The opinion article is a subgenre of journalism, of an argumentative and persuasive nature, characterized by presenting the position, assessments and analysis that, on a particular issue or event of public interest, performs a personality of recognized prestige, credibility and authority, with the purpose to influence and guide public opinion.
Characteristics of the opinion article
- Its main objective is to express a position and offer assessments, opinions and analysis on issues of public interest to guide or influence the reading public.
- It is always signed by its author.
- Its author is usually a person who enjoys prestige, credibility and authority in relation to certain topics or areas of knowledge. You don’t necessarily have to be a journalist.
- It tends to be an exposition, of an argumentative and persuasive nature, around an issue or event, for which it uses a language that is usually pleasant, simple, clear and concise.
- It covers varied topics, as long as these are current, relevant and relevant.
- It usually has independence of opinion with respect to the editorial line of the newspaper, although, in general, the bulk of the columnists usually share it, and their presence in the tabloid pursues the purpose of reinforcing it.
Opinion structure
In the opinion article we can recognize a basic structure that is divided into four parts.
- Title: all journalistic text should be titled with a brief and concise statement, preferably striking, about the content of the article.
- Introduction: it constitutes the first part of the article. You must advance, without developing, the main ideas around the issue to be addressed. The ideal thing is that it arouses the interest of the reader.
- Body: is the part where the main ideas around the theme or central issue of the article will be developed and analyzed. Arguments will be used, contrasted with opposing positions. It will reason.
- Conclusion: the conclusion will coincide with the resolution of the article. The author will present the thesis or position defended (the opinion) and may even add some recommendation or phrase that motivates the reader to take action.
Opinion and editorial article
The opinion article and the editorial share some characteristic features. Both address a specific issue or event of public interest by offering valuations, opinions and analysis that support their specific position regarding the issue.
However, both also differ in various aspects . To begin with, the opinion article expresses the subjective position of its author, and is signed by it, while the editorial expresses the position and opinion of the newspaper regarding a news or public interest issue or event, so that it is not going signed. Its elaboration is generally carried out by the director of the tabloid or the editorial board.
In addition to this, the editorials only address relevant news, of important public repercussion, while the opinion article offers more variety and freedom in this regard.
On the other hand, the editorial should always be tied to the editorial line of the newspaper, while the opinion article enjoys greater independence in this regard.
