the times - media language & representation

what does the masthead connote?

• that the newspaper will show us what is happening in the world today

• serif font - indicates old-fashioned traditionality

what does the logo have connotations of?

history, tradition, royalty & British identify

what does allowing an image to partially cover the masthead show?

the newspaper is well recognised

what does the question ‘How to be fit?’ do?

• engage the audience and is relatable as it encourages doing the bare minimum

• binary opposition with an image of a woman sitting & yawning

what does the ‘I was bitten by a pandemic puppy’ story do?

reflect the context of the time

what does the main image do?

it is large and bold to engage the audience but there is still a lot of small copy that reflects the educated audience of the newspaper

what does the close up of Boris Johnson do?

• unflattering

• scrunched up face - shame or afraid of the future - breeds sympathy

• suit - indicates power, dominance & wealth

what are the pull quotes at the top of the image?

• ‘failures of leadership & judgement' by different parts of Number 10’ - sue gray

• anchor the meaning of the image

• suggests newspaper is making a judgement about boris that he has failed the country

what is the political allegiance of the times?

neutral/right-leaning centralist

what does taking the step to represent boris as a failed leader show?

• indicates the gravity of the situation and reflects the anger of the audience

• want to appeal to the overwhelming public opinion

what does the use of ellipses at the end of Sue Gray’s quote indicate?

suggests there is more to come

what does the mention of the police in the headline show?

the significance of the incident

what does the use of the number 4 emphasise?

how many times the law was broken - focus continued underneath where the audience is informed that the detectives are examining hundreds of photos - facts & stats

what does the use of ‘verdict’ position the times as?

holding an important opinion to be listened to as it reflects the terminology used by a judge in a court of law

what does the article include?

quotes & opinions from a range of perspectives which makes it seem like all the political parties are shocked & not just the obvious opposition of Labour

what does the phrase ‘drinking culture’ connote?

negative connotations with irresponsibility and contrasts the expected norms of politicians as it is more associated with working-class backgrounds and makes it seem like the conservatives are not doing their job

what are the other stories on the front cover?

• story about migrant crossing - sticks to facts not opinions

• small stories with jump hooks

why is there a formal mode of address throughout the newspaper?

makes the newspaper seem serious and reflects that it is a broadsheet