ARTICLE

OF
OPINION
 WHAT IS AN OPINION ARTICLE?

► The opinion article, also known as an opinion column,

is a text that aims to awaken a certain interest in
public opinion by addressing topics or problems in the
first person.
► The people who write their points of view in these
texts tend to be notable figures or those who have a
certain relevance in their specialties; For example,
they can be people related to politics, economics or
literature. These people will be called “columnists”.
► The articles of opinion usually appear in
newspapers or on certain Internet portals
and people who the they
 usually work of
consistently for each media outlet in which they appear.
► These texts can deal with any topic that the
communicator deems necessary to share, and their main
objective is to influence their readers with their opinion
so that they can come to their own reflection based on
what they are reading.
► In order to capture the attention of the recipient and to
make it quick and easy to read, the language used is
usually simple and familiar to readers. Despite belonging
to a particular newspaper, opinion articles do not usually
have any type of limitation when choosing how the
chosen topic will be addressed.
 GENRE OF OPINION ARTICLE
► There are certain controversies when it comes to
classifying what genre this type of text belongs
to. Some specialists consider that the opinion
article belongs to the journalistic genre because
it exposes a topic and gives its opinion in a
context related to journalism and information.
► Although it does not meet the characteristics of a
news story, it has certain similarities with it
because its themes are usually about current
problems.
► It can also be classified as a literary genre
because it is not news, but is simply a text
where the writer reflects and gives his
opinions on a certain topic.
► The opinion article does not have as its main
focus the facts of the news itself, but rather
what that person thinks and opinions about it.
 LANGUAGE AND STRUCTURE OF THE
ARTICLE
OF OPINION
► Opinion articles usually occupy a brief space
in newspapers and usually appear in a narrow
column next to a main news story or on a
specific page for these texts. The sentences
you have should be short and with simple
structures in order to obtain a quick and
clear reading text for your readers.
► A column should be structured as follows:
► In the first paragraph of the text, the topic that the article
 will discuss and its thesis must be presented.
► In the following paragraphs the arguments that will support the
columnist's thesis will be developed; Positive and negative
aspects and his or her opinion may be included.
► It will be essential to include a conclusion with the writer's
thoughts and ideas with which the text will end.
► The columnist must be sufficiently capable of persuading and
influencing the reader with his thoughts on the topic, for this
he must resort to all the tools he uses in relation to language
and the power of conviction.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ARTICLE
OPINION
1. SHORT:
It is a generally short writing (around 800 words) in which a
specialist or a person whose intellectual relevance is well
recognized expresses his or her particular point of view
regarding an issue, which may or may not be highly topical.
2. REPRESENTS THE AUTHOR'S PARTICULAR OPINION:
Unlike the editorial note, the opinion article is signed and
represents the particular opinion of its author. That author
may be part of the newspaper's staff or may have been
invited to contribute occasionally to that outlet.
3. MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS:
The topics discussed in the opinion articles are very diverse and the columnists
enjoy great expressive freedom to address them as they wish, leaving the tone
and perspective they will assume, as well as the level of formality with which
they plan to address them, to their personal discretion. their readers.
4. ATTRACTIVE AND ORIGINAL TITLE:
It is necessary that the opinion article have an original, attractive title, and no
more than two identifiable central ideas, to present itself as a solid unit of
meaning.
5. SUBJECTIVITY:
In the opinion article there is usually a certain subjectivity, as this message is
crossed by the thoughts and criteria of a given individual.
6. CALL FOR REFLECTION:
The purpose of an opinion article is to open debate, provoke reflection, and
provide a critical and personal look at any aspect of human reality.
7. SIMILAR TO THE TEST:
Due to its informative intention and its literary style, the opinion article
resembles the literary genre of the essay.
8. CLEAR LANGUAGE:
As for the language, the opinion article is free; in general the columnists try
to be clear enough to reach the entire public and so that their work has
maximum impact. At the same time, they seek to be less and original.
9. STRUCTURE OF THE OPINION ARTICLE:
As far as structure is concerned, although there are no rigid rules. In general,
first there is an introductory fragment of an explanatory-expository nature, to
put the reader on the topic, this is followed by the thesis and the argument,
the strongest part of the opinion article, since it is there where the author
expresses his opinion and Explain why you hold your point of view. The article
usually closes with a conclusion.
► 10. CLASSIFICATION:
MAIN TYPES OF OPINION ARTICLES: •COLUMNS . They are spaces reserved for
prestigious journalists (often called “columnists”) to express themselves,
adhering only to two guidelines: not exceeding the number of words
established by the newspaper for the column and expressing themselves with
sufficient clarity to reach the general reader, with its own seal.
• CRITICS. They are specific judgments about cultural events, generally
related to art (they can be reviews of films, plays, painting exhibitions, or
books). Gastronomic reviews are also very fashionable.
•FREE TRIBUNE. Some newspapers have space for the sporadic publication
of longer articles, written by people who are not information professionals,
but who have authoritative opinions on certain topics that may be of general
interest.
 Elements and basic structure of the
opinion article:
As we already saw, the opinion article does not have an exact
structure, since it does not follow norms or rules of writing or
format. However, it is possible to identify the following as main
elements:
THE TITLE AND THE THEME. These are the most basic elements.
THE INTRODUCTION OR ENTRY. The entry is always found in the
first paragraphs. It provides relevant but brief information; It can
be the topic that will be talked about and the spatio-temporal
location with respect to said topic.
 includes the author's analysis,
► THE
ARGUMENTATION
OPINION. In this U
element
with arguments or examples.
► THE CONCLUSION. Can
include as the author wishes,
you can even include a final
reflection on the topic.