Codes and conventions of documentary advertsBy Jacob Chisnall

Codes and ConventionsThe Channel 4 logo is always on the right side of the advertisement and mostly in the centre of the right side but sometimes at the top.

There is a banner on the left side at the bottom with the documentary title and the time/date it will be shown.

The tagline can also be written here but can also be placed separately at the top left.

The title, tagline and time/date are always shown.

The advertisement is landscape. It consists of one dominant image which anchors meaning to the documentary.

There is a limited amount of text.

Often placed at the bottom of newspapers.

Channel 4 font featured in all of their advertisements. Channel 4 logo featured in all advertisements and can vary in colour.

Simple Photoshop, not over complicated.

Channel 4 logo in the middle of the right hand side

Very little editing or Photoshop used to alter the image of the two young boys to keep the image simple and to not distract from the message that they’re trying to put across

Powerful image to emphasise the effect of gun crime on children

Simple title with information scheduling in a box and not disrupting the images impact.

Channel 4 logo on the right hand side in the middle

Simple yet powerful photo to emphasise how easily children go missing right in front of our eyes and we pay no real attention, with the image inferring that them disappearing is similar to them being swallowed up

Text in a white box including scheduling information

Some photo shop used to make it look as if the child is being pulled into the ground and the blur of the people to make it look like they’re just walking by quickly, but nothing to make it look as if it’s not real.

ITV logo in the top right hand corner unlike Channel 4, it’s less noticeable

Still says the title and scheduling information

Unlike channel 4, this has a lot of editing and 6 different images at once whereas C4 uses minimal editing and only one image. This is to show the many things a person has to do within a day and all aspects of their day-to-day lives.

Relates to the show as it has the two main characters in different roles and areas to show what can be expected in the show.

No tagline.

Simple and powerful image, no editing and use of Photoshop

Clearly displays the channel twice, once along the right hand side and another in the bottom left

Simple title and tag line in the middle of the image towards the bottom

Details in the top left of the page

Not as orderly and simple as other adverts as all areas of information are scattered across the page and not all in one place to make it simple to read quickly

A channel related to C4 and conventions are similar

Logo on the right side of the page, but towards the bottom

Tag line the largest piece of text on the page above all other information

Simple and effective image that mocks the war by displaying the soldiers as clowns to state their opinionated view that the war is like a circus and a joke.