The Times - Language and Representations

Language

1) What is the main story on the front cover of the Times CSP edition and why does it appeal to Times readers?

The main story focuses on climate change and cop26 which may appeal to the audience as they are likely to be interested in current global issues

2) List the other news stories and kickers on the front page of the Times CSP edition. Why do you think the Times selected these for the front page?

The super rich staffing crisis - aimed at upper class readers

Free home delivery - trying to grow the number of readers 

3) What is the main story on the inside page of the Times CSP edition and how is it constructed to appeal to Times readers? 

Main story focuses on global warming issues and the politics behind what is happening the cop26 summit. The photos used purposefully construct Boris Johnson

4) How are the Times front and inside pages designed to reflect broadsheet newspaper conventions?

Technical Codes: Whilst The Times employs colour, it is much more understated than the tabloid Mirror.  More traditional fonts, styles and sizes reinforce this traditional symbolism.

Conventions: The Times observes more traditional codes and conventions than the Daily Mirror, with less direct address and a more formal, authoritative tone as if giving the reader less active participation and more passive access to information.

5) What does a close analysis of the news stories in the Times CSP edition suggest about the Times's political beliefs?

Representations

1) What representation of the Conservative Party can be found in the main story on the front page?

Reflects the Times's position as patriotic and a traditional supporter of the Conservative party with a story about a row with French President Emmanuel Macron. Also prioritizes Prime Minister Boris Johnson's message for the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

2) What representations of Britain can be found on the front of the Times?

By using the crest in its masthead, the newspaper is associating itself with being British and part of an established heritage and tradition.

3) How are the super rich represented on the Times front page?

Kicker focuses on the super rich and their struggles to find staff. This is sympathetic to very rich people and also suggests to Times readers that the super rich are important and should feature on the front cover.

4) How is climate change represented as an issue in the Times? Are there similarities or differences with how it is represented in the Daily Mirror?

Climate change story is surprising and subverts what we might normally expect in the Times. The headline is sympathetic to young people and suggests they are 'right to be angry'. Perhaps appeals to younger readers

5) What representations can you find in the inside pages of the Times CSP? Focus on headlines, articles and images.

Main image has an advert in the background saying 'No time for delays' - this is a joke (the passengers are all delayed) but also a reference to Boris Johnson's message to COP26. 

The Times - Introduction

1) What year was The Times founded and when did it start using the Times name?

It began in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register, adopting its modern name on 1 January 1788.

2) What content did John Walter suggest the paper would offer in the first edition?

This included stories of the latest scandals and gossip about famous people in London.

3) Who owns The Times today and how is editorial integrity protected?

Published by Times Media Limited, wholly owned by News UK & Ireland Ltd.

4) What did The Times introduce in 2010 and why?

paper introduced digital subscriptions in 2010 to help ensure a sustainable future for their journalism

5) What was The Times named in 2018 by the Reuters Institute for Journalism at Oxford University?

The titles are the biggest-selling quality print newspapers in the UK and in 2018 The Times was named Britain's most trusted national newspaper by the Reuters Institute for Journalism at the University of Oxford.

6) What does the section on Editorial Standards say about The Times and newspaper regulation?

ii) They must not be approached or photographed at school without permission of the school authorities. iii) Children under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child's welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents.

7) What does the section on Ownership say about The Times and who is the current editor? 

Tony Gallagher (born 2 November 1963) is a British newspaper journalist, and is currently editor of The Times. He was editor of The Daily Telegraph, joint deputy editor of the Daily Mail, and editor of The Sun in 2015, before being appointed editor of The Times in 2022.

8) Write down three key statistics from this page.

Average daily readership: 1.04m 

Times readers have a mean family income: £55,885 

Social grade: AB 62% 

9) Look at the various sections of the newspaper outlined on this page (e.g. Entertainment, Announcements, Travel). What do these sections suggest about The Times newspaper's audience?

According to the British Business Survey (Sept 2011), The Times is the No.1 daily newspaper for business readers and reaches 50% more decision makers than the Financial Times or the Daily Telegraph. The Times won the Business and Finance Newspaper Team of the Year Team Award at the 2011 Press Awards

10) Click on three of the sections - your choice. Write down one key detail for each section you choose e.g. Travel - more Times readers took a holiday abroad last year than any other newspaper.

We know our readers are animal lovers with a significant 1.4 million owning a pet.

We are pleased that the engagement of Benedict Cumberbatch to the actress and director Sophie Hunter with a classified advertisement in the Births, Marriages and Deaths columns of The Times on Wednesday November 5 2014 using this Self-Service website

Daily Mirror - Audience and Industries

 Audience

1) What is the Daily Mirror's audience? List the key statistics here.

