Authorial Subjectivity in Opinion Essays

The predominance of subjectivity is manifest in the modalization, a trait related to the presence of the author in the text. This is characteristic of opinion articles, as in our case, because the essay writer expresses their judgments and views on the subject being treated. This imparts a moralizing value that affects the valuation of the content.

The presence of the author is presented through different procedures. Highlight the following:

1. Sentence Details

These allow us to distinguish the various attitudes of the issuer and appreciate:

• Exclamatory sentences (showing the high degree of emotionality of the author, reflecting his emotions. Interjections): "---"
• Interrogative sentences (seeking a response from the recipient, indicating a desire to involve the reader and to share what the text says, direct/indirect): "---"
• Warrant sentences (express mandate in its various shades, from an order or a plea, therefore requiring some response or action by the reader, positive/negative): "---"
• Optative sentences (expressing content whose realization the author wishes): "---"
• Hesitant sentences (expressing doubt, reflecting the subjunctive mood): "---"

2. Grammatical Person

Authorial presence in the text is reflected in the use of the 1st person singular:

• In verbs: "---"
• As pronouns: "---"
• As possessives: "---"

This continuous presence of the author in the text detracts from its objectivity. Conversely, the desire to involve the reader and to share what is said is clearly seen in the use of the 1st person plural, which also involves the receiver alongside the author. So we appreciate the verbal forms "---", the pronoun "us", and the determiner "our".

3. Measured Items (Adjectives)

The adjectives present in the text are marked with subjectivity because their meaning is totally judgmental. They:

• Add nuances to the accompanying noun: "---"
• In some cases, this subjectivity in meaning is reinforced by prefixed position, which increases its value-laden quality: "---"

4. Rhetorical Figures

Rhetorical figures present in the text are indicative of the highly developed personal style the author boasts in the text. This contrasts with objective reporting. Appreciate:

• Comparisons
• Hyperbole
• Metaphors
• Personalization

5. Moralizing Suffixes

On the other hand, it is worth highlighting those terms that have suffixes that moralize the statement:

• Augmentative: "---"
• Diminutive: "---"