Yorkshire Post-Semiotic Analysis (Front page)

10th September 2010 Newspaper


The Yorkshire Post’s front page consists of the typical generic conventions of a barcode, price, date, website and masthead which help the audience identify the information they want from the regional paper. The layout of the paper is the same as a local newspaper with the use of the above conventions although it is a lot more spacious than a local paper. My opinion of this is because the front page features less stories and more photographs as well as the fact the masthead does not have a colour background like local papers which tend to help distinguish local and regional papers. The fact that the Yorkshire post calls itself ‘Yorkshire National Newspaper’ makes the audience feel like this is the only paper for them and rather comfortable as it not a direct statement at them /

On the front page there are a total of three main articles and four that are told briefly that could be seen as a lure as they carry on further into the paper. The main headline ‘Cuts crisis museums may start selective charging’ is in bold using Times New Roman font (approx 48) as the font is a classic newspaper font which connotes to the audience that the paper is traditional and recognisable. I also find it unusual as the main headline is featured at the left hand side, although it is placed there is still is the first part of the newspaper the audience focus on a it takes up the most space and because of the large font and use of bold. This intention also makes the audience read the paper from left to right and denotes a more organised feel.

‘Cuts crisis museums may start selective charging’ consist of fourteen paragraphs and an average of twenty words per sentence making the audience aware of the amount of detail the story is giving as well as hype about its importance the journalist is trying to get across. The fact that the photograph is only 4cm by 2 cm also connotes the significance of the amount of detail, as the newspaper wants all the audiences’ attention on the information. The article is also giving the audience more specific information by the use of the table which helps break the feature down by having this use of quick facts and makes the section more alluring to read if the reader is in a rush.

The two other articles are divided up by the use of lines giving the page a more planned and formal look making the page easier to read as well as relaxing the reader as there is not too much going on. The article ‘RESCUE DRAMA: Retired social worker jumps to save babies’ is made up of thirteen short articles and gives direct and quick information as there is on average two sentences per paragraph, I believe this is because the story is Human interest and the journalist wants to stick to the more positive point rather than give the viewer a lot of information .The fact that ‘RESCUE DRAMA’ is in capitals and is highlighted in red draws the reader in as a matter or urgency but the story gives more a relief feel when reading ,cleverly showing how the use of capitals and colour is vital into grabbing the viewer attention .The article is also highlighted as an exclusive which again grabs the audiences interest .

Although the headline ‘RESCUE DRAMA: Retired social worker jumps to save babies’ speaks urgency, the photograph speaks heroism. Furthermore this is shown by the women’s pose and the use of the low angles shot which reveals the background of where the incident took place .This gives the viewer a feel for where the occurrence took place, and gives them a real sense for the story.

Four small articles are places at the bottom of the page and are giving in briefly which I find useful if you only want a snippet of the information and do not however want to read the article in full on the further pages. These small articles are approximately two to three sentences long with just two paragraphs that are only providing the most useful information of Who? What? When? Where and Why? The length of the sentences and paragraph could connote that there audience are busy everyday people that do not have a lot of time to read the paper back to front and that they are doing them a favour by providing the information quickly and to the point.

An advert is also featured of the front cover, breaking down the amount of news the bulletin is giving and helping promote to the audience a local business again which could connote the above point about the Yorkshire Post’s indented audience. The advert is placed in yellow and in a completely different font (TempUS Sans ITC) which helps notify the audience that this is not part of the news bulletin.

The Yorkshire Post’s front cover also has the daily weather featured which is helpful if the public that have not had time to catch the forecast and makes the paper more personal to the area of Yorkshire adding to the belief that inside the paper there will be more useful information that is up to date . The fact the weather is featured right at the bottom of the page and is 3cm by 3cm means it is a rather small and doesn’t take the initial intention of the newspaper and that are the articles are the main features.

In addition to this the index is also featured on the front page, which is rather unusual but quite a helpful aspect as you don’t have to flick the page over to look for it and go straight to the area you are interested in .It also shows the public what the paper has inside making it a quicker option when they are purchasing the paper. Information on who to contact is alongside this for if the public would like to get in touch, this is again helpful as of where it is placed.

Overall the Yorkshire post tends to the audiences needs by presenting articles and other information’s such as the index and weather directly and quickly although this could be down to the fact that the paper is daily and in fact do not have a lot of time to elaborate. Furthermore like local newspaper the Yorkshire post sticks to its house style keeping the paper in cohesion and structured making it work well, keeping the attention on the articles. I feel the layout work well and I prefer how they have the index and contact information on the front as it is easily accessible. The fact that the photographs are more varied in their composition and size makes the paper look more professional to and the aspect of the visual aid makes the stories of human interest more relatable. However what I did find usual was how the top of the page above the masthead was rather blank, making the paper look a bit boring and not worth a daily price of 53p.It also makes the paper look out of balance as there is a lot of information at the bottom, which I feel local newspaper do better when using their layout more appropriately.