Front page

• how is the page split?

  it's split between political stories and a plug promoting Times2, the lifestyle supplement of the paper which in this instance features an article on fitness and a personal story about being bitten by a puppy
• how is the Times typically laid out?

  in the style of a broadsheet

  usually has an image which is sometimes a stand alone, a main story, a secondary story, and a plug.

  there is often an 'in the news' section at the bottom of the page with jump lines linked to the main inside stories.
• describe the masthead

  bold and recognisable which signifies the ideology of the paper suggesting that it reports and reflects upon the issues of the time.

  the typography chosen is strong and commands the front page, it's usually either side of the crest and logo.
• what is the significance of the slogan and crests?

  the lion and the unicorn are symbols appearing on heraldic crests and the slogan dates back to King Richard 1st

  the fact that this has remained unchanged by the newspaper suggests that they intend to reinforce their longevity and traditional values?
• what does the headline and subheading suggest?

  The headline ‘Police investigate PM’s four lockdown parties’ is informative rather than dramatic and enigmatic.

  The same is true of the sub-heading ‘Gray criticises leadership and drinking culture’. However, there is subtle, implicit criticism through the selection and use of language, for example including the number ‘four’ and choosing the specific aspect of the report that comments on a ‘drinking culture’.
• why are the pull quotes used?

  the pull quotes accompany the central image and are direct quotations from Sue Gray’s report, denoted by the large quotation mark to emphasise their importance. Positioning them in white on the black background gives them prominence and means that they function as an anchor for the image of the Prime Minister
• how is the central image used?

  The central image is a close-up photograph of Boris Johnson with an indirect mode of address. His code of expression shows some trepidation of what is to come as he goes to the Commons. The newspaper has selected this photograph to suggest that he does have questions to answer, whilst not explicitly criticising him.
• what is the purpose of the caption?

  The caption is long and gives information based on facts, placing the photograph in a context rather than taking an active stance. This is a typical convention of this style of newspaper.
• what tone is the language and mode of address?

  formal
• what do the subheadings imply?

  the subheadings are not generally used to split up the stories into sections, suggesting that the readers are comfortable with detailed information and analysis. There is a sub-heading ‘The Times Verdict’ with jump lines to the analysis of the story on the inner pages, establishing the newspaper as an opinion leader.
• how is the plug constructed?

  The plug is constructed differently, using a bright colour palette to differentiate between the serious and lighter elements of the newspaper’s content.
• what theory can you apply to the front page?

  Structuralism by Levi Strauss
• what is Strauss' Structuralism theory?

  A theoretical perspective that focuses on the underlying structures and patterns in media products, such as the use of language and visual elements to convey meaning.
• how can the structuralism theory be applied to the Times?

  The Times demonstrates less explicit political allegiance compared to a tabloid publication and therefore may offer more than one viewpoint on an issue. The resolution of oppositions may only be evident and more explicit in something such as an editorial or an opinion piece, where the political allegiance of the paper may be more obvious.