The Times (Section A: Representation) Flashcards
What percentage of the newspaper readership is female and male?
Female 60%
Male 40%
What does the typography of the mast head connote?
• Serif font connotes sophistication
• Badge of quality
• Latin language - adopting traits from the Church of England, national pride, royalty
What does the image of the woman yawning partially obscuring the mast head connote?
That the newspaper is successful enough that it can partially be covered and the audience will still recognise the newspaper
Which audience is targetted with the newspapers heavy copy and minimal use of images?
An educated audience with a high reading level
What does “The Times verdict” in the article connote?
That the opinion of the times is important and worth the audience hearing
What does the Media Language used in the main image connote about Boris Johnson?
• Image has been darkened into chiaroscuro lighting - emphasises the dark circles under his eyes and the wrinkles on his face
• Gesture code of scrunching his face up into an awkward smile connotes his shame and guilt, reinforced by the indirect mode of address with the audience
• Suit and tie reinforces his professionalism and place as an authority figure - placing responsibility on the PM
Who wrote the investigative report into the lockdown parties in 2022?
Sue Gray
How does anchoring an anecdote from Sue Gray’s report mirror the judgment of the Times?
Report claims that there were failures in leadership, by the times anchoring this text, they too are placing this judgement on the PM
The use of ellipses also suggests that there is more judgement to come
What does the word ‘Police’ connote in the headline of the article?
The seriousness of the situation
Creates a binary opposition of following the rules v breaking the rules
What does the subheadline of “Gray criticises leadership and drinking culture” connote?
Creates a binary opposition of the two conflicting ideologies
Negative connotations around drinking culture, makes them appear unprofessional
What is placing the two words “lockdown parties” together an example of?
An oxymoron
Used to anger audiences
How does this front page differ from other articles in the times?
The times are typically centre right, and showcase less of a political bias.
This is an example of the times being anti conservative to align with popular public opinion, shows how even right wing organisations are disappointed with the conservative government
What are the smaller stories at the bottom of the page called? What do they suggest about the readers of the times?
Jump lines
Encourage readers to buy the newspaper so they can read the rest of the article
“Migrants crossing up” suggest the target audience is right wing
Which parties does the article include opinions of?
All parties, shows how all parties are shocked and disappointed by these parties
What is the name of the lifestyle section of the newspaper shown in the soft news section of the page?
Times2
Appeals to a wider audience who are interested in lifestyle stories, fitness articles suggests a Middle aged audience
What demographic does the times target?
ABC1
White
Middle class
Right wing
Educated
How can Stuart Halls representation theory support the times?
Media producers are constructivists
- Whilst The Times are centre right and less politically bias than other newspapers, they provide opinions and judgements from people who criticise the Conservative Party for the lockdown breaches. The message they are connoting is not blatantly obvious, allowing audiences to reach a preferred, negotiated or an oppositional reading of the paper. However, by placing these subtle signs and codes, they are constructing a conceptual road map for audiences to align with the desired reading of their product