The Daily Mirror audience is older with almost half the audience aged 65+. In terms of social class, most are in the C1, C2 DE social classes. They are likely to be in the Struggler, Resigned or Mainstream psychographic groups. 

2) Why do the Mirror stories on the CSP pages appeal to the Daily Mirror audience?

With the increase in technology, the Daily Mirror now offers its audience opportunities to engage with the stories on a much more personal level as well as watching video content. The newspaper is speaking directly to the reader and allows them to comment or share their views on social media.  

3) Why might a reader enjoy the Daily Mirror? Use Blumler & Katz Uses and Gratifications theory to add detail to your answer.

Surveillance – the main reason we read newspapers is to find out what is going on in the world around us.  We find out news, different opinions and catch up with the latest gossip and scandal. 

Diversion/Entertainment – One of the main reasons we read newspapers is for entertainment.  Whether it’s enjoying reading the opinions of others, reading the cartoons or completing crosswords.  We want to be entertained. 

Personal Identity – the newspaper you read reflects what type of person are.  A Daily Mirror reader will probably think very differently from a Times reader. Even if a reader does not always agree with a viewpoint the newspaper puts forward, they may still be agreeing with the values being shared and thus reinforcing their own values.

Becoming an active participant – increasingly newspapers, especially online editions, encourage audiences to get involved through comments and social media. This contributes to a sense of personal identity for audiences.

4) Why are print newspapers generally read by older audiences?

The younger generations now have access to accessible to on demand news which interests them and is free. However since older people aren't as active on technology they prefer traditional paper prints.

5) How is the inside-page story on our CSP pages constructed to appeal to Daily Mirror readers? Think about text and selection of images.

The story applies to a wider audience as it mentions kids and global problems 


Industries

1) What company owns the Daily Mirror and why are they struggling? 

The Daily Mirror is owned by Reach, which used to be called Trinity Mirror. Reach publishes over 240 regional titles in addition to the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror - including our local newspaper website getwestlondon.

The Daily Mirror's circulation has fallen drastically over the years from over 3 million a day in 1990 down to around 250,000 a day in 2023.

2) Who was the Daily Mirror editor between 2018 and 2024 and what was the Partygate scandal that the Daily Mirror exposed?  

The Daily Mirror recently announced its editor Alison Phillips will be leaving the newspaper after more budget cuts at Reach. Phillips was the Mirror's first female editor since 1903 and was loved by the staff at the paper. While Phillips was editor, the Mirror ran major investigations including into special advisor Dominic Cummings and Barnard Castle

3) What is the Daily Mirror's circulation in 2023? How many papers did the Daily Mirror used to sell back in the 1990s?

245,829 in 2023 and 3 million in 1990

4) How has the Daily Mirror reacted to the decline in print sales and the growth of the internet?

 Recent falls have been due to the rise of the internet which is why the Mirror's audience is much older now.

5) List five of Galtung & Ruge's News Values and explain how they link to the stories in our CSP edition of the Daily Mirror.

Immediacy: Global warming and climate change is a current environmental issue

Familiarity: Includes representation of our own politicians (Boris Johnson)

Amplitude: is it a big event or one which involves large numbers of people?

Frequency: does the event happen fairly regularly?

Unambiguity: is it clear and definite? 

Daily Mirror - Language and Representations

Language

1) Write the definition of the following key language for newspaper front pages (you may want to add an example for each from our Daily Mirror CSP):

Masthead: a list at the top of a page that includes the names of editors, writers, and owners, as well as the title of the newspaper

Pug: Top right 'ear' of the newspaper, usually having offers and promotions.

Splash Head:  The lead story.

Slogan: a short phrase that is easy to remember.

Dateline: a line in a written document or a printed publication giving the date and place of composition or issue.

Kicker: an additional headline for your news.

Byline: a line in a newspaper naming the writer of an article.

Standfirst: An introductory paragraph in an article, printed in larger or bolder type or in capitals, which summarises the article.

2) How much does a copy of the Daily Mirror cost? (Note: the current cost is different to the CSP edition - we recommend learning both).

90p

3) What are the main stories on the CSP edition of the Daily Mirror (see above)? Make sure you learn the headline and what the stories are about.

Climate change and pride of Britain awards.

4) Why is the choice of news stories and content on the Mirror CSP front page typical of a tabloid newspaper?

