A Study on the Use of Lead in Newspapers

Abstract

This research attempts to analyze the language used in newspaper leads in English dailies newspapers in terms of their linguistic features. The study is mainly based on descriptive research design. The data for the study were collected from four dailies: 'The Rising Nepal', 'The Himalayan Times' published from Nepal, 'The Times of India' published from India and 'The Guardian' Published from UK in the month of May and June in 2006. The total sample population of the study consists of four English newspapers and altogether 192 news-items. The main tool that the researcher made use of was observation. The results obtained from the very newspaper leads were tabulated on the basis of the variables specified. On the basis of the collected data linguistic characteristics in newspaper leads were observed and simple statistical tools were used to analyze the data by calculating the averages and percentages. This study found that digest leads and quotation or statement leads are used maximally in the concerned newspapers. And the study also shows the language of the newspaper leads is complex, lengthy or wordy as it maximally uses complex and long sentences. Likewise, the newspaper leads usually use strong active voice, indirect narration. The study also shows that most of the newspaper leads use simple aspect and non-past tense. This thesis comprises four chapters. Chapter one deals with the general background, review of related literature, objectives of the study, significance of the study and definition of the specific terms. Chapter two deals the methodology of the study. It encompasses the sources of data, population of the study, sampling procedures, tools for data collection, procedure of the data collection and the limitation of the study. Chapter three consists of the analysis and interpretation of the collected data. the data were analyzed on the basis of the variables that were specified in the objectives of the study. Chapter four deals the findings and recommendation of the study. The findings have been outlined on the basis of the analysis and interpretation, of the data, and appropriate recommendations and pedagogical implications have been made.