The argumentative and the evaluative structures in two discourse types

Abstract

In this research study, we have attempted to carry out the analysis of a series of linguistic texts which can be regarded as being typical representatives of the argumentative and evaluative discourse types characteristically found in the mass media. In a broad sense, the present study aims to examine the operation of the evaluative and the argumentative component in two text classes: newspaper editorials and art reviews. In order to achieve this objective, six editorials and six reviews (four film and two play reviews), selected from different on-line newspapers and art specialist websites, were analysed along the lines dictated by the descriptive models chosen for the study. In a narrow sense, it attempts to examine whether argumentation is at the service of evaluation or viceversa, as well as any possible interdependence between them.