Generally, the newspaper will act as a voice for normal people and go against the rich and powerful so it is no surprise they chose stories they chose stories from the perspective of ordinary people.

5) What is the balance on the Daily Mirror front page between images, headlines and text?

Daily mirror contain a lot more images with very little text.


Representations

1) What political party does the Daily Mirror support? Is there any evidence to support this in the CSP pages we have studied?

The Daily Mirror supports the Labour Party and is against the Conservative Party.

2) How does the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards represent ordinary British people?

The Awards celebrate extraordinary achievements of people of all ages, from children of courage to lifesaving emergency workers, inspirational fundraisers and people who make the world a better place, in local communities and on a national or even global scale.

3) How is climate change as an issue represented in the Daily Mirror? What evidence can you provide from the CSP pages to support this?

The severity and urgency of the issue is presented very well as it is refered to being '1 minute to midnight' by the former prime minister Boris Johnson 

4) How are environmental protesters like Greta Thunberg represented in the Daily Mirror? Look at the inside pages to answer this.

Referred too as a a 'masked crusade' suggesting she is on a mission although she is a young girl and is not as clueless as 'Boris' who is presented as a prime minister who is quite uneducated

5) Read the main articles on the inside pages. How are different countries, political leaders and Royals represented in the Daily Mirror? Does this reinforce or subvert the stereotypes we usually see in the media?  

Ordinary people and working class citizens are presented as more important and stronger than political leaders who are purposefully presented as clueless

Introduction to Newspapers

1) What type of news can you typically find in a tabloid newspaper?

Tabloids tend to feature shorter articles and include more photographs. They report on major news, but also include a lot of showbiz gossip, entertainment and sport.

2) What type of news can you typically find in a broadsheet newspaper?

Broadsheet newspapers traditionally tend to be more serious, have smaller fonts, more advanced use of language and less photography

3) If someone is left-wing, which political party are they likely to support? Which newspaper would they be likely to read?

Left-wing = Labour = Daily Mirror

4) If someone is right-wing, which political party are they likely to support? Which newspaper would they be likely to read?

Right-wing = Conservative = The Times

5) Why has there been a decline in newspaper sales in the last 20 years?

Whilst still popular, since the 1950s, there has been a gradual decline in newspaper sales due to TV news programmes and, more recently, the growth of digital news through websites and social media.

6) Why is a free press important in a democracy like the UK?

A free press implies that journalists (those that write for newspapers) and newspaper editors can edit content free of intervention from Government influence. More than a third of the world’s population live in countries where there is no press freedom. Journalists are often imprisoned if they disagree with the Government, social media channels are not allowed, non-democratic countries often control access to information and employ state-run news organisations.

December mock exam: Learner Response

1) Type up any feedback on your paper (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential). If you only have marks and a grade on the paper, write a WWW/EBI yourself based on your scores.

Total = 48   Grade = 6

WWW - This is a 

2) Use the mark scheme for this Paper 2 mock to read the answers AQA were looking for. First, write down a definition and example of non-diegetic sound (Q1.1 and 1.2). 

all sounds generated within the world of the drama

‘When Lyra asks, “So you’re a kitchen boy then?”

3) Next, identify three points you could have made in Q1.3 - camerawork and the extract. Look for the indicative content in the mark scheme - these are the suggested answers from AQA.

• The opening shot in the extract focuses on the omelet in Will’s hand – almost close-up – with handheld camera movement following the plate to the table. This focus on the food Will has cooked seems to establish him as the less dominant person in the relationship. The medium shot of Lyra suspiciously looking at the food reinforces this power imbalance in their relationship.
• Camera angle is used in an interesting way in the extract. Will is often shown from a low angle which should suggest power or dominance. However, his expression and body language is very timid so in fact seems to further emphasize Lyra’s confidence. When Lyra is sitting at the table, the camera is deliberately placed at Lyra’s level so she is not presented as weak or vulnerable.
• The wide shot and slow dolly/tracking through the open doors shows both characters together sitting at the table. This deliberately places both characters in the same frame as the conversation becomes more friendly and less guarded. The camerawork is communicating the growing friendship between Lyra and Will and helps to foreshadow the suggestion (in the very next shot) from Will that they team up and work together. The slow dolly/track at this point signals to the audience that something important is happening; their relationship is changing. It works in a similar way to a zoom.

4) Now look at Q1.4 in the mark scheme - pick out two points from the mark scheme that you could have included in your answer.

