Media Language in Newspapers

Terminology

Headline: The main title given to the news story which is mostly sensationalised and in bold to attract reader’s attention.
Byline: This usually refers to the name and title of the author of the news piece.
Lead: The introductory part of a news story that usually summarises its main points.
Inverted Pyramid: This is a standard news writing format where the most important facts are at the beginning, tapering down to the least significant.
Caption: Brief text under a photograph or illustration providing information or details.

Photography: The choice of image or photo can heavily impact the reader’s perception: a photograph showing a politician in an unflattering light might convey a negative impression of them.
Layout and Design: The arrangement of text and images on a page plays an essential role in engaging the reader’s attention. Important stories get prime positioning.
Graphics and Charts: Used to explain and visualise complex data, such as election results or economic trends, making it easier for the reader to understand.
Typography: The use of different fonts, sizes, and boldness can all change the reading experience and highlight the importance of particular stories or sections.

Keywords: Words that carry significant weight in conveying the meaning of the news piece.
Emotive Language: Evoking certain emotions in the reader for influence, this language can make the reader sympathise with or criticise a person or event.
Rhetorical Questions: Often used to engage the reader, make them think, or imply an answer without explicitly stating it.
Hyperbole: Exaggeration used to emphasise a point or create a sensational effect.

Positive/Negative: News stories often carry positive or negative connotations that influence how the reader perceives the subject at hand.
Neutral: Some articles aim to present a balanced view, using neutral language and avoiding overtly positive or negative terms.
Propaganda: Enforced ideas and information that influence the reader’s perception, often for political purposes. It can be achieved subtly through headline choice, photography, or biased language.