Daily Mirror: Language and Audience

 Language

1) Write the definition of the following key language for newspaper front pages:

Masthead: The title block of the newspaper 'Red Top'

Pug: Something to catch the readers eye

Splash Head: The lead story 

Slogan: Sums up ethos of newspaper 

Dateline: The date the newspaper is published 

Kicker: Story at the top of the paper 

Byline: Gives the name of the article writer 

Standfirst: Introductory paragraph usually in bold 

 2) How much does a copy of the Daily Mirror cost?

80p

3) What are the main stories on the CSP edition of the Daily Mirror (see above)?

• The new Bond movie 
• Measles epidemic fear 
• The royal family

4) Why is the choice of news stories on the Mirror CSP front page typical of a tabloid newspaper?

Because the tabloid usually features soft news which is celebrity gossip, the royal family and sports.

 

5) What is the balance on the Daily Mirror front page between images, headlines and text?

There are more pictures than text. This is because it is aimed at a working to middle class audience.

Audience

1) What is the target audience for the Daily Mirror?

The target audience for the Daily Mirror is working to middle class people (C2,D,E)

2) Why does the Mirror front page story appeal to the Daily Mirror audience?

The front page appeals to the target audience as it is mainly about the royal family which the audience would enjoy as it is a big part of the nation and if some of the audience are patriotic, then they would think the royal family is amazing. 

3) Why might a reader enjoy the Daily Mirror? Use Blumler & Katz Uses and Gratifications theory to add detail to your answer.

An audience would enjoy reading the Daily Mirror as:

Personal identity - The royal family are having a row so the audience can relate it as it seems like one of their family rows.

Personal relationship - The audience feel like they know the royal family. 

                                   - 'Wills' 'Harry' ' Kate' - informal and friendly 

                                   - Royal family get lots of media courage. Particularly in tabloids.

                                   - Appeal to Mirror audience - Old + working class 

                                   - Traditional 

                                   - Patriotic

4) Why are print newspapers generally read by older audiences?

  

Print newspapers are generally read by older age groups (55+) as they don't use the technology whilst the younger audience go online to see their news.

5) How is the 'Wills and Harry royal rift' story on the double page spread constructed to appeal to Daily Mirror readers? 

The royal family news usually is printed on tabloids as it is less serious and is enjoying for older audiences as it is traditional.  

Grade 8/9 extension tasks

Read this Guardian column on the Mirror's struggles with covering Brexit. How did the Mirror suggest people vote in the EU referendum and how did many of its working class audience actually vote?

Guardian Media critic Roy Greenslade writes about why tabloid newspapers like the Mirror are struggling to attract younger readers in this column. Make a note of some of the key statistics in this article and also what Greenslade thinks tabloids should do to stay relevant in the digital age. This column also has an excellent discussion of the Mirror's political stance which is ideal to grade 9 answers.

The Daily express lost more  than 9%, although the Daily Mails annual loss was only 7%.