Understanding Essay and Journalistic Genres

Characteristics of the Essay Genre

The essay belongs to the didactic prose genre and is defined as a letter of variable length. The author addresses a subject through a subjectively objective, argumentative procedure.

• Size of Subject Matter: Can cover any topic, though current and humanistic issues are most common.
• Subjectivity: The author conveys personal thoughts, opinions, criticisms, and experiences.
• Open Structure: The author makes no commitment to a rigorous treatment of the subject, though it usually follows an argumentative structure.
• Lively, Dynamic, and Suggestive Style: Spreads theory on a topic in a simple, clear, and attractive manner.
• Use of Literary Procedures: The author may employ aesthetic or literary elaboration to make the subject more engaging.

Structure of an Essay

• Presentation: Introduction of the topic.
• Development: Uses objective arguments, authority, ad populum appeals, proverbs, examples, or common sense.
• Conclusion: Deductions reached by the author after the argument.

Featured Journalistic Genres

These genres are characterized by transmitting information and ideological orientations to an audience. Their aim is to inform and provide an opinion on specific topics. Journalistic subgenres are classified into two groups:

• Information-Dominant: News, reports, and interviews.
• Opinion-Dominant: Editorials, articles, columns, and chronicles.

News Features

Objective information regarding a recent, relevant event. Usually arranged as follows: Head, Lead (or appetizer), and Body.

Feature Article Review

A type of essay published in a newspaper. Features include:

• Covers any subject.
• Predominant subjectivity.
• Signed by the author.
• Structure: Suggestive head and argumentative body.

Editorial

Focuses on a relevant current theme. It represents the ideology of the newspaper and is unsigned or carries the newspaper's logo. Structure: Suggestive head and argumentative body.

Column

Focuses on a significant or current theme. It is dominated by the author's subjectivity, appears in a fixed space, and is signed. Structure: Suggestive head and argumentative body.

Chronicle

A variety of news items that alternate objectivity with subjectivity, often including anecdotes and curiosities. Frequently written by a fixed correspondent. Structure: Open head and body or inverted pyramid.