The volume provides an introduction to themes and problems central to the phenomenon of newspaper communication. It considers first of all the constitution of the concept 'newspaper' and the history of the emergence of newspaper articles. A central concern is to develop a theory of newspaper communication. Distinctions are made between various types and forms of newspaper in their historical contexts. Central distinctive functions of newspapers are, it transpires, information and publicity, control and criticism, education and instruction, advertising and documentation. Special reference is made to developments in the layout of newspapers and the kind of language employed in them. Further chapters centre on newspaper editors and journalists, newspaper distribution and circulation, and newspaper readers. The volume closes with a round-up in newspaper research, newspaper criticism and a brief history of the newspaper. The volume as a whole sets out to provide both a general overview of the subject and to indicate routes to explore for further research into what is still our most important mass medium.