Introduction to Newspaper Article Analysis
This section outlines the fundamental components of analyzing newspaper articles and provides an overview of different article types.
The introduction of an analysis should identify:
- Type of article
- Author
- Readership
- Time and place of publication
- Context
- Main effect of the text
- Author's intention
- Main message
Definition: A news article primarily provides factual information and answers the "w-questions" who,what,when,where,why,how.
Example: An opinion piece, such as an editorial or column, expresses a view on a certain issue. Editorials are typically unsigned and written by the paper's editor, while columns are authored by specific columnists and tend to be strongly opinionated.
Feature articles explore news stories in depth, providing wider context and often including the author's opinion based on analysis.
Highlight: When analyzing an article, it's crucial to identify the type as it influences the content, structure, and language used.
The main part of the analysis should focus on:
- Line of argument and structure
- Stylistic devices
- Choice of words
- Register
Vocabulary: Register refers to the level of formality in language use, ranging from informal everydaycommunication to formal officialdocumentsandspeeches.
Stylistic devices commonly used in newspaper articles include:
- Quoting experts or authorities to lend credibility
- Presenting facts, figures, surveys, and sources to support arguments
- Providing examples to illustrate points
- Using juxtaposition to compare and contrast ideas
- Employing rhetorical devices such as parallelism, accumulation, and rhetorical questions
Quote: "In order to convey his message, the author employs some stylistic devices and a persuasive line of argument."
