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The evolution of obituaries in ‘Dagens Nyheter’

Montelius, Malte LU (2023) MHIA22 20231
Department of Communication and Media
Abstract
This thesis aims to study obituaries in the Swedish newspaper 'Dagens Nyheter'. Newspapers are gathered from the years 1865 to 2010 with a 5-year interval and then categorized based on similarities between the issues. By approaching these categories with eye-tracking research and previous research on the cultural importance of obituaries, conclusions on the content, layout, and usage can be drawn. It finds that the content of obituaries was originally based on religion and remained homogeneous, but secularization has altered their meaning as they become more personalized. The advantageous layout throughout this time shows a prioritization of obituaries as relevant information. Findings also suggest that high-ranking members of a community... (More)
This thesis aims to study obituaries in the Swedish newspaper 'Dagens Nyheter'. Newspapers are gathered from the years 1865 to 2010 with a 5-year interval and then categorized based on similarities between the issues. By approaching these categories with eye-tracking research and previous research on the cultural importance of obituaries, conclusions on the content, layout, and usage can be drawn. It finds that the content of obituaries was originally based on religion and remained homogeneous, but secularization has altered their meaning as they become more personalized. The advantageous layout throughout this time shows a prioritization of obituaries as relevant information. Findings also suggest that high-ranking members of a community are given more attention throughout the studied period. Finally, the usage of obituaries stays practical, informing people about the deceased. However, later additions change the readers' experience as readers of contemporary obituaries are able to connect to the deceased by mourning, sympathizing, and considering their own legacy. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Montelius, Malte LU
supervisor
organization
course
MHIA22 20231
year
type
L2 - 2nd term paper (old degree order)
subject
language
English
id
9121189
date added to LUP
2023-06-12 07:15:07
date last changed
2023-06-12 07:15:07
@misc{9121189,
  abstract     = {{This thesis aims to study obituaries in the Swedish newspaper 'Dagens Nyheter'. Newspapers are gathered from the years 1865 to 2010 with a 5-year interval and then categorized based on similarities between the issues. By approaching these categories with eye-tracking research and previous research on the cultural importance of obituaries, conclusions on the content, layout, and usage can be drawn. It finds that the content of obituaries was originally based on religion and remained homogeneous, but secularization has altered their meaning as they become more personalized. The advantageous layout throughout this time shows a prioritization of obituaries as relevant information. Findings also suggest that high-ranking members of a community are given more attention throughout the studied period. Finally, the usage of obituaries stays practical, informing people about the deceased. However, later additions change the readers' experience as readers of contemporary obituaries are able to connect to the deceased by mourning, sympathizing, and considering their own legacy.}},
  author       = {{Montelius, Malte}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The evolution of obituaries in ‘Dagens Nyheter’}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}