Objectivity and narrative in contemporary reporting: A formal analysis

Ralph E. Hanson

doi:10.1525/si.1997.20.4.385

Objectivity and narrative in contemporary reporting: A formal analysis

Ralph E. Hanson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Traditionally, Americans have held the ideal that newspapers should transmit knowledge to readers by giving "objective" accounts of official events. This article argues that many news stories have extended objectivity through the use of narrative. Stories attempt to evoke feelings in the reader by drawing on a shared stock of knowledge held by members of society through the use of narrative storytelling techniques rather than attempting to transmit neutral information through the form of objectivity.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	385-396
Number of pages	12
Journal	Symbolic Interaction
Volume	20
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1525/si.1997.20.4.385
State	Published - 1997
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Nursing
Social Psychology
Education
Communication
Sociology and Political Science
General Social Sciences

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10.1525/si.1997.20.4.385

Cite this

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Objectivity and narrative in contemporary reporting: A formal analysis

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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