Unveiling Subjectivity in Journalistic Discourse: A Deep Dive
Unveiling Subjectivity in Journalistic Discourse
Field of Use
The field of use of this text, as reflected in its discussion of newspaper accounts and current topics, indicates a general interest. This is further supported by the use of the first-person plural (e.g., “nuestro” – our), suggesting a shared perspective.
Genre
In terms of journalistic genre, this text falls under the category of opinion. The author does not merely report on the subject but aims to express an opinion and convince the reader of its validity. Specifically, it can be classified as a background article, as it is a signed piece.
Discourse Type
The discourse type is primarily argumentative. The author attempts to persuade the reader through various arguments and rhetorical strategies. To defend their thesis, the author employs the following arguments:
- Argument by example: The author provides specific examples with explanatory value to support their thesis.
- Analogy argument: The author draws comparisons between two facts, using their structural similarities for explanatory value.
Text Structure
This text follows a synthesizing structure. The thesis is presented at the end, following the supporting arguments. Therefore, it adheres to an inductive method, beginning with the presentation of specific facts and the reasoning behind their analysis, ultimately leading to the thesis.
Linguistic Features
The linguistic features of this text stem from the author’s personal style, characteristic of opinion articles. At the morphosyntactic level, we can highlight the following:
- Authorial presence in the text: This is evident in the use of both first-person singular verbs (e.g., “empecé” – I began) and pronouns (e.g., “me” – me). The consistent presence of the author throughout the text imbues it with subjectivity.
- Desire to involve the reader: The author seeks to engage the reader and make them participate in the discourse. This is clearly seen in the use of first-person plural pronouns (e.g., “nos” – us) and possessives (e.g., “nuestro” – our).
- Use of numerous determiners or indefinite pronouns: This contributes to the rhetorical nature of the text.
At the lexical-semantic level, the predominance of subjectivity is apparent in the following:
- Connotative meaning of adjectives: Some adjectives carry evaluative connotations, such as “ignominious” when describing losses.
- Presence of explicit ratings and reviews: The text is replete with explicit evaluations of the discussed facts, as seen in phrases like “I think it started…”
- Inclusion of terms from other languages: This demonstrates the journalist’s interest in incorporating diverse, select, and contextually appropriate vocabulary.
Stylistic Features
At the lexical-semantic level, the following stylistic features are noteworthy:
- Irony
- Hyperbole
- Contrast between different terms
- Metaphor
Language Functions
The predominant language function in this text is the appellative or conative function. The author aims to persuade the reader through arguments and strategies, as well as through the use of the first-person plural (“we”), as previously mentioned.
The expressive or emotive function is also present, as the text is imbued with subjectivity and employs numerous rhetorical devices, as observed in the analysis.
Furthermore, the referential or representational function is evident, as the text informs the reader about a particular topic. The poetic function is also discernible through the use of stylistic devices, indicating the author’s concern for the construction and aesthetic quality of the text itself.