition

[Wikipedia] "A newspaper is a regularly scheduled publication containing news, information, and advertising, usually printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. General-interest newspapers often feature articles on political events, crime, business, art/entertainment, society and sports."

Newspapers Should...

ü Attract the readers into wanting to buy.

ü Reinforce the newspapers identity through easily recognisable style features.

ü Demonstrate the newspapers attitude towards the news of the day (make the main headline stand out).

ü Show the main stories, hopefully including better coverage of these stories than any other paper in the area.

Codes and Conventions (Front Page)

• Photographs are used to grab the attention of the readers. It may or may not be linked to the main story and is often in colour.
• Captions in newspapers are the words below a photograph which explain its meaning or describe the contents of the image.
• The Headline is usually in large bold letters, taking up the entire width of the page. The headline is always important as it is one of the first eye-catching features of a paper and determines the main story.
  
• The masthead is the newspapers title and is also an eye-catching feature of a newspaper. It has to remain recognisable to provide the newspapers identity.
• News stores are split into columns for an easier read and make the paper look less complicated.

This allows readers to stop reading at any point and still understand the basis of the story gaining enough information needed such as who, what, where, why and when.

Colours Used on Masthead

• Liverpool Echo - Red + Blue
• The Mirror - Red
• The Daily Star - Red
• Merseymart - Red + Blue
• Knowsley Challenge - Red
• News of the World - Red

Looking at some of the more popular newspapers, it is evident that the colour red plays an important part in mastheads as it is an eye catching colour and stands out very well.

Fonts

After looking over several websites, I discovered that these fonts are commonly used in newspapers such as The Mirror and the Guardian;

Font One / Franklin Gothic Book

Font Two / Times New Roman

Font Three / Bodoni

Font FOUR / Impact (usually used for headlines)

Font Five / Microsoft Sans Serif.

Although the fonts are common in newspapers, their style may not appeal to my age range and may seem less interesting than other possible choices. As I have begun research on fonts, I will create several practise fonts which I like and would think are suitable for a newspaper and hold a focus group to determine which fonts others like, and hopefully, come up with a decision on which is best to use.

Questionnaire Results

1. What is your age?


2. What is your gender?

The Results of the gender question luckily left me with an equal amount of participents, both male and female.

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3. What would / does attract you to read local newspapers?

Question 3 had many multiple answers to choose from and also left the participents to choose more than one feature of newspapers. As I had multiple answers that varied from one to four per question, I decided to convert the results into the amount each answer was chosen as a percentage. It is clearly visible from the above bar chart that Film/TV was chosen the most, 25% of the time, followed by News at 20%. These two features are evidently the most attractive of a local newspaper and would be useful for attracting my target audience to a new paper. At 15%, Sport, Entertainment and Celeb Gossip, would be useful sub-articles to use in my newspaper.

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4. How do you receive current local news?

It is clear that people use the internet to access local news, as it is perhaps more accessible, this information is useful as links to my newspaper's website would be useful to include.

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5. What price would you pay for a local newspaper?

It is interesting to see a group of people at this age would pay 25P-35P for a local newspaper, I was expecting that the FREE option would have gained a lot more.

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6. Where would be a suitable location to access a local newspaper?

It is visually evident that a Local Newsagent is the automatic location to distribute a local newspaper. Only one chose College/Uni which, based on the age range, is surprising as this location would be a much simpler and easier access point.

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7. Do you read any local newspapers?

The Liverpool Echo is the most chosen paper that my target audience read, I have previously analysed the Echo and will use my analysis alot more than my others to help with planning and construction as the Echo seems to attract it's audience well.

The Knowsley Challenge: Analysis

The Knowsley Challenge

This is a free paper distributed in College. It will be useful for analysis as my target audience will be students.

The masthead is similar to that of the typical conventions used in previous papers that I have looked at, it is located at the top left of the front page and is a reasonable size, using the colour red which could also suggest that the colours are being used to purely attract the eyes of readers.

Below the masthead, is an immense white on black headline; COUNCIL FACES SHORTFALL OF £30M, the headline is an important feature of the paper visually drawing readers to the news story which appears to be the lead story as it’s columns take up almost all of the front page. The content of the news story seems to be aimed at adults as the younger audience would most probably have no interest in the council. However, this is contrast by the advert located at the bottom, advertising a Youth Theatre aiming at children and teenagers from the age of 12 to 21. This may only direct at adults with children but also older teenagers interested in performing arts, maybe who are studying it at college or university.

Situated at the top right is an advert for a taxi firm, this is interesting as the advert has no target audience to aim at. It is a useful piece of information valuable for those of any age including college students, workers etc.

On the right side of the front page lists the ‘Inside this month’ contents, this seems to go against conventions of previous newspapers which had their contents within the first few pages. This technique is useful for allowing readers to see what is expected inside by just looking at the front page.

Going over the first page, I noticed that as it contains many news stories, it makes this page over packed and very cramped together; this could also drive readers away as the amount of stories on the page looks very complicated. The main story stands out as it is the only direct white on black headline which in my opinion catches the eye the most.

Other news stories located on the page only have very small headlines and roughly around 12-20 lines each.

