Ancillaries

A2 Media Studies - Local Newspaper - Ancillary - Radio Advertisements from rumelrahman

After spending lots of time researching billboards and posters advertising newspapers (online and physical) I have discovered the common features they all contain. Billboards are large outdoor advertisements, that are displayed on the side of large buildings or displayed near high-traffic areas, such as busy roads.

This is an example of a billboard near a road, promoting a (The Sun) newspaper. It is featured with colours that are frequently used in their newspaper, this is done so the reader can relate the colours and quickly know what the ad is regarding. This particular billboard uses a pun for humour, when researching billboards, I discovered the majority of them have witty slogans, or clever word plays, this is done to create a memorable impression on the reader. And as they are displayed near the side of buildings and roads, they are usually read very quickly, due to this the text is usually in a contrasting font compared to the background, which makes it stand out from a far. For my billboard I will make sure to use a witty slogan, and colours that stand out.

 The editors for this 'The Times' billboard, has had a very different approach to designing it compared to The Sun's billboard. The Sun billboard is very minimalistic as it doesn't contain important information regarding the newspaper, except for its logo, where as The Times billboard features information such as where to find the newspaper and which platform it can be shown on. The image on the The Times billboard is of an eagle with its wings spread, in the centre. This image may have been used as eagles have connotations of power and dominance, which The Times may seem them self as. Birds in general also have connotations of the all-seeing and all-knowing, which maybe a message The Times is trying to convey.

As I am going to be creating a realistic billboard for my paper, I will be using some of the features I have discovered in my research. 

Story Structure - Inverted Pyramid Model

A2 Media Studies - Local Newspaper - Story Structure - Inverted Pyramid Model from rumelrahman

The inverted pyramid model is used for a number of reasons. As the first paragraph gives the most important information of the article, readers will be able to know immediately what the text entails. Another reason it is used, is for the readers pleasure. Separating each part of the story into segments allows readers to scan-read the text and find bits which intrigues them the most. Another important reason this model is used very often, is because the majority of articles written need to be shortened and having the least important and relevant information at the bottom, allows them to quickly cut bits off that is not needed.

Positioning of Stories

From my in-depth research into how newspapers position their stories I have noticed a number of conventions. One very important convention is ordering their most important stories to least important stories. A convention which is done to immediately grab the readers attention. However, a number of tabloid newspapers such as The Sun and The Daily Mail often get criticism for having not so important stories as their main article, and 'important' stories somewhere within the paper. On the front page the main story will usually have a brief description on what it entails, and a few opening paragraphs, which is then followed by jump-line in order for readers to quickly navigate to their chosen article if wished to carry on reading.

The middle proportion will usually feature text which are deemed to be less important, This will include small events.

The back section of a newspaper will include leisure texts such as sports, horoscopes, word-searchers and crossword puzzles, which are merely placed there for readers pleasure.

Local Newspaper Story Conventions

What do these stories have in common?

- Stories 3, 9, 11 and 12 are all negative stories that are reporting crimes which have either happened in the past or they are on-going stories and the local police need the residents assistance.

- Stories 1, 4,10 and 2 are articles that are informing readers on information they deem to be relevant. examples - Road closures, school closures.

 - Stories 5, 7 and 8 are are articles the writers deem to be entertaining to the readers, that are not entirely important.

Number	Headline	Story Summary	Who is interested/why?
1	‘Bomb squad called and Bristol school evacuated after explosive chemical discovered in science lab’	A small amount of picric acid was found in the bottom of a test tube in a school’s store room. Fire, police and the Army’s EOD bomb disposal squad was called to the scene, which cordoned off and evacuated the streets surrounding the school.	Local residents may be interested in knowing further information into the scene, they may also want to know if any new developments have occurred (i.e streets being re-opened). Pupil’s and the pupil’s parents of the school would be interested in knowing if their school is safe, if the area is safe, and finding out any new leads. As this is a fairly serious event, local and/or national government may be interested as they may look to find ways of preventing incidents like this happening again.
2	‘Watch driver filmed 'playing chicken' with cyclist and bus on busy roundabout near Bristol’	A clip displaying a driver performing dangerous manoeuvres (overtaking) on a main road near a roundabout.	As the headline is reasonably witty, a fairly younger audience may be intrigued. Also residents who drive the road maybe interested.
3	‘Man charged following Portishead cricket club burglary’	A man has been charged with stealing alcohol and a till from a cricket club.	As Portishead is directly mentioned in the headline, residents maybe intrigued to read on. People who know the club would be intrigued as it may be shocking news to them.
4	‘Water repairs to affect Yatton High Street’	Due to Wessex Water making repairs to the sewerage network, temporary traffic lights will be put in place on the High Street.	Residents of Yatton who travel to the High Street, as it will affect their traveling. Residents who the sewerage repairs concerns, as they may want to know updates.
5	‘Kayne West and Kim Kardashian are coming to Bristol's Galleries...sort of!’	A new store in Bristol is selling Kim Kardashian and Kayne Scented Drawer Liners.	As the headline names two very famous people in pop culture, a younger audience is going to be drawn in, plus people who may not be a fan, but people who are aware of who they are would be intrigued as it is very shocking two globally known people would visit a small city.

6	‘Shocking: Bristol's iconic Browns serves WORST dessert of the year, says food critic Mark Taylor’	A food critic visited a restaurant in Bristol and deemed the dessert to be the worst dessert he has ever had.	Bristol residents who enjoy going out for meals as it may affect the places they visit. People who have already visited the Browns restaurant will be intrigued as they may personally challenge the article or agree.
7	‘Bristol students forced to cancel chav-themed night over complaints they're mocking working class’	The Bristol University Cheerleading Society cancelled their show after other students complained they were mocking the working class.	Bristol University students will be intrigued by this article and they may actively search for it in order to find extra information on the situation. Undergraduates who are researching uni’s may discover this article upon a quick search.
8	‘Would you pay more than £1m to live in one of Bristol's latest new penthouses?’	New penthouses in Bristol have just been put on the market.	Wealthy individuals who may be looking for property will be intrigued by this news. Other people may be ordinary residents who will be attracted to read the story as the headline is interrogative and engaging.
9	‘Woman wanted by police after Bristol pub assault’	A women was involved in an assault and the police are asking the people of Bristol to help identify her.	People who have connection to the pub may be interested in this story as they may want to know if there is any new info. Residents of Bristol will also be interested in this story as its one that is still present and some people may want to see the picture of the wanted individual for safety.
10	‘How did secondary schools in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset do in GCSEs 2016?’	This article contains information on how each individual school in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset performed on GCSEs.	Parents who are looking to enrol their children into secondary school, will be interested in this article. Parents whose children just took their GCSEs will be interested, as they can compare their schools performance to others.
11	‘Aerospace engineer from Bristol who rigged up spy cams to film teenage girl having sex is jailed’	A man has pleaded guilty to 6 charges of taking indecent photos of children and a charge of having extreme pornography.	People of Bristol will be intrigued as they may want to make sure they’re safe. And in particular adults with children.
12	‘Burglars take gold and large amount of cash from Bristol home in broad daylight’	A house in Fishponds, was broken into, and the thief sole gold and other valuables.	People who are located near the area will be intrigued as they may want further information on the incident.