THĂNG LONG UNIVERSITY

English Department

ASSIGNMENT

THE LANGUAGE OF NEWSPAPERS

Student name:
Student code: A
Supervisor: Lê Thị Tuyền, M.A

Hanoi, October 2021

THE LANGUAGE OF NEWSPAPER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1: INTRODUCTION.........................................................................3
PART 2: ANALYSIS....................................................................................4
1. The headlines...................................................................................................................4
2. The language use..............................................................................................................6
4. Quotations .......................................................................................................................7

PART 3: CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................10

APPENDICES...................................................................................................11

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………..19

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Part 1: INTRODUCTION

According to Hamilton, J. (2005), newspapers are considered as an up-to-date tool

for readers to keep track of something that has just happened or is about to happen.
Moreover, weather predictions, financial reports, and even sports scores are all available
to readers. Newspapers are more updated than books; they have a wider range of content
than magazines. Papers are an important part of the study process since they contain more
information than television.

Stated in Newspapers (2005), papers are divided into broadsheets and tabloids.

Broadsheet newspapers are traditionally larger about 15 by 23 inches (38 by 58cm) and

more complicated, concentrating on the world, national, state, local news, and political

news, while tabloids are slightly smaller, measuring about 11 by 15 inches and usually

simpler to read, containing the main news stories, celebrity news, gossip, and human-

interest stories. The broadsheets are often known as the “quality press” included The

Times, The Telegraph, and The Guardian. Tabloids include the Daily Mail, the Daily

Express, and the Sun.

In the following part, one article from “Mirror” and one from “The Guardian” will
be taken into consideration to find out the differences between two types of newspapers:
broadsheet and tabloid. They are about the supply petrol chain crisis in the UK. The
assignment is focused on the different techniques that each paper used to represent the

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same issue in terms of the headline, use of language, and quotes and the efficiency of
these techniques to show the distinctive features between broadsheet and tabloid.

Part 2: ANALYSIS

1. Headlines and sub-headlines:

A newspaper headline is the first thing that everyone noticed when reading an
article. According to Ferry, T. (2016), they usually are large, boldface print which
distinguishes them from the rest so that the reader can quickly decide whether to continue
reading the whole story or skip into another one. Therefore, the headline must catch the
reader’s attention as well as capture the essence of the story. The need to stimulate sales
and the lack of space has created the unique characteristics of newspapers headlines.
Sentences are frequently incomplete, brief, simple, and use abbreviated vocabulary,
initials, and a lot of lot puns and other techniques such as alliterations, metaphor, or
metonyms. Because of the limited space on the page, the headline can be displayed as a
form of a noun phrase, noun string, or even leaves out articles and “to be” verbs to save
space.

Moreover, he also stated that nine basic techniques are used in the headline of an
article. The first technique is using the present simple tense to illustrate the past event.
Next, articles and “to be” verbs can be removed to save space. Thirdly, nouns, verbs, and

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prepositions are frequently used as adjectives. Using the present continuous tense to show
the ongoing events. When the writer uses the infinitive verb, he or she would like to
express future events. In addition, specialized vocabulary and abbreviations are also used.
It is usual to use colloquialisms or slang. The eighth technique is the omission of
auxiliary verbs in passive sentences to save space. Finally, punctuations are used for
specific purposes.

Sometimes, the writers add a sub-headline under the headline to reel the readers
in. Stated by Pastel (2019): “sub-headline or subheading is the text placed under a
headline, often with a smaller font, which expands on what the headline says”.

In the case of the two articles, both are put in form of a full sentence. The
headline of “The Guardian” is concise and informative.
“Borris Johnson to consider using army to supply petrol stations”
This headline uses the infinitive form of the verb “consider” to describe a future
event. There is no use of capitals which is usual for a broadsheet headline to capture the
attention of the reader in the detail put in the single mark. The headline is followed by a
sub-head which qualifies more information for the headline.
“Ministers to discuss emergency plan Operation Escalin after BP reveals a third
of its forecourts have shortages”
The “Mirror” presents the headline with the look-alike sentence in structure.
However, it is still highly informative and straightforward.
“Borris Johnson considering using army to supply petrol stations as fuel crisis
rumbles on”.
This headline uses the present continuous tense to describe an ongoing event.
After reading this, the reader will expect to find out the answer to their questions: “Who’s
considering using the army to supply petrol stations?”, “Why do we need to use army?”,
“How does the fuel crisis happen?”. In addition, the “Mirror” has a long subheading and
provides redundant information.