• Will’s expression and body language is very timid which subverts masculine stereotypes. In contrast, Lyra’s movements and expressions exude confidence. This can be seen in the extract both outside at the table and later when discussing which beds they will take. 
• Lyra’s costume subverts feminine stereotypes. It is blue, practical and does not emphasize her figure or draw attention. It helps to establish Lyra as a practical confident character who is used to surviving on her own.

5) Focus on Q2 - the 20-mark essay on representations of age and social and cultural contexts. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your answer.

• Although the idea of ‘teenage’ was not new, teenagers as a distinct category developed rapidly in the post-war years and was well established by 1963. The idea of the ‘generation gap’ as a social issue was still new and much-discussed.
• Media representations of teens/young adults usually identify this group by their attitudes, behavior, language, clothing and music. There are many negative stereotypes of teenagers in television drama in which characteristics such as laziness, anti-social behavior, inability to concentrate and self-indulgence are portrayed as ‘typical’.
• There are also positive representations of teens in which attributes such as freedom, independence, creativity and social awareness are likely to be emphasized. Some frequently represented characteristics of teenagers may be seen as positive by younger audiences but as negative by older audiences. These include rebelliousness, openness to change, liberal values on matters such as sexuality and a much stronger commitment to friendship groups than to family or country.

6) Turning your attention to Section B, write a definition and example of user-generated content - use the mark scheme to check it.

Material created by those whose main role is as users of media such as newspapers, television, radio, magazines, the internet or web or online systems

7) Look at Q4 - the 20-mark essay on the power of influencers. Pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your own answer. 

• There is an army of influencers: social media users and celebrities with large, devoted followings, who give their followers access to a carefully curated version of their lives. In this “authentic” context, sponsored content, known as “sponcon”, has proved a potent tool for selling products.
• By the end of 2019, the influencer marketing industry was worth some $8bn a year. One recent report by Insider Intelligence predicted that it would grow to $15bn globally by the end of 2022. Marcus Rashford demonstrates this with his commercial partnerships with Burberry, Nike, Coca-Cola and more. The fact he appeals to such mainstream brands is evidence of his power in the digital age.

8) Now look at Q5 - the 20-mark essay on regulation and the internet. Again, pick out three points from the mark scheme that you didn't include in your own answer.

• The relationship between technology, media industries and media products
• The ways in which the media re-present the world and construct versions of reality
• The ways aspects of reality may be represented differently depending on the purposes of the producers

9) On a scale of 1-10 (1 = low, 10 = high), how much revision and preparation did you do for your Media mock exam? Be honest here - it's a good chance to think about how to approach the next set of mock exams.

4

10) List three key things you want to revise before the next mock exams in February (e.g. particular CSPs, terminology, exam technique etc.)

Film Industry

Marcus Rashford CSP

Language

1) Make two lists - one of website conventions used on Marcus Rashford's official website and one of social media conventions found on Rashford's Twitter or Instagram pages. 

Website key conventions include:

• Logo/brand identity
• Navigation – menus
• Central image
• Multimedia features – e.g. video 
• Social media links / integration

Social media key conventions include:

• Logo/brand identity
• Bio (personal details/information)
• Profile image
• Background/banner image
• Images and video
• Online engagement/audience interaction

2) How does his website promote the Marcus Rashford brand?

His website includes his logo which additionally promotes the brand and its significance

3) What connotations can be be found in the homepage for Marcus Rashford's website (you can mention either the old or new homepage)?

Marcus Rashford is presented professionally as he is seen wearing a suit and in a dark atmosphere also forecasting his logo showing his brand identity

4) How does Marcus Rashford use his social media profiles to promote his brand and campaigns?

Marcus Rashford has created a strong personal brand that merges different genres – footballer, campaigner / activist, influence and celebrity.

5) How does Marcus Rashford's online presence use the narrative of his childhood upbringing to create a positive brand identity?

His online presence – particularly video content – emphasises his working class background, how hard his mum worked as a single parent and his own positive attitude towards hard work. This creates a narrative of success against the odds. He then uses this to drive his campaigning work on food poverty and reading as well as his commercial endorsements.

Representations

1) How does Rashford use different aspects of mise-en-scene to create very different representations of himself on his own website?

He does this perfectly as he is seen wearing a suit with his head up but then seen also wearing a hoodie with his head down and this contradiction of clothing shows him as being professional and successful and wealthy but then is subverted by his seemingly shy and confined 

2) What representations of football or footballers can you find in Marcus Rashford's online presence? Does it reinforce or subvert traditional stereotypes of footballers?

