Comparing Editorial Comment

The Guardian's editorial comment from Mon 11th October

From reading the editorial comment from each newspaper, there are some clear similarities and differences between the two. The most prominent difference would be that The Guardian has included an editors comment about more than one topic whereas the Daily Mail has kept the focus on just one issue (Brexit). Both newspapers have used a text-based column style editorial comment, though The Guardian's editor has written it in two columns whereas The Daily Mail's editor has written it in just one long column. As a result, The Guardian has made it easier to read and have made it look more detailed. This suggests that the guardian are more passionate about getting readers to agree with their opinions. It also suggests that their readership are more able and willing to read more detailed pieces of information.

Both the newspapers have a relatively small masthead at the top of the comment and both subheading's outline the opinion of the editor. This is done to attract the audience to read about their certain opinion on the matter, whether they agree with them or not. 

After taking a closer look into the language of the two comments, there are clear similarities and differences. Both newspapers have used an authoritative and persuasive tone to show that they feel strongly about their opinions. However, the Daily Mail uses more word play amongst their opinions. It is noticeable that The Guardian has a higher level of vocabulary compared to the Daily Mail, including figures of speech such as metaphors, lists of three and emotive language.

The Daily Mail's editorial comment from 

The Guardian references climate change as a 'crime', which portrays themselves as people who care for the environment. This encourages the audience to also consider and care for the environment in the same way as they do. For those who are unaware of all the events that have happened due to climate change, this comment would be an eye-opener, allowing people to reflect on what they have just read. The tone that they have used throughout their comment makes them seem influential and sensible as they reference climate change as a 'wake-up call' to society.

Many lists of three have been used to emphasise the amount of natural disasters caused by climate change, adding to the The Guardian's factual and objective approach to news stories. This approach suits their well-educated readership who may already have strong opinions on world issues due to their creditable knowledge. In this comment, they make it clear that they are against big corporations with their sarcastic attitude towards the 'handsome profits' that corporations make which is at the cause of the earth becoming 'a degree warmer than it should be'. The Guardian then express that these companies 'privatised their profits' and 'socialised the cost to the poor people, taxpayers and future generations', putting a bad name on corporations and influencing their readership to believe the same. many of the readers would be unaware that this was taking place, therefore they would enjoy reading about the underlying effects that big corporations have on society. Climate change has been described as a 'human rights emergency' which emphasises the extremity of the problem.

It is worth noting that in 2008, 2/3 of Tory MP's didn’t think climate change was a priority, but their leadership says it’s important. They are more likely to focus on energy security (oil and gas are set to run out very soon, and they won’t want to rely on other countries).

From reading the Daily Mail's editorial comment, we can see that they are guilty of bias. This suits their less-educated readership as they would need a stronger influence to guide them to what they want to believe. They have described protectionism as 'petty' giving it a pathetic sense and discouraging people to like the idea of staying in the EU. It is clear that the Daily Mail dislike Brussels' co-operation with the matter as they mention the country's 'intransigence'. This makes the audience think badly of the members of the EU and makes them believe we are better off cutting ties with countries like Brussels. The Daily Mail then emphasise their authority with the line 'how dare he lecture us!' in response to Michel Barnier's refusal to discuss trade or 'anything else'. Again, the Daily Mail are influencing their readership to dislike other members of the EU. This is effective in entertaining the Daily Mail's readership because they have made their opinions so clear that people would enjoy reading them as they show passion and sometimes fury. 

The Daily Mail's comment touches upon the surmountable 'hurdles' that we will face if/when we leave the EU, giving the reader the idea that leaving will not be difficult. We can 'take back control' if we are no longer part of the EU, which sounds admirable to the reader. The Daily Mail then criticise the labour party by mentioning that they are 'betraying' millions of their own voters'. For those who are unsure of which party to like, this comment is very interesting for them as it feeds them ideas of who to support. Furthermore, The Daily Mail have created a positive vibe around Theresa May as they mention that she 'welcomes' her 'ambitious...plans'. The reader would get the sense that the conservatives are people who promise security and happiness for our future, giving those who are in the middle wing a strong opinion of who they think is best at running the country.