There is one advert on the first page, which is for Clarendon College, a school for 3-16 year olds. This advert is specifically for adults who have children as they may be considering sending their children here; it has also been placed besides a news story about young school pupils which is useful as both articles are aimed at the same target audience.

The paper seems to contain topics and adverts for a target audience beyond college students. It is aimed at more adults, mainly family orientated readers. However, it is useful as all of its stories and advertisements are locally related to Knowsley.

The Merseymart: Analysis.

Merseymart

The second paper I will analyse will be the Merseymart. This is a free local newspaper. I have chosen this as it is yet another local paper and with analysis, I will be able to examine not only the conventions of a newspaper but also, that of a local one.

The masthead is similar to that of the Echo’s, it is located at the top left of the front page and is a reasonable size, using the colours red and blue. The colours seem to be a typical convention of newspaper titles, which could be due to the Liverpool and Everton colours representing the local city's football clubs. It could also suggest that the colours are being used to purely attract the eyes of readers with its bright colours.

The paper displays necessary information such as publication date and the price which stands at FREE.

Below the masthead and details, there is a large image of what looks like a disastrous earthquake scenario. The story on the other hand explains that the earthquake was part of an exercise used to train firemen. The editors have used the image to attract readers to the paper. The image however, presents to readers a realistic disaster that will immediately attract the readers. The column for this lead is situated in a small box to the left and after reading; the dramatic story represented by the image unfolds.

It is then overruled by an immense white on black headline;

Splashing out over flood hell.

The headline becomes the next important feature of the paper visually drawing readers to the next news story which appears to be the lead story as it has more columns and a sub heading;

City to spend £500k on improving underground waterway.

However, with the news story using a vast amount of space, it only uses a minor sized image of a car splashing through what looks like the flood that the headline speaks of.

There are then three different advertisements located on the front page, two at the bottom and one in the top right. The adverts all target various ages and categories of audience.

-The first advert, located at the top right, is for a mobility shop including stair lifts and scooters, this advert directly targets the older audience or in certain cases, disabled people.

-One of the bottom two adverts is for a theatre art school for 4 to 16 year olds. This evidently targets families, and/or the parents who have young children.

-The final advert is for solicitors which would be intended for adults, preferably, those that work as the heading of the advert reads; Had an accident at work?

Overall, the front page tends to target a wide amount of readers. It also uses imagery to attract its readers and in the case of the Merseymart, it uses a white on black headline which goes against typical conventions of newspapers, compared to other newspaper that I have looked at.

The contents of the first page display about a third of the page on contacting the Merseymart for the use of advertising, distributing etc. The middle column of the page, also the largest column, is a news story on the TV show; The X Factor, which is very useful for entertainment purposes, however does not provide local news. In the case of the second page, it is very practical and encourages fans of the popular show to read, and then read on. The final column is split into five fillers which provide minor local news stories.

Another local newspaper which is also free is the Knowsley Challenge, however, this is useful as it is located for access at my college. I will collect a copy and analyse it.

The Liverpool Echo: Analysis.

Liverpool Echo.

I am analysing the ‘Liverpool Echo’ Main Extra from Wednesday, September 8, 2010. I have chosen this paper as it is very popular and local in Liverpool. As my local area of interest for my own paper will also be Liverpool, this paper is a very good example to analyse.

The ‘Liverpool Echo’ displays its usual masthead, situated at the top of the front page. Its location allows it to be clearly visible in blue and red, which makes it recognisable for readers and also draws attention. The logo situated on the right of the masthead is the Liver bird, a local symbol of the city and another form of attracting local residents of Liverpool.

The paper displays necessary information such as release date and the price which stands at 49p.

Directly below the masthead, to the left, is the papers usual slogan:

“News/Sport/Life. It’s Happening”

displayed in the Echo’s conventional colours; blue and red. On the current paper, an image from a nearby sub-heading covers the tagline which suggests that current readers of the Echo already understand the contents of the paper, which the slogan indicates.

The headline TUNNEL HORROR is probably the most eye catching title on the front page and will be seen instantly by readers with its bold face and vast font. Below the headline, is a reasonably sized image which shows a chaotic traffic jam directly reflecting the headline’s content. Also below, is a smaller sub-heading providing very little, but informative detail, surrounded in a blue box for another eye catching effect. It then provides a minor black on white column lead to the story, displaying only fourteen lines as it is not essential to cover the full news story for the front page in its attempt to attract readers, it contains a ‘Turn to Page 3’ line to direct readers from the front page to the full news story.

On the right of the front page, displays a black box with BOMB SQUAD ALERT in a yellow font. This colour contrast effect provides an eye catching appearance however; its size composes it as a secondary lead, or aftermath after viewing the main headline and story.

The advert located at the bottom of the front page is in full colour for recognition and is advertising local pawnbroker/jewellers. It effectively targets older readers; mainly adults aged over twenty five. This is evident due to the cost and style of the jewellery being advertised, it does not appeal to a younger audience.

Next I will look at a free local newspaper, such as the Merseymart.

