Double Page Deconstruction

Below is a typical double page spread in The Sun on a celebrity scandal. This is the typical layout of a two page feature and I have deconstructed the codes and conventions of this piece and also further boxed up the elements of the article to highlight the space dedication and priorities within the article.

Below is a spacial deconstruction of the same article; through the use of boxes it is evident to one what The Sun's priorities are with reference to space dedication.

1.   Small article

2.   Limited article on a local/regional level 

3.   Further images integrated and layered on top of the main, focal image 

4.   Promotional offer/voucher 

5.   Pre-headline, caption for the story

6.   Caption for the main picture 

7.   The Sun logo, page number, date and website designed into the horizontal header

8.   Main picture, three quarters space dedication

9.   Headline layered over the image

10. Article text, limited and organised into collumns 

11. Smaller images embodied in the text

Front Cover Space Dedication

After purchasing a copy of The Sun newspaper, I photocopied the front cover and below I have highlighted the generic format and smapce dedication of a similar celebrity scandal. The features boxed up below must be incorporated into my replica and the space dedication on this particular front cover highlights how image-dominated a scandal is.

1. LOGO: Positioned in the top left corner, includes newspaper price, website, date and Olympic games countdown.

2. FEATURE: Promotional offer, usually relates to a discount from a family store or some sort of wholesome, family orientated reduction that would appeal to the majority of the broad target audience.

3. COLOURED PRE-HEADING: Red font, grabs the audience's attention and claims a 'Picture Exclusive' which adds further drama and photgraphed evidence to the scandal.

4. SUB-HEADING/POINTS: Very briefly gives the reader a short outline of the event/scandal, a development from the one word headline.

5. ARTICLE: A preview of an article - usually relates to politics, war or a broader worldwide event. Heavier news, yet reduced in space priority in comparison to the celebrity scandal.

6. IMAGE: Dominates the page, text and headlines layered over the top. Figures in the image are caught off guard and tends to have a paparazzi-esque feel.

7. HEADLINE: One descriptive word to set the tone for the article. Covers the width of the image and is the largest font on the page

8. ARTICLE 2: Smaller in size but more light-hearted or real life based. Based on an unknown figure with an interesting or shocking story.

9. PREVIEW: The beginning of the article. Includes editor's name, possibly a smaller image relating to the article and the text is bold and contained in a white textbox layered onto the main image.

Front Cover Deconstruction

In order to fully understand the codes and conventions of The Sun I have fully analysed the front cover, highlighting all of the key features and details which will be neccessary to replicate:

This highlights the typical elements of the paper and front cover which I will need to replicate; although my story will be of a scandalous and celebrity nature the basic format of this front cover will be able to still be applied.

Images used in The Sun

Due to the nature of the newspaper and the target audience's interest's and ideals mentioned in previous posts The Sun is knowned for being an image based newspaper when reporting. This is particularly evident when producing celebrity scandals and on the gossip/'Showbiz' elements in the paper. Below are a few images which have been published in the paper when reporting on celebrity scandals; there is a running theme and content link throughout:

The images that dominate The Sun in general (especially when referring to celebrities and our obessession with the 'Showbiz' culture) are dominated by females in unflattering pictures revealing drug taking, alcohol abuse or flirtacious moments with males. They highlight and target these female celebrities in order to publicise the scandal, create gossip and win readers over. The paper has the power and respect to use these images to cerate and manioulate a whole topic of the celebrity's life.

I intend to recreate one of these scandals in my production piece by using large images possibly relating to a drug scandal or alcohol abuse. The image must have a 'caught in the act' relevence; it must be evident that the female has been caught out by the paparazzi and this image then provides the foundations for a feature on their 'out of control' behaviour; which is further exagerated in the article. 

Double Page Spread

This double page spread reflects the typical codes and conventions of The Sun newspaper. The layout reflects the front cover in that once again the page is image dominated - one large image relevant to the article to grab the audience's attention. The conventions and media codes within a typical Sun feature (double page) can be dividing into several elements which can then be further analysed.

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

- As with most newspaper articles of all backgrounds the page is organised into collumns and tables with the images slotted and embedded into the text. This creates a neat, ledgible and clear layout for the readers to digest. As the target audience is aimed towards a wide spectrum of people from young males to the elderly the underlying component that connects the whole newspaper together is its 'easy/light read' lable. In order to truely reflect The Sun's conventions in my production piece I intend to maintain this simple and clear layout throughout the article.

- The double page integrates smaller features relating to the article to lighten up the weight of the text. For example in the piece above there is a thick border running across the whole bottom of the text with relative facts and details on the feature. Not only does this physically cut down the size of the text but it also adds interest for the reader and enables them to grasp the concept of the piece without having to thoroughly digest the whole article; can easily be skim read.

- The image dominates the page, covering almost two thirds. Furthermore, smaller images are embedded into the page and add further entertainment and interest for lighter readers, they also act as a catch to draw readers into the article and feature.

- The font used for the heading is varied to add a greater impact and style to the piece. Incorporating The Sun's typical logo and fonts the heading further uses colours and changes in size to enhance the statement and entice the reader.

LANGUAGE AND TEXT
The language use within The Sun is imperative in order to fully embody and recreate the whole style and presentation of the paper in my production piece. The Sun uses a satirical approach to the world's 'heavy' news and after covering these topics the paper is more based an focused on scandalas behaviour of celebrities/public figures, light politics, sports and film/television 'gossip'. Therefore, in order to cater for a wide audience the language has a formal tone in the main features (particularly on double page scandals) yet focuses on the comedy or shocking elements of the subject. Using a formal base the language used is then lightened through abreviated terms and casual language such as 'binge drinking, weed, trollyed, hungover' and so forth. Therefore, when producing my production piece the terminology must not only reflect the scandal being reported but not be too heavy as to deter the target audience from reading it.

The Sun

Codes and Conventions:
The Sun is notorious for its 'kiss-and-tell' approach to news; prioritising gossip before pure, factual documentation of current events; ex reality TV contestants, footballers and actresses are amongst the targets that are often deconstructed.

Front Page:

The Front Page of The Sun is image based; the context of a front page headline is limited with large fonts and pictures dominating the page. The A3 sheet uses colours, large header fonts and relevant images. The page as a whole follows a specific format with the layout being functional for the audience so that all of the information and articles can be seen/previewed. A small taster is shown of varying articles to entice the

audience and the second dominating factor on the page (apart from the picture(s).

- Image dominates the front page (normally a glamour model, something to appeal to maile instincts/shallow related)

- Football/sport related article or preview

- Large dominating font

- The Sun logo

- Colour font or images

- Small, snippets of text

- Overall, the images to text balance is around 75% image based to 25% text based. this reflects the target audience of males and females whom are interested in subjective elements of society such as sport, celebrity scandals and showbiz.