It somewhat subverts the stereotypes as footballers are seen as people who get paid millions weekly for kicking a ball around however Rashford is seen as someone who doesn't only use the money for himself and instead donates to charities and helps people

3) What examples can you find of website pages, social media posts or aspects of the brand that create a positive representation of Marcus Rashford? You may wish to comment on his discussion of family or his campaigns - his page on the FareShare campaign website may help with this question.

Shows him as a member of a charity FareShare which tackle food waste in the UK

4) What representations of masculinity can you find in Marcus Rashford's online presence? Does this reinforce or challenge traditional gender stereotypes?

In most media portrayals, male characters are rewarded for self-control and the control of others, aggression and violence, financial independence, and physical desirability. However Rashford doesn't represent these traits too much apart of the fact he is humble.

5) What representations of race/ethnicity can you find in his website or social media? Does this reinforce or challenge media stereotypes? 

There is not many representations of race/ethnicity in his social media 

Audience

1) Who are the potential target audiences for Marcus Rashford's online content? Try and cover both demographics and psychographics.

• C – Class (social class – working class people)
• A – Age (youth)
• G – Gender (masculinity)
• E – Ethnicity (black British)

2) Marcus Rashford’s online presence is partly driven by his excellent use of social media. How does he use social media to engage with his fans and make them feel part of his brand?

He includes alot of links so that the audience can engage with them and make donations making them feel as if they are also working with Rashford in donating to charities

3) What is Marcus Rashford's Instagram engagement rate and what does this tell us? 

Marcus Rashford’s power as an influencer is shown by his engagement rate of 6%.

4) Go to Marcus Rashford's Twitter or Instagram account. Find and screenshot/link three tweets/posts that show the different aspects of his brand.

 celebrity and casual luxury

 Charity worker

 football career

5) What audience pleasures are provided by Marcus Rashford's online presence? Try and apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory here.

He gives them personal Identity pleasures as alot of his targeted audience being black working class teenagers will relate alot with how he was brought up and this inspires them as they can also do the same as Rashford

6) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would a preferred and oppositional reading of Marcus Rashford's online presence be?

Preferred reading:

Marcus Rashford is a humble and kind man who we should aspire to be more like as he worked hard to gain his success although he wasnt brought up with many opportunities

Oppositional reading: 

Marcus Rashford only constructs this online persona in order to attract more companies for endorsements as he can make more money

Industry

1) What is Marcus Rashford's net worth and how does his online presence help him to make money? 

Marcus Rashford’s net worth has been estimated at around £16 million

2) What charities and companies/brands is Marcus Rashford associated with? Why might they want to be linked to the Rashford brand?

• £200,000 per week from Manchester United (£10.4m a year)
• £2m endorsement deal with Nike
• Additional deals with Burberry, BT Sport (now TNT Sport), Coca-Cola and others

His online presence is adored by many people who these companies also want to target

3) Research Twitter and Instagram. Who owns the companies, how do they make money and how much profit did they make last year?

Twitter

• Twitter was started by Jack Dorsey in 2006. It now has over 200 million active users worldwide. 
• Twitter’s 2020 revenue was $3.72 billion. 
• Twitter makes most of its money through advertising – promoted tweets or ‘trend takeovers’.
• Marcus Rashford has over 5m Twitter followers.

Instagram

• Instagram is an image and video sharing site launched in 2010. 
• In 2012 it was bought by Facebook for $1 billion. Facebook and Instagram’s parent company is now called Meta – a global conglomerate.
• Instagram has over a billion active users worldwide and more than 25 million users in the UK alone.
• Instagram revenue in 2020 was $24 BILLION.
• Marcus Rashford has over 12m Instagram followers.

4) What are the worries about Instagram’s negative effects?

Instagram may be a danger to teenagers because:

• Over 40% of Instagram users are aged under 23.
• Research suggests that Instagram is damaging to mental health – particularly for teenage girls.
• Facebook’s own research suggested this – but they allegedly kept this secret.
• The research suggested one in three girls felt bad about their bodies and Instagram made this worse. It is also linked to increased anxiety and depression.

5) How do social media platforms manage online abuse on their platforms and why has Marcus Rashford drawn attention to this? How might this change in the future?

The government put forward the Online Safety bill in 2022 to change the law and add regulation of the internet to Ofcom’s role as media regulator.

6) What happened by law in 2022 that changed the way the internet is regulated? Write three changes that this new law may bring in and explain why it is difficult to regulate the internet.

• Sending threatening posts being punishable by jail sentences.
• Platforms like Twitter and Instagram having to actively prevent users seeing harmful material – or risk being fined by Ofcom.
• Platforms paying Ofcom to regulate their content.