NEWSPAPERS REP
Revision Guide: Daily Mirror Front Cover & Article (1.2.22)
Key Text Details:
● Newspaper: Daily Mirror
● Date: 1st February 2022
● Set Text Component: Front Cover and Double Page Spread Article
● Relevance: Examined for Educas A Level Media Studies from 2024.
1. Media Language
Media language refers to the ways in which the Daily Mirror constructs meaning and communicates its
message.
● Masthead & Strap Line:
○ The masthead "Daily Mirror" suggests the newspaper reflects the day's events
accurately.
○ The strap line "The Heart of Britain" implies the newspaper is central and important
to the country.
● Tabloid Conventions:
○ The front cover is typically a giant image with very large headlines and minimal text
(copy).
○ This layout is conventional for a tabloid newspaper.
○ Large images and big, bold headlines (often in sans serif fonts) are used to engage
audiences and are eye-catching.
○ Minimal copy is intended to appeal to readers with potentially low literacy levels,
making stories easy to understand.
● Imagery:
○ Queen Elizabeth II (Front Cover Top): An old photo is used, representing her as a
long-standing institution and highlighting the history of the monarchy. She is shown
in traditional, embellished attire with jewels, representing her as wealthy, upper
class, and potentially offering an escapist fantasy.
○ King George (Front Cover Top Right): Image included to further emphasise the
tradition and history of the monarchy. He is wearing a suit and tie, representing men
as powerful and dominant.
○ Boris Johnson (Front Cover): Very large image makes him seem very important.
He wears a suit and tie, usually associated with being wealthy, classy, successful,
and powerful. However, he looks dishevelled, not proud, and seems to be smirking
or defiant, representing him as perhaps unapologetic.
○ Kier Starmer (Front Cover Bottom Left): Wearing a suit and tie, representing men
as powerful and dominant.
○ Boris Johnson (Double Page Spread - Small Box): Shown drinking champagne,
which is juxtaposed against the main image.
○ NHS Workers (Double Page Spread - Main Image): Shown in PPE gear (masks,
visors, gloves), representing them as working hard to save lives. They are treating
a Covid victim in critical care, highlighting their difficult and important job.
● Headlines and Language:
○ "ZERO SHAME" (Front Cover Headline): A large headline that anchors the
meaning of Boris Johnson's image, suggesting he should feel shame but doesn't.
, This use of quite biased language (calling him "shameless") creates a negative
representation.
○ Words like "snubbed" and "brashly responding" are used with negative
connotations to represent Boris Johnson as having done something wrong and not
deserving respect.
○ "A stain on our great nation" is used in smaller articles, using negative
connotations ("stain") to make Boris Johnson and the Conservatives seem "dirty" and
as though they have ruined the country.
● Use of Facts and Numbers:
○ The headline includes specific numbers like "12 parties, three attended, one in his
own flat, 300 pictures".
○ These numbers make the article persuasive and emphasise the large amount of
evidence against Boris Johnson and the Conservatives.
● Ellipsis:
○ The use of "..." at the end of the phrase "300 pictures handed over..." implies that
despite the evidence, nothing has happened and no apology has been given. This
emphasises the Daily Mirror's expectation and desire for an apology.
● Satire:
○ A satirical political meme featuring Vladimir Putin is included, suggesting that Boris
Johnson is so bad that even Putin doesn't want to be associated with him. This uses
humour and edited graphics to emphasise negative aspects of Boris Johnson.
2. Representation
Representation refers to how people, groups, and ideas are portrayed in the Daily Mirror.
● The Monarchy:
○ Represented as a long-standing institution full of tradition and history,
emphasised by using old photos of the Queen and King George.
○ The Queen is also represented as very wealthy and upper class through her attire.
● Boris Johnson:
○ Consistently represented in a negative fashion.
○ Portrayed as shameless, dishevelled, unapologetic, defiant, and not deserving
respect.
○ Seen as the "villain" in the narrative, contrasted with the public and NHS workers.
○ Represented as not very hard working and just "enjoying the high life" when
contrasted with NHS workers.
● Kier Starmer:
○ Represented as a "man of the people" and similar to the newspaper's readers.
○ Uses inclusive language like "our response to Covid," "we were tested," "we stood
up," "we weren't able to visit elderly relatives," "many of us missed funerals and
births" to make readers feel part of his group.
● The British Public:
○ Represented as diligent and "sticking to the rules" during lockdown, contrasting
with Boris Johnson's actions.
○ Flattered with phrases like "the british people aren't fools," representing them as
good people.
○ Seen as "protagonists" or "victims" in the narrative, having done their best and
struggled during the pandemic.
○ Opinion pieces from real people (often working-class, diverse backgrounds) are
used to represent the general public as being against Boris Johnson.
