Newspaper Terminology

Anchorage	Fixing the meaning of an image or images with a caption or other words like the headline. It is to try to reduce the polysemic nature of texts.
Byline	The line above or to the side of the story, which gives the author’s name and sometimes their job and location
Body text/ Copy	Also known as copy. Written material that makes up the main part of an article.
Caption	Brief text underneath an image describing the photograph or graphic.
Column width	How much space is taken up in a paper by particular things i.e. the written copy or images etc.
Cropping	Cropping out elements in Photoshop or physically, from a photograph. This is important as it can encourage particular readings or interpretations.
Headline	A phrase that summarises the main point of the article. Usually in large print and a different style to catch the attention of the reader.
House style	Is a term used to describe the rules laid down by an organisation to ensure that they have a consistent presentation style e.g. in written communications and documents
Juxtaposition	The placing of two images or elements next to one another to create a particular meaning.
Masthead	The name (and the typography of that title) of the newspaper displayed on the front page
Partiality	Where the paper has a political leaning in a particular direction or where it is particularly favouring one perspective/viewpoint
Plug	A recommendation or other favourable mention of a product, show, news story, etc.
Pull quote	Something taken from within an article, usually said by the person in the main image.
Skyline	An information panel on the front page that tells the reader about other stories in the paper to tempt them inside.
Stand alone	Picture story that can exist on its own or on a front page leading to a story inside.
Stand first	Block of text that introduces the story, normally in a different style to the body text and headline.
Subjective	Where a paper is opinionated rather than just giving the facts
Strapline/Tagline	Slogan that sums up the essence of the paper e.g. The Daily Mirror’s is ‘Fighting for You’
Typography	The style of writing i.e. the fonts used – in graphic design it is called typography. Serifed typefaces have little tails on the letters e.g. Times New Roman but sans serif (without serifs) typefaces, do not e.g. Calibri (sometimes UPPERCASE typefaces are sans serif.