Distinct Grammatical And Syntactic Structures In Newspaper Language Analysis
4.4.2.1. Grammar and Syntax
Distinct grammatical and syntactic structures are essential features in newspaper language and differentiate the language of quality press and popular press newspapers. In fact, tabloidization involves a “movement away from longer, complex, analytical writing” in connection with the style of newspaper language (Bird 2009: 41).
Firstly, the article from 1966 consists of 26 sentences and, thus, has an approximate average of 3 sentences per 100 words. Furthermore, it contains an average of 30 words per sentence. In comparison, the article from 2016 consists of 33 sentences and, hence, has an approximate average of 4 sentences per 100 words. In addition, it contains an average of 33 words per sentence. Thus, the more …show more content…
However, there is no noticeable use of formal items and, instead, the news item contains a number of informal words, such as, beef up, and idiomatic expressions, such as, the deal is struck. Those lexical items appeal to the readers as they evoke a sense of familiarity. Moreover, the article contains neologisms, such as, the blend Brexit which is a combination of the words British and exit. Hence, the choice of words in the article from 2016 is largely neutral but contains informal and idiomatic expressions as well as neologisms to attract the …show more content…
Furthermore, there is an inclination to include human interest and entertainment news stories rather than international or national political news stories. In terms of structure, indicators of tabloidization were not obvious in the more recent newspaper as the headline, the lead and the body of the article in both articles follow the same distinct order and no variations could be determined. In terms of language, however, indicators of tabloidization were identified in the more recent newspaper. In fact, the grammatical and syntactic structures have changed towards shorter and simpler sentences. Although the choice of words remained neutral and informative, a number of informal and idiomatic lexical items were identified. In conclusion, the analysis showed that some indicators of tabloidization could be determined in the recent newspaper. Those factors demonstrate an increased wish to appeal to the newspaper’s readership and support the notion that tabloidization is a “movement to clearer, more accessible news that speaks more directly to readers” (Bird 2009:
Distinct grammatical and syntactic structures are essential features in newspaper language and differentiate the language of quality press and popular press newspapers. In fact, tabloidization involves a “movement away from longer, complex, analytical writing” in connection with the style of newspaper language (Bird 2009: 41).
Firstly, the article from 1966 consists of 26 sentences and, thus, has an approximate average of 3 sentences per 100 words. Furthermore, it contains an average of 30 words per sentence. In comparison, the article from 2016 consists of 33 sentences and, hence, has an approximate average of 4 sentences per 100 words. In addition, it contains an average of 33 words per sentence. Thus, the more …show more content…
However, there is no noticeable use of formal items and, instead, the news item contains a number of informal words, such as, beef up, and idiomatic expressions, such as, the deal is struck. Those lexical items appeal to the readers as they evoke a sense of familiarity. Moreover, the article contains neologisms, such as, the blend Brexit which is a combination of the words British and exit. Hence, the choice of words in the article from 2016 is largely neutral but contains informal and idiomatic expressions as well as neologisms to attract the …show more content…
Furthermore, there is an inclination to include human interest and entertainment news stories rather than international or national political news stories. In terms of structure, indicators of tabloidization were not obvious in the more recent newspaper as the headline, the lead and the body of the article in both articles follow the same distinct order and no variations could be determined. In terms of language, however, indicators of tabloidization were identified in the more recent newspaper. In fact, the grammatical and syntactic structures have changed towards shorter and simpler sentences. Although the choice of words remained neutral and informative, a number of informal and idiomatic lexical items were identified. In conclusion, the analysis showed that some indicators of tabloidization could be determined in the recent newspaper. Those factors demonstrate an increased wish to appeal to the newspaper’s readership and support the notion that tabloidization is a “movement to clearer, more accessible news that speaks more directly to readers” (Bird 2009: