Argumentative Text Types: Op-Eds and Editorials

Understanding Argumentative Texts

The Op-Ed: A Personal Viewpoint

An op-ed is an argumentative essay where an author presents their personal view on a specific topic.

Characteristics of an Op-Ed

• Author: The article reflects the opinion of an expert on the subject. Authors often collaborate with the newspaper and are not bound by the publication's ideological line.
• Theme: The possibilities for themes are broad. An op-ed can address any matter considered of public interest.
• Purpose: The author's intention is to show the public their position on a particular topic.
• Information Sequencing: Information should be orderly and coherent.
• Language Type: The style used depends on the author's purpose.
• Stylistic Resources: Irony is often emphasized, as authors frequently use it to criticize or make a knowing wink to the reader about certain realities.
• Extension: As a text belonging to a newspaper section, it is usually brief, requiring information to fit the allocated space.

Foreign Words in Writing

Foreign words are terms or phrases adopted by one language from another.

Rules for Using Foreign Words

• If there is a Spanish word with the same meaning, do not use the foreign word.
• Foreign words adapted to Spanish pronunciation and spelling must follow all Spanish spelling rules.
• Foreign words not adapted to Spanish spelling should retain their original spelling.
• In writing, unadapted foreign words should be distinguished by the use of italics if they are not accepted by the RAE (Real Academia Española).

The Editorial: A Collective Stance

An editorial is an unsigned argumentative text that explains and values the journalistic relevance of a special event.

Characteristics of an Editorial

• Author: The editorial is an unsigned text, aiming to present a collective viewpoint. This opinion generally aligns with the newspaper's stance.
• Theme: Must be current and relevant, often linked to politics, economics, or social issues.
• Function: Explains basic data of its subject matter, provides background (historically contextualizing it), predicts a possible future, and makes value judgments.
• Location: Appears in a special place within the opinion section of the communication medium.

Classification of Editorials

• Informative: Statements made from a particular point of view, offering a selection of items for judgment.
• Explanatory: Delve into the causes of events and their subsequent analysis.
• Predictive: Analyze events and forecast their possible consequences.