Narrative
Media Studies: Eduqas GCSE, topic 2.11.2
Narrative
The Guardian issue that was published on 18th January 2022 covers the accusations from Dominic Cummings to Boris Johnson.
Headline
- The headline reads ‘Cummings accuses PM of lying over No 10 party’.
- The headline presents a matter-of-fact and neutral tone.
- Roland Barthes' semiotic theory breaks down the process of reading signs.
- Following Roland Barthes' theory, the headline does not directly cover what the allegations are.
- This entices the readers to pursue their coverage.
Splash
- The splash is the lead story in a newspaper.
- The language used in the splash has some elements of bias.
- For example, part of the splash reads, ‘Johnson admitted’.
- While there are statements from Boris Johnson, most of the statements are from Dominic Cummings.
- The framing of the splash places Cummings’ allegations as having more prominence and Johnson ‘owning up’ to mistakes.
Cover lines
- The cover line on the bottom left reads ‘UK sending anti-tank weapons to Ukraine’.
- The reporting on this story is matter-of-fact.
- The cover line on the bottom right reads ‘Inquiry launched into Mone over ‘VIP lane’ deal’.
- Baroness Michelle Mone is a Conservative peer who was accused of profiting from a manufacturer she had referred to produce PPE.
- This plays into The Guardian’s political allegiance, compounding mistrust of the Conservative Party.
Skylines
A skyline is a panel on the front page that tells the reader about the stories in the newspaper. Skylines entice the reader to read the paper.
G2
- The skyline of this newspaper is occupied by the supplement, G2.
- G2 is a segment which appears in the newspaper.
- G2 is on offer for readers who prefer ‘lighter’ news and articles over ‘hard-hitting’ political coverage.
Left-hand skyline
- The left-hand skyline reads ‘What we miss about working in the office’.
- The skyline references the growing work-from-home initiatives after the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The left-hand skyline presents The Guardian as being more ‘relatable’ to its audience.
- The Guardian is not readily embracing change.
- This is a common right-wing sentiment.
Right-hand skyline
- The right-hand skyline reads ‘A bottle of Warhol 75 please. When art and wine collide’.
- This skyline references the visual artist, Andy Warhol.
- Andy Warhol initiated the 'pop art' movement.
- The right-hand skyline presents The Guardian as cultured and in tune with audience tastes.
- The skyline suggests that those reading The Guardian are somewhat cultured themselves.
Test yourself on Narrative
What is the headline for The Guardian issue published on 18th January 2022?
Which artist does the right-hand skyline reference?
What does G2 offer to readers of The Guardian?