Journalistic Genres and Opinion Articles
Journalistic Genres
Informative vs. Opinion Genres
Journalistic genres channel information and offer different approaches to reality. Each genre presents a unique interpretation.
Informative Genres
- News: The prototypical informative genre, answering the basic questions: Why? Who? Where? When? How many times? According to whom? What is the background?
- Reportage: Allows a more personal style, exploring causes, environment, and impact of events through direct information gathering.
- Chronicle: A blend of information and opinion, containing the author’s signature and interpretation. It covers past events, linking related topics.
Opinion Genres
These genres convey the author’s subjective evaluations:
- Editorial
- Letters to the Editor
- Opinion Article
- Critique
Editorial
Represents the newspaper’s interpretation of important events, presented in a logical argumentative structure. There are three types:
- Controversy Editorial: Refutes opposing arguments.
- Interpretation Editorial: Presents a detailed analysis, stating considered conclusions without controversy.
- Objective/Analytic Editorial: Similar to interpretation, but the writer’s opinion is less prominent, used when a shared opinion exists.
Critique
Offers an expert assessment, often focusing on cultural topics like art, books, and movies. It informs about the work, its context, and provides an opinion based on data and arguments.
Photojournalism, including cartoons and jokes, is a special variant.
Interview
Can be a separate genre, serving informative, opinion-based, or personality-focused purposes.
Opinion Article
The author expresses a subjective, personal view, always signed. It can be written by a regular contributor or a guest specialist.
Column
A type of opinion article, often written by a regular contributor with more freedom in structure and topic choice. It may not always take a position.
Comparative Table
| Feature | Opinion Article | Column |
|---|---|---|
| Author | Timely collaborator, invited specialist | Regular contributor |
| Length | More extensive | Less extensive |
| Position | Reasoned defense of a position | May not take a position |
| Structure | Expository-argumentative | More freedom of choice |
Introductions and Conclusions
Introductions raise the issue, introduce the writer’s style, and capture attention. Conclusions aim to leave a good impression, reinforce the central message, and provide closure.
Introduction Types
- Summary: Summarizes the theme.
- Anecdote: Starts with a concrete story or experience.
- Brief Statements: Short sentences for seamless reading.
- Citation: Introduces another voice, like a famous quote.
- Question: Poses a problem for later development.
- Analogy: Compares the theme to a different situation.
Conclusion Types
- Synthesis: Summarizes the main ideas.
- Anecdote: Ends with a specific event.
- Short Affirmations: Added to a finished text.
- Citation: Closes with a verbatim quote.
- Question: Raises unresolved issues or rhetorical questions.
- Analogy: Final image comparing the subject to another situation.