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Textual Analysis: Whitney headline dominates; it is given the biggest typeface, signifying this is the most interesting story

ry for the target audience. Story about the NHS is pushed to the side alongside a puff 3am at the Baftas piece and second, sports-related, puff; promotion for free books is prominent on the masthead. Focus on celebrity and entertainment. Bright, bold and attention grabbing approach; page is dominated by colour pictures: red, white and blue dominate, suggesting patriotism (as does the London 2012 banner).

News Values: The news agenda is dominated by celebrity. Whitney is so well known that we do not need a surname. The lead story also satisfies the news values of entertainment, as this is a human interest story, as well as surprise (this event was unexpected) and bad news (a loved star has died). This reliance on celebrity and sensation to appeal to the readers is typical of tabloids. Representations: Main headline is sensational and emotive, as are the bullet points underneath which tease further detail. The last hours promises intimate (impossible?) knowledge of the event; lifeless and slumped are shocking; daughter screamed suggests conflict and drama. These are all designed to attract the t/aud to the main story. The images of Whitney present a juxtaposition: the inset image represents Whitney as a perfect star, smiling, young and beautiful; the main image represents her more negatively: she is sweaty, dishevelled and challenges the camera with her direct gaze. This is labelled as the final photo and is anchored by the erratic and binge text, positioning the audience as a moral judge of her actions prior to her death. She has, it is implied, done this to herself.

Uses and Gratifications: Entertainment: lives of celebrities are constructed into narratives and we wish to follow the next instalment. In this ongoing narrative, Whitney has been represented as the selfdestructive star, finally losing her ongoing battle against substance abuse. Personal Identity: we are encouraged to aspire to be like these stars and their glamourous lifestyles, yet are reassured as we learn about the sordid realities and suffering that is part of the myth of celebrity.

How has this representation been selected, constructed and anchored? Why has it been created in this way/how is it being used? Is this a typical representation in this context? What issues and debates surround this representation?

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