A Comparison of Two Different Newspapers

A Comparison of Two Different Newspapers

In the following essay, I intend to compare the differences and

similarities in which two different newspapers - a tabloid (The

Mirror) and a broadsheet (The Times) report the same story. I will be

looking at the presentation and the use of language as well as the

basics of how the story is put forward and told. Both papers are

reporting the same story in which Prince Philip made a statement along

the lines that 'guns are no more dangerous than cricket bats'

following a shooting at a school in Dunblane in Scotland. In general

there are many differences between tabloids and broadsheets. A tabloid

is smaller than a broadsheet, usually being about half the size and so

is easier to handle. Tabloids tend to be more gossip based, informing

more on celebrities, scandals and entertaining the reader whereas a

broadsheet focuses on more serious issues such as politics, business

and informing the reader.

Both papers feature several presentation techniques, but how they are

used differ greatly. For example, the masthead in The Mirror is very

bold and simple whereas The Times' is more formal yet ornate, posh and

traditional. The style of these masthead contrasts with the style of

the paper itself, The Mirror in it's choice of reported articles and

the way in which they are produced is very simple and 'to the point'

whereas The Times' articles are usually far more informative with less

colloquial language and humour. The Mirror's headline is very large

and bold, this attracts the readers attention as well as making the

page seem less intimidating as there is far less to actually read. The

Times' on t...

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...ally have a lower reading stamina (reading stamina is the average

length of reading someone can do before loosing attention). Thus these

papers are easier to read as they have less text, more pictures and

simpler language. The readership of a broadsheet such as The Times

tends to be those with a high reading stamina who demand in-depth

reporting. An example of these people include those with more time,

for example when travelling such as businessmen, lawyers and teachers.

These papers have far more text and less pictures and are often linked

to education.

The Mirror and The Times both tell the same story in very different

ways as I have explained in this essay. It is a fact that The Mirror

uses more sensational language and bias than The Times, which uses

more informative and factual language and is far more neutral.