Understanding Newspaper Opinion Genres: Editorials and Columns

Understanding Newspaper Genres

The Editorial

The editorial is an article expressing the newspaper's official opinion on current events or issues. It often includes appeals to authorities or the public to take action on controversial topics.

• Issuer: The newspaper itself (typically drafted by a team under the director's supervision).
• Format: Unsigned and located in a fixed position near the newspaper's masthead.
• Style: Combines exposition and argumentation. It maintains a calm, objective tone, avoiding outbursts, irony, or mockery.
• Structure:
  • Introduction: Summarizes the significant event and presents the thesis.
  • Development: Provides explanations and supporting arguments.
  • Conclusion: Summarizes the reasoning and may suggest future actions or questions.

The Opinion Piece

Opinion pieces—including columns, open forums, and remarks—discuss topics of current interest or significance. Unlike editorials, these are signed by the author.

• Authorship: Written by prestigious staff writers or occasional specialists (scientists, politicians, intellectuals).
• Perspective: Views do not necessarily reflect the newspaper's ideological line.
• Style: Highly subjective and varied. These texts often function as "small trials" with a strong literary tradition.
• Structure: Offers greater freedom than the editorial, though it often follows a tripartite structure with particularly engaging opening and closing paragraphs.

Letters to the Editor

A letter to the editor is a reader-submitted opinion on any subject. These submissions must be signed, include identification (DNI), and adhere to specific length and submission guidelines. The style should remain clear, precise, and correct.