Revision Guide: Daily Mirror Front Cover & Article (1.2.22)
Key Text Details:
● Newspaper: Daily Mirror
● Date: 1st February 2022
● Set Text Component: Front Cover and Double Page Spread Article
● Relevance: Examined for Educas A Level Media Studies from 2024.
1. Media Language
Media language refers to the ways in which the Daily Mirror constructs meaning and communicates its
message.
● Masthead & Strap Line:
○ The masthead "Daily Mirror" suggests the newspaper reflects the day's events
accurately.
○ The strap line "The Heart of Britain" implies the newspaper is central and important
to the country.
● Tabloid Conventions:
○ The front cover is typically a giant image with very large headlines and minimal text
(copy).
○ This layout is conventional for a tabloid newspaper.
○ Large images and big, bold headlines (often in sans serif fonts) are used to engage
audiences and are eye-catching.
○ Minimal copy is intended to appeal to readers with potentially low literacy levels,
making stories easy to understand.
● Imagery:
○ Queen Elizabeth II (Front Cover Top): An old photo is used, representing her as a
long-standing institution and highlighting the history of the monarchy. She is shown
in traditional, embellished attire with jewels, representing her as wealthy, upper
class, and potentially offering an escapist fantasy.
○ King George (Front Cover Top Right): Image included to further emphasise the
tradition and history of the monarchy. He is wearing a suit and tie, representing men
as powerful and dominant.
○ Boris Johnson (Front Cover): Very large image makes him seem very important.
He wears a suit and tie, usually associated with being wealthy, classy, successful,
and powerful. However, he looks dishevelled, not proud, and seems to be smirking
or defiant, representing him as perhaps unapologetic.
○ Kier Starmer (Front Cover Bottom Left): Wearing a suit and tie, representing men
as powerful and dominant.
○ Boris Johnson (Double Page Spread - Small Box): Shown drinking champagne,
which is juxtaposed against the main image.
○ NHS Workers (Double Page Spread - Main Image): Shown in PPE gear (masks,
visors, gloves), representing them as working hard to save lives. They are treating
a Covid victim in critical care, highlighting their difficult and important job.
● Headlines and Language:
○ "ZERO SHAME" (Front Cover Headline): A large headline that anchors the
meaning of Boris Johnson's image, suggesting he should feel shame but doesn't.
, This use of quite biased language (calling him "shameless") creates a negative
representation.
○ Words like "snubbed" and "brashly responding" are used with negative
connotations to represent Boris Johnson as having done something wrong and not
deserving respect.
○ "A stain on our great nation" is used in smaller articles, using negative
connotations ("stain") to make Boris Johnson and the Conservatives seem "dirty" and
as though they have ruined the country.
● Use of Facts and Numbers:
○ The headline includes specific numbers like "12 parties, three attended, one in his
own flat, 300 pictures".
○ These numbers make the article persuasive and emphasise the large amount of
evidence against Boris Johnson and the Conservatives.
● Ellipsis:
○ The use of "..." at the end of the phrase "300 pictures handed over..." implies that
despite the evidence, nothing has happened and no apology has been given. This
emphasises the Daily Mirror's expectation and desire for an apology.
● Satire:
○ A satirical political meme featuring Vladimir Putin is included, suggesting that Boris
Johnson is so bad that even Putin doesn't want to be associated with him. This uses
humour and edited graphics to emphasise negative aspects of Boris Johnson.
2. Representation
Representation refers to how people, groups, and ideas are portrayed in the Daily Mirror.
● The Monarchy:
○ Represented as a long-standing institution full of tradition and history,
emphasised by using old photos of the Queen and King George.
○ The Queen is also represented as very wealthy and upper class through her attire.
● Boris Johnson:
○ Consistently represented in a negative fashion.
○ Portrayed as shameless, dishevelled, unapologetic, defiant, and not deserving
respect.
○ Seen as the "villain" in the narrative, contrasted with the public and NHS workers.
○ Represented as not very hard working and just "enjoying the high life" when
contrasted with NHS workers.
● Kier Starmer:
○ Represented as a "man of the people" and similar to the newspaper's readers.
○ Uses inclusive language like "our response to Covid," "we were tested," "we stood
up," "we weren't able to visit elderly relatives," "many of us missed funerals and
births" to make readers feel part of his group.
● The British Public:
○ Represented as diligent and "sticking to the rules" during lockdown, contrasting
with Boris Johnson's actions.
○ Flattered with phrases like "the british people aren't fools," representing them as
good people.
○ Seen as "protagonists" or "victims" in the narrative, having done their best and
struggled during the pandemic.
○ Opinion pieces from real people (often working-class, diverse backgrounds) are
used to represent the general public as being against Boris Johnson.