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“Boris Johnson is reportedly set to launch 'Operation Escalin' this week - first
conceived during the planning for a no-deal Brexit - in a desperate bid to tackle the fuel
crisis and avoid a 'Winter of Discontent'”
Both sub-headlines are separate from the main body of the news article. The sub-
title also describes the content that will be developed in the body part, which is especially
important in news with a lot of information. Furthermore, like the headline, this article's
sub-title draws readers' attention to the main material of the news piece.

2. Language:

The use of language is the most noticeable distinction between the broadsheet and
the tabloid. It is stated that each paper's style will be tailored to a certain audience.
According to Koshal(2011), working-class and teenagers are more likely to read the
tabloid. As a result, the language must be straightforward, simple, and colloquial.
“Panic buying over the weekend has left sites across the nation without fuel -
prompting fears of another Winter of Discontent.”
The sentence is short, simple, and easy to understand.
In contrast, "The Guardian" is aimed at the educated and skilled middle-class
reader who is interested in financial, political, and other worldwide issues. As a result,
extensive, complicated, and elaborate phrases are typical in broadsheets.
“The developments led to growing fears that the UK could be heading into a
second "winter of discontent" and warnings that shelves could be emptier than usual in
the run-up to Christmas.”
The information is given specifically in every detail and provides warnings which
are a result of the current petrol shortage. It shows that "The Guardian" is far more
engaged to and concerned with the news story than "Mirror."
It may be said that broadsheets share many characteristics with formal and written
language, whereas tabloids share features with casual and spoken language. Informal
language is distinguished by short phrases, the usage of slang, and colloquialism. The

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formal language is distinguished by complex phrases, the absence of slang, and the usage
of standard English.
Moreover, “Mirror” does not include as many statistics as “The Guardian” does.
This means that “The Guardian” has researched carefully to provide readers a deeper,
clearer perspective on this supply chain crisis.
“The PRA said demand at one service station had risen by 500% on Saturday
compared with last week.”
“That a third of its petrol stations had run out of the main two grades of fuel,
while the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents almost 5,500 independent
outlets, said 50% to 90% of its members had reported running out.”
Furthermore, in “The Guardian”, politicians’ comments are often included with a
commentary by the journalist.
“Morris told the Guardian: “We’re not anywhere near that situation yet, but
there are perfect storm analogies coming along that could put us into that territory.” He
stressed it was a “historic problem” that ministers were trying to address, but admitted
the pressure Covid was likely to put on the NHS this winter and the looming end of the
universal credit uplift would make it a challenging winter for many.”
There is a lack of colloquial language, and the sentence is also longer and more
complex than the tabloid’s sentence based on the number of words. There is hardly any
emotive language due to the informative focus. After all, each paper differs in the use of
language.

3. Quotations:

Two newspaper pieces are mostly made up of direct and indirect comments from
politicians, as well as statements made by the editor. The selection of these quotations
reflects a specific variety of diverse perspectives on the topic. It makes the article more
informative and accurate. Both articles include several statements, the majority of which
are verbatim quotes from different characters. The method is utilized differently due to
the varied goals of a tabloid and a broadsheet.

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While “The Guardian” leaves out the wordy parts, “Mirror” puts in all the
statements. The broadsheet uses it to inform, state the fact as well as keep the diverse
point of view. In contrast, the tabloid uses it to make the newspapers longer without
cutting or adding any valuable comments from the journalists. Here are some lengthy
direct statements are retrieved from the “Mirror”:
“Petrol Retailers Association chairman Brian Madderson told the Mirror: "We
think it's going to go on for at least a further week, maybe ten days.
"The problem we've got is there are a finite number of tankers that can carry fuel
and a finite number of drivers.
"There will be some respite because the cars of panic buyers are full...but I can't
see a quick fix.
"It's going to take a long while to get back to normal where all forecourts have
the right amount of fuel."”
In order to attain the readers’ attention, “The Guardian” transforms creatively
some of the politician’s speeches into short, quoted words to make a full sentence.
“The TFTA, which represents producers of high-end free-range turkeys, said it
was “100% caused by a labour shortage” due to post-Brexit immigration rules, meaning
“a whole host” of the workforce is “no longer available for us to use on a seasonal
basis”.
The British Retail Consortium also said moves to relax immigration rules to fix
supply chain issues was “too little, too late” for Christmas.
Andrew Opie, the group’s director of food and sustainability policy, predicted to the
BBC that during the festive season, shoppers would see “less choice, less availability,
possibly shorter shelf life as well, which is really disappointing because this could have
been averted”.”