Questionnaire

I have completed my first questionnaire, it focuses on audience's views on local newspapers, such as whether they read them or not or what they would prefer to be included as articles. The questionnaire is suitable for readers and non-readers of newspapers. Here is a copy of my questions and their multiple choice answers.
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1) What is your age?

2) What is your gender?

3) What would / does attract you to local newspapers?

News / Sport / Entertainment / Lifestyle / Events / Adverts / Gossip / Film+TV / Other

4) How do you receive current local news?

Newspaper / Internet / Word of Mouth / TV / Radio / Other / No Interest

5) What price would you pay for a local newspaper?

FREE / 10p-25p / 35p - 45p / 45p - 60p / 60p+

6) Where would be a suitable location to access a local newspaper?

College / Newsagents / Delivery / Social Areas / Other

7) Do you read any local newspapers?

Echo / Merseymart / Daily Post / Metro / Knowsley Challenge / None / Other

8) If you do not read newspapers, why?

Unable to access / Price / No suitable areas / No interest / Other

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This questionnaire should provide enough information and views to then begin planning my own newspaper, which should then match my target audience's preferences. I will hand the questionnaire out to the age range; 16-24 which should provide average results.

When I receive my results, I will transfer them into graphs for better visual analysis.

Whilst I dispatch and wait for the results, I will begin analysing current local newspapers for a better understanding of how they present their articles, layout, codes & conventions and style to help create my own project.

Sending Emails

I sent emails to four people concerning how the articles presented in newspapers are chosen to suit the target audience. For my research and planning, I have chosen to analyse the Liverpool Echo, the South Liverpool Merseymart and the Metro. I have sent emails to the executive editor and newsdesk of the Liverpool Echo, one to the newsdesk of the Merseymart and one to the newsdesk of the Metro.

Here are the emails that I have sent;

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(Liverpool Echo, Exectuive Editor: Andrew Campbell)

Andrew,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the Liverpool Echo to research into and analyse and would like to ask you what the target audience is of the paper? Also, how are the front page articles chosen to suit this target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

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(Liverpool Weekly Newspaper Group inc. South Liverpool Merseymart, Newsdesk)

Hello,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the South Liverpool Merseymart to research into and analyse and would like to ask what the target audience is and how the front page articles are chosen to suit the target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

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(Liverpool Echo; Newsdesk)

News desk,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the Liverpool Echo to research into and analyse and would like to ask how the front page articles are chosen to suit the target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

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(Metro: Newsdesk)

Hello,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the Metro to research into and analyse and would like to ask what the target audience is and how the front page articles are chosen to suit the target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

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I hope to recieve replies as soon as possible to help construct my research. Whilst I wait, I will begin to construct a questionnaire to despatch to my chosen target audience, which is 16-24.

Emails

For the process of research and planning, I have decided that I would email various local newspapers as this will evidently provide valuable information which will be useful for my own project. Using the Internet, I managed to gather several emails, these included:

Liverpool Echo

Executive Editor- Andrew Campbell
andrew.campell@liverpool.com

Head of Content- Maria Breslin
maria.bresline@liverpool.com

Newsdesk
news@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Liverpool Weekly Newspaper Group (Inc. South Liverpool Merseymart)

lwng.newsdesk@liverpool.com
terry.owen@liverpool.com

The Metro
news.liverpool@ukmetro.co.uk

I have chosen these newspapers as I am a current resident in Liverpool, therefore, I can use any information provided to help shape my own project and to fully understand the types of stories used in the local area. By emailing, I can look into how the various articles are chosen and also consider asking about statistics such as target audience.
I also looked into finding contact details for the 'Liverpool Daily Post', however, the contact details were very similar to that of the 'Echo'. My target for my next lesson is to construct a suitable email and send it to the contact details above.

Research and Planning Schedule

13^th September – 11^th October

Below is a brief schedule for myself to use for the next four weeks. I can use this plan to construct my research and to ensure that I remain focused and organised.

· Send emails to local newspapers, questioning them about any queries I might have such as how they decide what is useful to present in their newspapers and how they aim at their chosen age range.

· Create a questionnaire and distribute it to my target audience asking various questions about their interests and preferences in current newspapers and what they would like to see in an upcoming paper for their age. Also, I will evaluate the results and graph them for use in construction.

· Analyse Local Newspapers, looking at style and layout, researching typical codes and conventions to use or develop in my final project.

· Using a variety of local newspapers, choose a target audience to aim my paper at, maybe what is ‘missing’ from the market.

· Decide on a suitable name for my newspaper and begin thinking about possible articles and images suitable for my target audience. Also thinking about price, colours, language and style.

· Do some 'initial' research into newspapers

· Hold Focus groups containing members of my chosen age range, researching likes an dislikes of my favourite fonts and layouts for my newspaper.

Brief

For my A2 Media Studies coursework, I will produce the front cover and first page of a local newspaper, along with its own poster campaign and radio advert. I aim to research for, and plan my newspaper before construction, looking at current local papers and receiving audience's views. This will help produce ideas for my own project.

After the main text is completed, I will begin working on the ancillary tasks, using similar research into posters and radio adverts. I will begin to create a schedule to help me plan out my stages of construction.