The specialty of journalism, like other professions, has its own characteristics. Here, the specialist is faced with the problem of finding a topic and its design in a text version. For the correct reflection of reality and the presentation of their own thoughts, a journalist needs first of all a perfect knowledge of the language and its modern norms, then possession of a literary talent that allows you to “feel” the words and intuitively distinguish their semantic features (and thereby integrate them harmoniously into the text), and finally, knowledge of the basics of textology, which will give an understanding of genres.
In this article, we will examine the main genres of journalism that are typical of periodicals. However, this does not mean that they are irrelevant for television or radio journalism, because they are characterized by a common semantic basis and structure of the text, and their main difference is only in application: some will be printed in publications, while others will be voiced by announcers or presenters.
Journalism Information Genres
Let's start with a description of the most common media genres today - information. Modern conditions dictate an accelerated pace of life: in a unit of time there are a lot of events that the public should know about, and it is this genre structure that can meet these requirements: turning on the TV, opening a newspaper or switching fm stations, we will definitely meet a summary of short messages that respond to the main questions: "What?" "Who?" "Where?" "When?" "How?".
This group of genres is common in electronic media and periodicals. It prevails where daily publication or broadcasting is required, therefore, magazines published with a rare frequency are not so saturated with informational texts.
Key representatives:
- the note;
- informational interview;
- information correspondence;
- reportage;
- information report;
- blitz survey.
The most common among them are reportage, a note and correspondence.
Characteristics for this group of genres:
- small volume;
- accuracy in expressions, lack of visual aids;
- lack of author's assessment of the highlighted event / phenomenon;
- factual characterization and content.
Analytical journalism
This group of genres is represented by a variety of species. They are currently not so common for periodicals and television, and for radio these are completely atypical genres. Nevertheless, there are specialized magazines and television programs devoted to the analysis of modern phenomena.
The main representatives of the genre:
- analytical report;
- analytical interview;
- analytical correspondence;
- conversation;
- monitoring
- a comment;
- article;
- review;
- review;
- journalistic investigation.
Such materials are among the most common. In television, in most cases, evening time is allocated to them, and in periodicals whole sections are allocated. In fact, they are very valuable for journalism as a social phenomenon, since they provide an opportunity for the author to express his own opinion and open the world to a new look at ordinary things.
Characteristic features of this group of genres:
- availability of author's assessment;
- a large amount of material;
- analytics;
- display of internal connections between events, phenomena and persons;
- prognostic assumptions.
Journalistic fiction
This group of genres makes journalism and literature as close as possible. Their mastery indicates a high level of skill of a journalist who is able not only to “get” information and analyze it, but also to submit it in an artistic form. These genres of journalism require a rich vocabulary, and most importantly - literary talent. Currently, they are not as widespread in periodicals, on television and radio, as before, but nevertheless they are found in specialized broadcasts and publications (mainly magazines). There is an opinion that today in the periodicals this journalism does not exist, however we will not adhere to the pessimistic point of view.
Key representatives:
- feature article;
- feuilleton;
- pamphlet;
- legend;
- joke.
So, the most striking representative of the genre is the essay, the features of which suggest the possibility of maximum disclosure of the literary talent of a journalist.
Genre Characteristics:
- Literature
- artistry (the presence of visual means in the text);
- emotional richness;
- deep understanding of reality (copyright).
The ease of mastering these genres of journalism depends more on the availability of literary talent in the author than on his professional skills and perfect knowledge of the language.