While the tabloid fails to provide the core reason that caused the issue, the
broadsheet assists the readers to answer fully the question: “Why does this crisis occur?”

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“Ministers are exasperated because they think that the true magnitude of fuel
shortages would have been tiny if the public were acting normally, and the HGV driver
shortage would have only had a marginal effect, but media reports have prompted queues
outside forecourts across the country.”
The broadsheet is also successful in informing the readers with further detailed
consequences of post-Brexit immigration rules which is the labour shortage.

“Kate Martin of the Traditional Farm-fresh Turkey Association (TFTA) said the UK
could face a “national shortage” of turkeys in the run-up to December.
The TFTA, which represents producers of high-end free-range turkeys, said it was
“100% caused by a labour shortage” due to post-Brexit immigration rules, meaning “a
whole host” of the workforce is “no longer available for us to use on a seasonal basis”.
The British Retail Consortium also said moves to relax immigration rules to fix
supply chain issues was “too little, too late” for Christmas.
Andrew Opie, the group’s director of food and sustainability policy, predicted to the
BBC that during the festive season, shoppers would see “less choice, less availability,
possibly shorter shelf life as well, which is really disappointing because this could have
been averted”.
Whereas “The Guardian” ends the papers by creatively adding quoted words from a
politician into a full sentence, the “Mirror” states fully direct statements from an
interview, and lets the reader draw their own opinions.

“Petrol Retailers Association chairman Brian Madderson told the Mirror: "We
think it's going to go on for at least a further week, maybe ten days.
"The problem we've got is there are a finite number of tankers that can carry fuel and a
finite number of drivers.
"There will be some respite because the cars of panic buyers are full...but I can't see a
quick fix.
"It's going to take a long while to get back to normal where all forecourts have the right
amount of fuel."”

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Part 3: CONCLUSION

Overall, this study demonstrates the considerable difference between tabloid and
broadsheet in all studied aspects: headline, language style, and quotes. The discrepancy is
caused by conflicting goals and the different sorts of readers served. By applying various
methods effectively, both sorts of newspapers are able to achieve their goals.

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Due to a lack of specialist experience in the sector, I can only provide a broad
overview of the issues and cannot get into specifics. Furthermore, due to time and
expertise limitations, the paper is unable to avoid some inaccuracies. As a result, I would
be very grateful to get advice and feedback from those who are devoted to the study.

APPENDICES

Fírst Article(Broadsheet):

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/26/boris-johnson-to-consider-

using-army-to-supply-petrol-stations

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Boris Johnson to consider using army to

supply petrol stations

Ministers to discuss emergency plan Operation Escalin after
BP reveals a third of its forecourts have shortages

Sorry out of use signs on the pump at the BP service station in Yaxley, near

Peterborough in Cambridgeshire. Photograph: Paul Marriott/REX/Shutterstock

Aubrey Allegretti

@breeallegretti

Sun 26 Sep 2021 20.28 BST

Hundreds of soldiers could be scrambled to deliver fuel to petrol

stations running dry across the country due to panic buying and a

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shortage of drivers under an emergency plan expected to be considered

by Boris Johnson on Monday.

The prime minister will gather senior members of the cabinet to

scrutinise “Operation Escalin” after BP admitted that a third of its petrol

stations had run out of the main two grades of fuel, while the Petrol

Retailers Association (PRA), which represents almost 5,500

independent outlets, said 50% to 90% of its members had reported

running out. It predicted that the rest would soon follow.

The developments led to growing fears that the UK could be heading

into a second “winter of discontent” and warnings that shelves could be

emptier than usual in the run-up to Christmas.

