Apraisal Pattern in Editorial Text

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 70 views

Introduction

In the world of journalism, the editorial text plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing readers' perceptions of various issues. One of the key features of editorial texts is the use of evaluative language, also known as apraisal, which conveys the writer's attitudes, positions, and judgments about the events reported. This study aims to explore the use of apraisal in the editorial text of newspapers in Medan, Indonesia, based on systemic functional linguistic theory. The main focus of this study is to describe the patterns of apraisal in three main aspects: attitudes, positions, and granting, and to understand the reasons behind the pattern of use of apraisal in the editorial context in Medan.

Apraisal Pattern in Editorial Text

Apraisal Pattern of Attitude

In the analysis conducted, it was found that writers tend to use negative apraisal lexis, which can be seen in elements of affect, assessment, and appreciation. The use of this negative apraisal shows that the writer often focuses on sensitive events that can cause concern in society. This may be caused by the need to pay attention to the problems faced by the community, thereby increasing the awareness of the reader. For instance, in a news article about a natural disaster, the writer may use words like "devastating," "catastrophic," and "heartbreaking" to convey the severity of the event and the impact on the affected community.

Apraisal Pattern of Positioning

The editorial writer in Medan shows a tendency to use the negative position apraisal lexis. This can be seen from the way they report events that are less profitable or even ignore the positive things that occur. Thus, the reader will be more focused on the reported negative aspects, which can cause critical or skeptical thinking of existing conditions. For example, in a news article about a government policy, the writer may use words like "ineffective," "inequitable," and "unfair" to convey their negative position on the policy and to encourage readers to think critically about its implications.

Apraisal Graduation Pattern

In addition, there is a negative use of the Apraisal Graduation lexis, where the authors use the metaphor dominantly to describe the events that occur in the community. The use of this metaphor serves to strengthen the message to be conveyed, although sometimes it can worsen the public's perception of the reported situation. For instance, in a news article about a social issue, the writer may use metaphors like "a ticking time bomb" or "a cancer that needs to be cut out" to convey the severity of the issue and the need for urgent action.

Apraisal Structure as a Whole

Interestingly, the pattern of use of apraisal in the editorial text in Medan tends to follow the order of granting, positioning, and attitudes. This shows that the writer not only wants to express their opinions, but also wants to build a broader context of how the event is perceived by the community. For example, in a news article about a social issue, the writer may first provide background information on the issue (granting), then express their negative position on the issue (positioning), and finally convey their attitudes towards the issue (attitudes).

Analysis and Explanation

Using an analytical descriptive method, this research involves an analysis of thirty-two editorial texts from four different newspapers in Medan, with diverse themes such as religion, natural disasters, economics, entertainment, corruption, heroes, education, and politics. Data was analyzed with the help of the Simple Concordance Program (SCP) software, which allows researchers to identify patterns and trends in the use of evaluative language.

The results of this study can provide important insights on how the editorial text functions as a tool to form public opinion. In this context, the use of negative apraisal can be considered a strategy to attract the attention of the reader and trigger discussions about important issues. However, this also reminds us to always be critical of the information presented, especially when news is often focused on negative aspects rather than positive.

In the context of responsible journalism, it is essential for writers to balance their reports with a more holistic perspective. Reporting not only bad events, but also provides information about solutions or positive initiatives that may have been taken in dealing with the problem. Thus, the reader is not only exposed to the dark side of the news, but is also faced with hopes and actions that can be taken to improve the existing situation.

Conclusion

Overall, this research highlights how evaluative language can form community perceptions of relevant issues. By understanding apraisal patterns in the editorial text, we can be better prepared to be critical and knowledgeable readers, and actively participate in social dialogue around us. The findings of this study have implications for journalism and communication studies, highlighting the importance of responsible and balanced reporting in shaping public opinion and influencing readers' perceptions of various issues.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Journalists and writers should be aware of the use of evaluative language in their reports and strive to balance their reports with a more holistic perspective.
Readers should be critical of the information presented in the news and consider multiple sources before forming an opinion.
Media outlets should prioritize responsible and balanced reporting, providing information about solutions or positive initiatives that may have been taken in dealing with problems.
Communication studies should continue to explore the use of evaluative language in various contexts, including journalism, education, and politics.

By following these recommendations, we can promote responsible and balanced reporting, and foster a more informed and engaged public discourse.

Q: What is apraisal in the context of systemic functional linguistics?

A: Apraisal is a concept in systemic functional linguistics that refers to the use of evaluative language to convey attitudes, positions, and judgments about events, people, or things. It is a key feature of language that helps to shape public opinion and influence readers' perceptions of various issues.

Q: What are the three main aspects of apraisal?

A: The three main aspects of apraisal are:

Attitudes: This refers to the writer's emotional response to an event or issue, such as happiness, sadness, or anger.
Positions: This refers to the writer's stance or viewpoint on an issue, such as agreement or disagreement.
Granting: This refers to the writer's evaluation of the importance or relevance of an event or issue.

Q: What is the significance of apraisal in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan?

A: Apraisal is significant in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan because it helps to shape public opinion and influence readers' perceptions of various issues. By using evaluative language, writers can convey their attitudes, positions, and judgments about events and issues, and encourage readers to think critically about the information presented.

Q: What are some common types of apraisal used in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan?

A: Some common types of apraisal used in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan include:

Negative apraisal: This refers to the use of negative language to convey a writer's attitudes, positions, and judgments about events and issues.
Positive apraisal: This refers to the use of positive language to convey a writer's attitudes, positions, and judgments about events and issues.
Metaphorical apraisal: This refers to the use of metaphors to convey a writer's attitudes, positions, and judgments about events and issues.

Q: How can readers critically evaluate the information presented in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan?

A: Readers can critically evaluate the information presented in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan by:

Identifying the writer's attitudes, positions, and judgments: Readers should be aware of the writer's evaluative language and how it shapes their perception of the event or issue.
Considering multiple sources: Readers should consider multiple sources of information to get a more balanced view of the event or issue.
Evaluating the evidence: Readers should evaluate the evidence presented in the editorial text to determine its validity and relevance.

Q: What are the implications of this study for journalism and communication studies?

A: The implications of this study for journalism and communication studies are:

Responsible and balanced reporting: Journalists and writers should strive to balance their reports with a more holistic perspective, providing information about solutions or positive initiatives that may have been taken in dealing with problems.
Critical thinking: Readers should be critical of the information presented in the news and consider multiple sources before forming an opinion.
Media literacy: Media outlets should prioritize responsible and balanced reporting, and readers should be aware of the use of evaluative language in the news.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are:

Sample size: The study only analyzed 32 editorial texts from four different newspapers in Medan.
Contextual factors: The study did not consider contextual factors that may influence the use of apraisal in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan.
Cultural factors: The study did not consider cultural factors that may influence the use of apraisal in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan.

Q: What are the future directions for this research?

A: The future directions for this research are:

Expanding the sample size: The study should be replicated with a larger sample size to increase the generalizability of the findings.
Considering contextual factors: The study should consider contextual factors that may influence the use of apraisal in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan.
Examining cultural factors: The study should examine cultural factors that may influence the use of apraisal in the editorial text of the newspaper in Medan.