Linguistic and Stylistic Features of Journalistic Texts

Morphosyntactic Level

Determinants

Use of determinants with a generalizing value to extend the information of the noun they accompany.

Subjectivity

Journalistic texts often feature subjectivity, characterized by:

• First-person verbs (e.g., I think, I believe)
• The plural of modesty (e.g., we note)
• Possessive determiners (e.g., our, your, my)
• Personal pronouns (e.g., we, they)
• Complement pronouns (e.g., us, me)

Sentence Structure

• Simple Sentences: Including impersonal forms (e.g., there is) and passive reflexive forms (e.g., it has been acquired).
• Compound Sentences: Including juxtaposed clauses (linked by commas) and subordinated clauses (e.g., adjective clauses like noun + that; noun clauses like verb + that).

Verbs

• Use of the present perfect indicative with a timeless value (e.g., it has been).
• Use of verbs in the imperfect subjunctive (e.g., if it were).
• Use of the conditional to express rumors or possibilities (e.g., could, should).

Expository Structures

• Deductive: The thesis is presented at the beginning.
• Inductive: The thesis is presented at the end.
• Parallel: The thesis is developed in each paragraph.
• Repetitive: A single thesis is repeated in each paragraph.
• Framed: The thesis is stated at the beginning and the end.
• Interrogative: The thesis is posed as a question at the beginning.

Morphology

• Predominance of nouns (both concrete and abstract).
• Adjective-noun combinations in prepositional structures.
• Prevalence of nominal structures (e.g., Trojan horse).
• Nominalizations derived from verbs (e.g., dedication) and adjectives (e.g., whiteness).

Lexico-semantic Level

Vocabulary

• Alternation between precise and abstract terms.
• Use of loanwords and words with Greco-Latin roots.
• Use of compound and derived words (with prefixes and suffixes).
• Use of apocopes (e.g., San for Santo) and acronyms (e.g., RENFE).

Connotative Language

Language is often connotative to reflect the author's viewpoint, using first-person verbs and subjective expressions that convey value judgments.

Euphemisms

Used to soften or conceal taboo words or harsh realities (e.g., using workforce adjustment for layoffs).

Colloquialisms

The appearance of informal expressions (e.g., to take at face value, a block of years).

Antonyms and Synonyms

Used for stylistic variation and to create emphasis.

Textual Cohesion Mechanisms

Discourse markers are used to ensure cohesion:

• Text Organizers: Delimit the text (e.g., to begin with, in conclusion) and structure content (e.g., firstly, secondly).
• Connectors: Link successive units to establish semantic relations (e.g., time, cause, contrast).
• Discursive Operators: Indicate a point of view, set a spatial or temporal framework (e.g., in the northern provinces), or develop the topic (e.g., by the way, regarding).