In a bid to prevent the crisis from deepening further, ministers

including the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, transport secretary

Grant Shapps and home secretary Priti Patel gathered for a midday

meeting on Sunday to discuss options – including Operation Escalin.

Conceived years ago during the planning for a no-deal Brexit, it would

mean hundreds of soldiers being drafted in to drive a reserve fleet of 80

tankers. It is understood that it would take up to three weeks to fully

implement, because some of those mobilised may already be on other

deployments and others could be reservists. Escalin was touted as an

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option last week, but government sources downplayed the chance of its

activation.

Late on Sunday night, Kwarteng also announced that fuel firms would

be temporarily excluded from the Competition Act for the purposes of

sharing information and optimising supply. He admitted there had been

“some issues with supply chains”, but insisted there was still “plenty of

fuel at refineries and terminals”. Officials said the move would make it

easier for firms to “share information, so that they can more easily

prioritise the delivery of fuel to the parts of the country and strategic

locations that are most in need”.

The Escalin and other proposals will be put to Johnson on Monday

afternoon, in a meeting where ministers are also expected to discuss

more immediate solutions to try to influence people’s behaviour and put

an end to the current levels of panic buying.

Ministers are exasperated because they think that the true magnitude of

fuel shortages would have been tiny if the public were acting normally,

and the HGV driver shortage would have only had a marginal effect, but

media reports have prompted queues outside forecourts across the

country. The PRA said demand at one service station had risen by 500%

on Saturday compared with last week.

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A source suggested that a high level of shortages will last at least another

five days – and could go on even longer if people’s behaviour does not

change. They called the situation a “catch-22”, because by making any

interventions, the government could end up exacerbating the problem:

“The more we seem to react to this, the more we end up driving it. But if

we don’t react, it just carries on. We’re almost generating our own

crisis.”

The shortage has also had major knock-on effects that ministers feel

need urgent remedying, with teachers and doctors unable to fill up their

tank to drive to school or hospital. The blunt communications strategy

of insisting there is no lack of fuel is likely to be shifted to urging people

to be mindful of others when buying petrol.

Attention is also turning to Christmas. Kate Martin of the Traditional

Farm-fresh Turkey Association (TFTA) said the UK could face

a “national shortage” of turkeys in the run-up to December.

The TFTA, which represents producers of high-end free-range turkeys,

said it was “100% caused by a labour shortage” due to post-Brexit

immigration rules, meaning “a whole host” of the workforce is “no

longer available for us to use on a seasonal basis”.

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The British Retail Consortium also said moves to relax immigration

rules to fix supply chain issues was “too little, too late” for Christmas.

Andrew Opie, the group’s director of food and sustainability policy,

predicted to the BBC that during the festive season, shoppers would see

“less choice, less availability, possibly shorter shelf life as well, which is

really disappointing because this could have been averted”.

Jim McMahon, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, claimed the

government’s solution of streamlining HGV tests and granting about

5,000 extra visas for drivers and another 5,000 for poultry workers was

“not good enough”. He said if ministers did not do more, “shelves will

continue to be bare, with medicines not delivered and Christmas ruined

for the nation”.

A Tory MP, David Morris, spelled out the scale of the challenge facing

the government. He said: “I can remember the winter of discontent and

I remember what was building up to it and this to me feels very, very

reminiscent.”

Morris told the Guardian: “We’re not anywhere near that situation yet,

but there are perfect storm analogies coming along that could put us

into that territory.” He stressed it was a “historic problem” that

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ministers were trying to address, but admitted the pressure Covid was

likely to put on the NHS this winter and the looming end of the

universal credit uplift would make it a challenging winter for many.

Shapps on Sunday urged people to “be sensible” and blamed “one of the

road haulage associations” for what he called a manufactured crisis,

suggesting on Sky News that the group had leaked details from a

meeting last week about driver shortages at fuel firms. However, the

Road Haulage Association branded it a “disgraceful attack” concocted to

“divert attention away” from the government’s handling of the issue.

