KA2

SECTION A

1 - Compare how these pages from the The Sun and The Times construct versions of reality. In your answer you must: 

• consider the choices media producers make when constructing versions of reality 
• consider the similarities and differences in the representations 
• make judgements and draw conclusions about how far the representations relate to relevant media contexts. 

[30 marks, 45 minutes]

When constructing the separate versions of reality, the 2 newspapers both use different ways in constructing news and put there own twist on some features to make them unique to their own opinions and layout. For some background of the 2 newspapers in question, The Times is a broadsheet newspaper whereas the The Sun is a more tabloid newspaper, which means the way in which both of them present both in terms of layout and content will differ somewhat. 

The Sun uses informal language and nickname of 'Bojo' to describe Johnson to draw the reader in and create a mockery of him. This is done to create an idea of humour for the British public who would find it stupid that he would be able to get his old job back, after he left only so recently. The use of the words 'Ill be back', shows the newspaper bringing across their ideology of he will be back to produce more harm like he did before, almost giving reference to a villain quote in a film. The fact the headline is not in speech marks shows its not a direct quote from Johnson or another politician and is made up from the editors at the Sun for effect on the reader and portray a story in the way they want. They focus more on pictures or headlines to draw a reader in, with a minimal inclusion of what the article says inside, to try and portray more important information, instead of having a word heavy text that will appear as boring and clash with the tabloid newspaper stereotype. Above the story it includes 'disaster PM liz quits' which gives a clear and obvious ideology of what the newspaper views of liz truss which is also supported in the mini article available to readers on the page. As is a common feature of the Sun they use nicknames or names that the public will associated more with such as Bojo or Rishi instead of Sunak or Johnson to make them seem less important than what they are in the role they play in peoples lives, to try and make a mockery of their roles and their power. The words such as turmoil and the quote of 'stop Bojo Stitch-up' gives the idea the Sun is a less formal newspaper and more one to appease to the general public and influence there opinions of the conservative party through humour and mocking the situation for the changes in prime minister. The picture they used of Johnson makes him seem very direct but also pleading to be given his old job back. The look in his eyes present desperation and has been used by the editors to make him seem desperate with the direct address adding to the desperation which will come across very clear to the reader. The Sun includes serif font to appear more dramatic and re-enforces being aimed for lower class people with less fancy typography

The times is a more formal layout of information, giving a more narrative and factual view on a political event such as party gate. Considered a conservative newspaper, they will often try and adjust a narrative of a story to try and alter peoples opinion to support Tories, even when the storyline would struggle to. The times is also a broadsheet newspaper, which has a higher importance on delivering more factual information instead of delivering information in a more informal way. They use very controlled and sophisticated language, and commonly known to be aimed at more upper class people, to influence their decision on who to vote for. Their headline on the newspaper is very balanced and have no real political ideology whereas most newspapers will be accusing Johnson of the party gate scandal. They also word in it in a way that makes it sound common and something that just happens instead of including the rules he broke. The fact that on the front page there are multiple adverts or other stories, gives the impression that the newspaper are trying to draw attention away from the negative press about the prime minister, in a way of trying to brush it aside as not important or anything special to the public. The picture used is indirect address but kind of gives the impression from the facial expression that Johnson feels remorse for what's happened, therefore should be forgiven. The Times includes Sans-serif font which gives the idea its for upper class people who have a more fancy way of writing and typography

The similarities between the two newspapers is they both include other articles on the front cover which can kind of draw attention away from the main story but not significantly. They both contain a source of quotations from the article on the front page to add extra detail to the reader and give the idea that what's inside the newspaper is factual or include some detail. They both use pictures to reinforce their display on the main story in both cases of Boris Johnson, but clash on where the Sun make a mockery of him and the Times give the idea people should accept he takes responsibility and forgive him. They differ in the use of language and amount of language for a front cover, with Sun as a tabloid being informal compared to The Times being a broadsheet and more formal, and having more information and being more writing heavy. They both have a different way of writing their headlines, through both font and presentation.

They both relate to the chosen stories due to the way in which they display information, and the way that is expected through their type of newspaper.

In conclusion they both have individual and similar points in terms of type of newspaper through content, layout and ideology of the chosen subject that is being written about.

SECTION B

2 - Explain how the newspaper industry targets audiences. Make reference to a print edition of The Daily Mirror to support your points

The Daily Mirror will target its audience through the use of consistent ideology of a specific event or group of people, such as Labour and Conservative parties. This will be based on what is more popular in a chosen area such as a county or borough in London as to whether a newspaper is designed for a specific area or have a certain message included. In one print edition of the daily mirror they included an article written by labour leader Keir Starmer, which will clearly portray the target audience to labour voters or potential labour followers as a conservative follower won't buy or read that article as it goes against that individuals political beliefs. Therefore the Daily Mirror will be more interested in targeting individuals or groups that portray a certain interest or perspective in order to portray information in a way that will suit them and make them buy and believe in the messages in the newspaper. This will of course vary from newspaper to newspaper as they will all differ in ways they represent political views and the Daily Mirror falls into that category too in order to try and influence readers and target them into believing their information. They can also include things like different messages or unique features or interviews to target a particular audience.