Articles, Op-Eds & Interviews Notes

Articles & Op-Eds

When analyzing an article, think of it as trying to understand both the message and the method—what the writer is trying to say and how they are saying it. Whether the article is informing you about current events, offering a critique, or simply exploring a topic, you need to examine the language, structure, and style to see how it all works together. Let’s break it down.

Understanding the Purpose and Type of Article

1. Is this article meant to report facts (like a news article), share an opinion (like an editorial), or provide an in-depth exploration of a topic (like a feature story)?
2. Knowing the type of article you’re dealing with helps guide your analysis. For example:
   1. A news article will be factual and objective, focusing on reporting events accurately.
   2. An opinion piece or editorial will express a viewpoint and aim to persuade or provoke thought.
   3. A feature article might mix facts with storytelling, often giving a more in-depth look at a person, event, or trend.

Identifying the Target Audience

1. The target audience affects the tone, language, and style of the piece.
   1. Is the article aimed at the general public, a specialized group of experts, or perhaps a specific demographic like teenagers or professionals?
2. The language will often give you clues about the audience.
   1. A scientific article in a journal will use more formal, technical language
   2. While an article in a lifestyle magazine might be more conversational and accessible.

Structure and Organization

1. Articles typically follow a clear structure to guide the reader through the information.
2. Most articles begin with a headline and lead paragraph to grab attention and summarize the key points, followed by the body, which develops the ideas or reports the facts, and a conclusion to wrap things up.
3. Look at how the article is structured:
   1. The headline is designed to capture attention. Does it summarize the article's key message, or is it provocative to draw readers in?
   2. The lead usually sets the tone and provides the most important information right up front, especially in news articles.
   3. The body contains the details—whether it’s factual reporting, personal commentary, or storytelling. Is the information presented logically and clearly?
   4. The conclusion may summarize the main points or offer a final reflection. In opinion pieces, this often includes a call to action or a challenge to the reader.

Language and Tone

1. Language reveals attitude and intent. Is the tone formal or informal, neutral or emotional, objective or biased? This will depend on both the purpose of the article and the audience.
2. News articles are often neutral and objective, using straightforward, factual language to report on events.
   1. There’s little use of emotive language or rhetorical devices, as the goal is to inform rather than persuade.
3. Opinion pieces or feature articles have more varied tones—it might be passionate, humorous, critical, or reflective, depending on the subject matter and the writer’s intent. Opinion articles often use more emotive language, rhetorical questions, and anecdotes to engage the reader.

Use of Evidence and Support

1. In most articles, especially news and opinion pieces, the writer will rely on evidence to support their claims or ideas. This might come in the form of:
   1. Facts and statistics: Factual information is often used to give weight to the article’s message.
   2. Quotations: These might be from experts, witnesses, or influential figures, adding credibility to the article.
   3. Anecdotes: Personal stories or real-life examples can help make the article more relatable and persuasive, especially in opinion or feature writing.

Bias and Perspective

1. Articles often reflect a particular bias or perspective.
   1. This doesn’t mean the article is misleading or untruthful, but it means the writer is presenting the information in a way that aligns with their viewpoint.
2. Look for signs of subjectivity.
   1. Are they omitting certain facts to make their argument stronger?
   2. Even news articles can sometimes show subtle biases in the way events are framed.

Persuasion and Rhetorical Techniques

1. Many articles, particularly opinion pieces and features, use rhetorical techniques to engage and persuade the reader. Look for devices like:
   1. Rhetorical questions: Used to provoke thought or suggest agreement with the writer’s viewpoint (“How can we ignore this crisis any longer?”).
   2. Emotive language: Words that evoke emotions, whether it’s anger, sympathy, or joy.
   3. Repetition: Reinforcing key points to drive home the message.
   4. Metaphors and analogies: Making complex ideas more relatable by comparing them to something familiar.

Overall Effectiveness

Consider how the article makes you feel. If it’s informing, persuading, or entertaining.

Summary Checklist for Article Analysis

1. Start by identifying the purpose and type of article: Is it a news report, an opinion piece, or a feature? What is the article trying to achieve—inform, persuade, entertain?
2. Consider the target audience: Who is this article written for, and how does the language and tone reflect that audience?
3. Analyze the structure and organization: How does the article flow? Is the information presented logically, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
4. Examine the language and tone: Is the language formal or informal, neutral or emotional? How does the tone affect the message?
5. Look at the evidence and support: Does the article use facts, quotes, or anecdotes to back up its points? Are these sources credible and relevant?
6. Consider any bias or perspective: Is the article objective, or does it reflect a particular viewpoint? How does this influence the way information is presented?
7. Identify persuasive and rhetorical techniques: Does the article use rhetorical questions, emotive language, or metaphors to engage or persuade the reader?
8. Evaluate the overall effectiveness: Does the article succeed in its purpose? Is the message clear and well-supported? How does it make you feel?

Interviews

Interviews provide a unique insight into the thoughts, experiences, or expertise of the interviewee, and the way this information is drawn out depends on the skill of the interviewer. Your job is to examine not only what’s being said, but also how the conversation is structured and why certain questions are asked. Let’s go through it together.

Understanding the Purpose and Context

1. Interviews can vary widely depending on the context—a celebrity interview in a lifestyle magazine will have a different tone and purpose than an in-depth political interview in a news publication.
2. Think about the context in which the interview takes place. Is the interview part of a larger article or series? Is it focused on promoting something (like a book or movie), or is it more focused on personal or societal issues?

The Role of the Interviewer

1. The interviewer plays a critical role in guiding the conversation. Take note of the questions they ask—are they open-ended, allowing the interviewee to elaborate, or are they more direct and focused on specific answers?
2. Consider how the interviewer frames the questions.
   1. Do they challenge the interviewee, ask follow-up questions, or allow them to speak freely?
   2. Some interviewers may push for deeper insights, while others might keep the tone light and conversational.

The Interviewee’s Responses

1. The responses of the interviewee are, of course, the heart of the interview. Pay close attention to the content of their answers. Are they detailed and thoughtful, or more vague and evasive? Do they stay on topic, or do they avoid certain subjects?
2. Think about the tone and style of the interviewee’s responses. Are they informal and conversational, or formal and authoritative? Are they using humor, emotion, or logic in their answers?

The Dynamic Between Interviewer and Interviewee

1. One of the most interesting aspects of an interview is the dynamic between the interviewer and the interviewee.
   1. Is there a sense of rapport and mutual respect, or is there tension or disagreement?
2. Consider how the interviewer reacts to the interviewee’s answers.
   1. Do they ask follow-up questions to clarify or challenge the response, or do they simply move on to the next question? How does the interviewee handle difficult or unexpected questions?

Structure and Flow of the Interview

1. The structure of the interview is key to understanding how the information is presented.
   1. Does the interview follow a clear, logical flow, starting with introductory questions and moving toward more complex or personal topics? Or does it jump from topic to topic?
2. Pay attention to how the conversation unfolds.
   1. Is there a progression in the questions that builds on previous answers, or does the interviewer switch gears suddenly?
   2. A well-structured interview will have a natural flow that keeps the reader or listener engaged.