Second Article(Tabloid): https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-

considering-using-army-25077766

Boris Johnson considering using

army to supply petrol stations as
fuel crisis rumbles on
Boris Johnson is reportedly set to launch 'Operation Escalin' this week - first conceived
during the planning for a no-deal Brexit - in a desperate bid to tackle the fuel crisis and
avoid a 'Winter of Discontent'

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The PM could be facing a winter of continuous crisis (

Image: Getty Images)
ByJonathan ColesReporter

 22:27, 26 Sep 2021

 UPDATED22:28, 26 Sep 202

Hundreds of soldiers could be drafted in to deliver fuel to dry petrol stations

under plans reportedly being considered by No10.

Panic buying over the weekend has left sites across the nation without
fuel - prompting fears of another Winter of Discontent.

The government has downplayed any suggestions of a widespread crisis,

insisting reservers are healthy.

But a shortage of lorry drivers has meant deliveries to some petrol stations
have been affected - sending swathes of people into crisis mode.

It is thought that Boris Johnson will consider launching 'Operation Escalin' on

Monday - which was first conceived during the planning for a no-deal Brexit.

Do you have a view on this story? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.

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Panic buying has led to problems across the nation (Image: Darren
Quinton/Birmingham Live)
According to the Guardian, the Prime Minister will meet with senior cabinet
ministers to discuss whether squaddies should be called up to drive a fleet of
up to 80 tankers.

It is understood that this plan will take up to three weeks to implement, the
paper said, because some of those mobilised may already be on other
deployments and others could be reservists.

And while there have been regular meetings across Whitehall over the last
week, there is yet to be an indication on when a final decision could be made.

It is understood ministers are monitoring data and possible new mitigations

that may be needed to help with pinch points in supply.

Perceived fuel shortages have led to chaotic scenes at petrol stations, with
people queuing for hours to fill up - and some even stockpiling in jerry cans.

The panic prompted ministers to suspend competition rules which stop fuel
suppliers talking to each other on Sunday.

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The government has downplayed any suggestions of a widespread

crisis, insisting reservers are healthy (Image: Darren
Quinton/Birmingham Live)
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "We have long-standing contingency
plans in place to work with industry so that fuel supplies can be maintained
and deliveries can still be made in the event of a serious disruption.

“While there has always been and continues to be plenty of fuel at refineries
and terminals, we are aware that there have been some issues with supply
chains.

"This is why we will enact the Downstream Oil Protocol to ensure industry can
share vital information and work together more effectively to ensure
disruption is minimised."We thank HGV drivers and all forecourt staff for their
tireless work during this period."

Industry chiefs say the petrol pump chaos will last for at least another week
as the Government was accused of mishandling the shortages crisis.

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The shortages have already had a knock-on effect to key industries and
sectors with police officers being forced to queue jump for fuel and
paramedics facing delays.

And the lack of HGV drivers is also causing as many as one in five
supermarket deliveries to be late or cancelled.

Sign up for our daily newsletter to keep up to date with all the essential
information at www.mirror.co.uk/email .

Tory plans to alleviate the HGV driver shortage by issuing 5,000 temporary
Visas have been already rubbished by both foreign HGV drivers and British
unions.

But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also admitted it may take years for the
driver shortages situation to be fully resolved.

Petrol Retailers Association chairman Brian Madderson told the Mirror: "We
think it's going to go on for at least a further week, maybe ten days.

"The problem we've got is there are a finite number of tankers that can carry
fuel and a finite number of drivers.

"There will be some respite because the cars of panic buyers are full...but I
can't see a quick fix.

"It's going to take a long while to get back to normal where all forecourts have
the right amount of fuel."

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REFERENCES

Allegretti, A. (26, September 2021). Boris Johnson to consider using army to supply

petrol stations. The Guardian. Retrieved from

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/26/boris-johnson-to-consider-using-

army-to-supply-petrol-stations

Coles, J. (26, Sept 2021). Boris Johnson considering using army to supply petrol stations

as fuel crisis rumbles on. Mirror. Retrieved from

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-considering-using-army-25077766

Ferry, T. (2016). Breaking news! A complete guide to understanding English news. Ho

Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House.

Halminton, J. (2005). Newspapers. ABDO Publishing Company, 4940 Viking Drive,

Edina, Minnesota 55435.

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Koshal(2011). Difference Between Tabloid and Broadsheet. Retrieved from

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-tabloid-and-vs-broadsheet/

Patel, N. Subheadings: What They Are & How to Craft Great Ones. Retrieved from

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/craft-subheadlines-click

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