Newspapers: Tabloids

Newspapers: Tabloids

Understanding Tabloid Newspapers

• Tabloid newspapers typically prioritise sensational stories, informal language, and large, eye-grabbing headlines.
• Acknowledge that tabloids focus on stories with human interest or scandal, with more emphasis on celebrities, sports, and popular culture than broadsheets.
• They often appeal to a lower-middle-class demographic favouring emotive and populist content.

Representations in Tabloids

• Be aware of the term representation, which refers to how subjects or groups are portrayed in the media.
• Note that tabloids have certain favoured stereotypes and representations, using sensationalism and moral panic to illicit strong emotional reactions.
• As tabloids often align with populist ideologies, consider how their representations might mirror, reinforce, or influence widely held beliefs.

Tabloids: Form and Language

• Be familiar with the typical format and language of tabloids - short, clear articles, human-interest angles, and emotive language.
• Note the use of puns, alliteration and colloquialism in headlines to capture attention and connect with readers.
• Understand the impact of imagery, which tabloids often use in a more sensational manner than broadsheets.

Semiotics in Tabloids

• Recognise the role of semiotics in tabloid story-telling - the study of signs and symbols, and their interpretation.
• Images, colours, headlines, and language choices all carry specific meanings tailored to the tabloid’s target readership.
• Be able to critically analyse these signs to uncover deeper messages or ideologies inherent in the content.

Impact of Tabloids on Audience

• Understand that the way tabloids communicate news can significantly influence public opinion and perception.
• Consider how the balance of human interest stories and hard news might affect readers’ understanding of events.
• Be aware of the sometimes controversial but undeniably impactful role tabloids play in shaping societal discourse and attitudes.

Analysing Tabloids

• When analysing a tabloid article, consider its overall message, target demographic and use of language and imagery.
• Reflect on the underlying representations or stereotypes that the article might be propagating.
• Always attempt to link the tabloid’s content back to broader cultural, societal or political contexts, evaluating the potential impacts of its reporting and representation.