Thursday, 27 September 2018

Creating a Question Paper

Compare the ideologies conveyed through the representation in the Daily Mirror and the Times (front page)

Potential Answers:
The Daily Mirror
 - the statue is seen to be weeping into her hands which creates meaning for the audience and is intended to be read as connoting despair.
- the background of the image contains dark clouds which can be interpreted as foreshadowing future events
- the front page of the DM has juxtaposed the image with the bold headline "what have they done?" which positions the American voters as to blame for Trump's victory. The bold headline at the top of the page "It's President Trump..." with the use of ellipsis again suggests foreshadowing.
- this article likens the US election outcome to Brexit by highlighting immigration concerns and loss of jobs as central to voters' decision to vote for Trump.
- the use of American iconography throughout the front page and the colours of the American flag in the article will have immediate cultural significance for the reader who will be able to create meaning in the associations they have with these signs.
- the use of the pronoun 'they' in the front-page headline "What have they done?" creates an immediate binary opposition of 'us and them' and lays balme on the American people for Trump's win and creates the suggestion that this has a global impact and therefore particular ideological significance.

The Times
- Trump and Mike Pence are positioned in a medium close up shot on either side of the frame with Trump in the foreground.
- their code of dress connotes a business approach with both men dressed in black suits but wearing a red and blue tie which reflects American iconography.
- the body language of the two men demonstrates an emotive response with Pence applauding Trump and the president clenching his right fist in celebration.
- the use of the headline 'The New World' positioned over Trump's jacket invites readers to question what the impact of Trump's presidency may be, which is reiterated through the use of the subheading "Donald Trump sends shock waves around the Globe". His body language suggests determination and jubilation. This statement is powerful but maintains a neutral approach which encourages readers to establish their own viewpoint. The use of a quote by Trump on the back page again suggests a neutral stance but could be interpreted as offering as offering readers an insight into Trump's characters and need for acceptance.

Thursday, 13 September 2018

Media Language and Representation - The Sun Newspaper

The main image is of Putin who is shirtless, wearing a crucifix chain and a builders tool belt. This creates stereotypes of a European builder who are considered cold, confrontational and aggressive. This is supported by Putin's facial expression where he is sternly looking straight at the reader and stress lines run straight across his forehead. We can see anchorage between the main image and headline which states "Come 'N have a go if EU think you're hard enough" this supporting the idea of Putin being portrayed as confrontational as this is supposed to seem a quote from him which is a play on words of a classic aggressive challenge, associating with his common field as a politician. The play on words from you to EU is a direct relation to politics as Putin(The Russian President) is challenging the European Union and further anchorage is displayed here as we can see the background is the EU flag. The stand verse "Putin squares up over Crimea" is further anchorage to the idea of Putin being confrontational as squaring up is a common term for confronting someone and this can be seen further by the square body language of Putin, with his arms at a right angle. The conventions of the newspaper front page work in a relay to strongly portray the idea that Putin is a bully. The preview of the article then states that as he is described as macho and it tells how he tried to justify an invasion of Ukraine territory. A caption beneath the headline says "Russian bare Putin..." which is a pun on the fact that Putin is shirtless and that his large physique resembles a bear, a stereotypically aggressive and impulsive animal.

Comparison of The Sun and the Daily Mirror 

The main image of the The Sun newspaper shows Putin in an aggressive stance which gives the impression that he's not happy with the politics around the world which is evident through the headline "Come 'n have a go if eu think you're hard enough". Similarly, the Daily Mirror displays a fearful statue of liberty with her hands over her face to suggest she is ashamed of the political event (Trump's victory) that occurred. In The Sun newspaper the message conveyed is more suggesting they are ready for the issues that could be possibly occur whereas in the Daily Mirror newspaper there is more of a sense of panic and uncertainty. This is further emphasised through the headline "come 'n have a go if eu think you're hard enough" which can be interpreted as a pun as it shows that they are able to joke about the situation. In contrast the Daily Mirror headline conveys more of a complaint or a concerned statement. In addition to this the use of ellipsis conveys a level of uncertainty that they are unsure and aren't for what is to come. Both newspapers make reference to the EU, mostly due to it's high political standing. In the sun it bears the EU flag in the background behind Putin as it is 'the new team' that he is challenging and in the daily mirror on the first page the title states "America's Brexit". Both papers display a controversial view towards the EU. The Sun is questioning the strength of the EU whereas the Daily Mirror is suggesting that Britain's exit from the EU was a mistake by associating it with the election of Trump which they believe was a bad choice. 

Thursday, 6 September 2018

Trump Documentary - Notes

BBC  One Nation Under Trump
"Make America Great Again"
Trump's Promises:
- 'education run by the locals'
- he called women he doesn't like 'fat pigs' & 'disgusting animals'
- repeal Obama's care
- wall in Mexico
- immigration laws
- he's going to make everything rich
He kept saying that America is losing at everything like trades etc. which correlates to his slogan. He wants America to be the best at everything socially, economically and politically.
He always talks about how bad America is and how he's going to make it great again. "What has our country come to?"
He 'bad mouths' the press
Wants to make America rich
Insults Cruz - candidate for President / his rival




Creating a Question Paper