Newspaper: The times- Language and audience

 Language

1) What is the main story on the front cover of the Times CSP edition (26 April 2019) and why does it appeal to Times readers?

The main story on the front cover of the Times is “Fee paying schools 'save taxpayer £20 billion” as well as “Calls for criminal enquiry as top ministers deny security leak” this appeals to Times readers as they're more interested in reading Hard news covering all things politics, finance, business. 

2) List the other news stories and kickers on the front page of the Times CSP edition. Why do you think the Times selected these for the front page?

• "Bedroom secrets: How to create a restful haven"
  
• "Know your Thor from your Iron Man - Marvel beginners guide"

These kickers portray that the TA of the Times has disposable income where they can spend their money on their home and bedroom. The Marvel beginners guide suggest such upper class wealthy members aren't used to such mainstream entertainment, they would be more interested in theatre or opera. 

3) What are the main stories on the inside pages of the Times CSP edition and how are they constructed to appeal to Times readers? 

• "Royal Anzac Day on both sides of the world"
• "How death of grandmother put fear into Henry VIII"
• "Sri Lanka tourists warned of more terror"                    

Here in the main stories the Royal family is portrayed as more formal. The story on Henry VIII shows that the Times readers have a strong interest in British history. The Sri Lanka story suggest that the Times readers can afford exotic holidays therefore need to be informed of international affairs before going there on holiday. 

4) Which of Galtung and Ruge's News Values apply to the Times's front page stories? Write about both the main story on private schools and the government leak enquiry. 

Goverment leak enquiry: Immediacy, Amplitude, Elite nations and people and Negativity. Has happened recently which involves the whole government in the UK and is bad news as it's a security leak in the British Goverment. 

Private Schools: Familarity, Elite nations, Balance. Familarity as everyone is familiar with private schools, boarding schools etc in the UK, Elite nations as it supposedly saves the Goverment money and acts as though of a balance between the 2 news stories as the Goverment leak enquiry is negative news and this news story almost acts as a more uplifting tone as it aids the goverment.

5) What does a close analysis of the news stories in the Times CSP edition suggest about the Times's political beliefs?

The Times tends to target a more older audience and more traditional as well as are biased towards their conservative views as they care about private schools, goverment issues and tax paying. 

Audience

1) What is the main readership demographic for The Times newspaper? Add as much detail as you can.

Older, traditional aged 55+ in the ABC1 social classes and are most likely to be in the succeeder psychographic group. Times readers most likely to be professionals,mangers or company owners. 

2) What aspects of the front page of the Times CSP edition suggest that their readers are likely to be more educated and interested in hard news rather than entertainment?

On the Times there is much more writing and less images, advanced language, hard news topics such as politics, Royal Family, Private schools etc. which dominate the front page whereas the "Marvel Beginners Guide" is very small and in the corner of the front page again reinforcing the idea that entertainment is less focused on. 

3) Times readers are mostly over 55 years old. Why is this and how is this reflected by the new stories and kickers in the CSP pages we have studied?  

The "Sleep well" story portrays how older generations may have issues with health therefore a guide on how to get proper sleep may be to improve their health as well as the kickers "Bedroom secrets" reinforces the idea that retired members of the public have disposable income and can spend money on decoration as well as the kicker "Marvel Beginners Guide" highlights how Times readers like more highbrow entertainment such as theatre/opera therefore are new to mainstream entertainment.

4) What is the main audience pleasure offered by the Times? Use Blumler & Katz Uses and Gratifications theory.

Surveillance/Information: Find out what's going on in the world around us: British politics, Royal Family, Fee-paying schools- education is important to target audience. 

Diversion/Entertainment: Info about royals life almost enteratains Times readers to know about their lives, access to cultural "hotspots" for leisure and house tips- targets people with disposable income. 

Personal Identity: The Times newspaper seems to endorse the Conservative party therefore most of their readers would agree with their viewpoints. 

5) Why might a reader enjoy this CSP edition of the Times? Use Blumler & Katz Uses and Gratifications theory categories and write as detailed an analysis as you can.

A reader may enjoy this CSP edition of the Times as it includes the Royal Family who play a massive role in Britain and may be idolise by the readers of the Times. The news story on private schools signifies how most readers are able to relate due to their wealth reinforcing the idea they all send their children to private schools/boarding schools. The kicker "bedroom secrets" may also be helpful to the readers of the Times as they may have disposable income to decorate their homes. As well as the story on sleeping well may be appreciated for all the 66+ members of the Times readers who may be struggling with insommnia.