Fundamentals of Journalistic Discourse and News Construction

Journalistic Discourse Utility

To demonstrate the usefulness of journalistic discourse according to its treatment.

Informative Genre Characteristics

The informative genre is primarily a discourse that may have an expository or descriptive character.

Interpretive Genre Objectives

Explaining events from their causes or origin, to predict possible consequences (features, stories, special reports).

The Role of Opinion in Journalism

Opinion involves a logical process of rationalizing events.

Defining Interpretation in News

Interpretation provides the key to why events occurred (causes). It involves not only describing how things happened but also analyzing and contextualizing them. It explains to the public what the information means.

Journalistic Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment is the subjective point of view of the journalist (logical deductions about the meaning of the news). It allows us to foresee consequences. This can be an institutional piece (e.g., editorial) or a personal one (e.g., columnist).

Understanding Value Judgments

A value judgment is the opinion of the journalist or the position of the communications medium in relation to an event.

Factual Analysis and Conclusions

Factual analysis involves analyzing, drawing conclusions, and making comments, all supported by facts and reliable sources.

Journalistic Composition Styles

Composition styles are used to translate and identify different types of journalistic messages:

• Narration
• Exposition
• Description
• Argumentation

Key Narrative Elements

The narrative elements include: action, characters, and atmosphere. Stories can be told in the 1st or 3rd person.

Key Insight: The reporter constructs reality.

Defining News and Reality Construction

News is a social representation of everyday reality that is manifested in the construction of a possible world.

Stages of News Construction

The three key stages in the construction of news are:

1. Identification of the event (fact).
2. The inquiry phase.
3. The interpretation phase of texts.

Reliable Sources of Information

Information will never become news if it lacks verifiable sources.

The availability of reliable, productive, and accessible sources are the basic conditions for performing the journalistic task effectively.

Central Tasks for News Construction

There are two central tasks of journalism to start the construction of the news:

1. Obtaining information through access to sources.
2. Verifying the reliability of those sources.

Classification of Information Sources

Types of sources include:

• Open/Public (institutions, organizations)
• Private/Partnership (sensitive, specialized)
• Documentary
• Technological
• Database
• Audiovisual

The Journalistic Interview

The interview is a method that captures the opinion of the subject.

Objective Interview

Used primarily to confirm and sell news.

Profile Interview

Focuses on the background and life path of the subject.

Key Journalistic Genres

The Chronicle

The Chronicle aims to make the reader experience the story. It is an investigative report involving journalistic interpretation. It is classified as an informative genre because it reports news. Events must be real. It often employs a more literary style.

The Reportage (Investigative Story)

The Reportage is more thorough. It is important because it constitutes a complete, full investigation, analyzing all factors of an issue. It often incorporates multiple journalistic genres. It is a journalistic narrative that provides social background and subsequent nationwide context. Classes: Political and Social.

Analyzing Information and Opinion

Different ways to analyze information, categorized by field:

• Field of Information:
  • Informative Note
  • Reportage
  • Interviews
  • Analysis
  • Journalistic Focus/Approach
• Field of Opinion:
  • Editorial (The newspaper's point of view)
  • Column (Specialized opinion piece)
  • Article (Specialized information/analysis)
  • Commentary (Possible format)