Comparison between British and American main newspapers in the aspect of the reader involvement into the text

The conducted analysis shows that British newspapers are characterized by the greater involvement of the reader into the construing of the newspaper discourse. The reader’s involvement is determined by:

- presentation of the advertisement dominates British newspapers (e.g. Daily Mail) which contain pieces of advertisement on their front pages. Such advertisement directly addresses the reader who is compelled to buy something.

- Little printed information on the front pages with visual representation prevailing (double-decked headlines in capital letters that take much space, bulky headlines and pictures in bright colors);

- More pictures throughout the British newspaper portraying authors of the articles and event participants;

- Headlines in bold and big print all through the newspaper

- Many headlines of instructive character addressing the reader directly, e.g. How four apples a day can cut cholesterol by a quarter (The Daily Mail, 13.04.2011), Does your dentist make you visit too often? (The Daily Mail, 13.04.2011)

The author’s presence is increased through specifying the sphere of his journalistic work as, for example, By Becky Barrow Business Correspondent; by Sophie Borland Health Reporter; by Simon Cable Showbusiness Reporter; by Jenny Hope Medical Correspondent

- construing events, exemplifying ordinary private human life, topics can be labeled as ‘human interest’, Topshop tycoon’s ‘& 200,000 gift’ to divorce case model (divorce); happiness: Want to be happy? Try being a bit less selfish; school life: How school yoga lessons are stretching pupils’ minds; money mail advice: Why did my &800 refund claim fall upon deaf ears? Customers: Give us fair banking

- analytical and entertaining components dominate British newspapers and informative prevails in American newspapers. So the former compel the reader to take an active position in construing the world and the latter impose the ready made picture of reality.

American newspapers like International Herald Tribune concentrate more on important world sociopolitical issues. If you look at its front page, you’ll notice that headlines are construing events from around the globe that is seen even in the usage of toponyms naming countries in the initial positions, e.g. Sudan turns its fury on a rebellion in central region; Greek banks trapped in vortex of crisis; Pakistan accuses a general of militant ties (The IHT, 22.06.2011); short general coverage of the events, specified in the inner part of the newspaper.

Names of countries used in the IHT give a wider viewing frame while names of people used in the Daily Mail give a restricted viewing frame. Such difference in the usage of nominals provides general or specific view of the event and also objective or subjective. Due to using names of different people the reader becomes closer to them and can empathize that makes event representation more subjective.

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