Definition of Articles – For those of you who have a habit of reading, especially non-fiction reading songs, surely you often hear the word or term article. Articles themselves are very easy to find in everyday life, both from magazines, newspapers and online media. Maybe you realize it or not, that right now you are reading an article.
In addition, for those of you who have worked on assignments or scientific writing projects, surely you are used to searching for scientific articles through the Google search engine. Through Google, there are many types of articles that you can find very easily, starting from Google Scholar, Scopus, and so on.
However, what exactly is the meaning of the article? This article will explain all the ins and outs of the article. Complete with a discussion on the meaning, purpose, characteristics, structure, language rules, and of course the example of the article itself.
A. Definition of Article
An article can be understood as a series or essay based on facts and opinions to be published in the media, be it print media, online media, even now many articles are uploaded on social media. Writing the article itself actually has the goal of conveying an idea that contains data and facts. The ideas in the article can ultimately educate, entertain, and also provide entertainment suggestions for readers.
In addition, topics, themes or ideas in an article can be presented in the form of opinions. This opinion is usually used to respond to a problem that occurs in the community as well as provide a solution to the problem. The thing that needs to be considered in writing articles is that all opinions and solutions submitted must depart from facts and accurate data, so that articles can be tested for truth.
B. Purpose of the Article
After knowing the meaning of the article, this section will explain the purpose of the article. The purpose of each writing must be different, for example, the purpose of procedural text and explanatory text. Procedure text has the aim of giving instructions to the reader. Meanwhile, the purpose of explanatory text is to explain and describe something.
The purpose of the article itself can be seen using 2 points of view, namely the goal of the author of the article and the goal of the reader. The following is an explanation of the 2 objectives of the article, including:
1. The purpose or benefits obtained by the author of the article, as follows:
a. Means for conveying ideas,
b. Means to think systematically,
c. Means of publication of scientific ideas,
d. Means to describe or discuss the main issues that have been determined by researchers,
e. Means to explain or discuss a problem according to a particular field of knowledge.
2. The purpose or benefits that can be obtained by the reader of the article, as follows:
a. Means of obtaining knowledge and information
b. Means for educating
c. Entertainment for readers
C. Characteristics of the Article
After you understand the meaning and purpose of the article, both from the perspective of the author and the reader, then you will be invited to learn about the characteristics of the article. The characteristics of the article can be used to distinguish one article from another. In particular, you can use article characteristics to identify an article.
So, here are the characteristics of the article that need attention, including:
1. Articles are written concisely, concisely, and clearly
An article must be written and structured using concise, concise, and clear language. The author of the article aims to make it easier for readers to understand the contents of the article. In addition, articles should also use communicative and long-winded language. This is what makes some parties often refer to articles as popular scientific works.
2. The contents of the article contain facts and opinions
Furthermore, the second feature of the article is that the article submitted must contain facts and opinions based on an objective point of view, not cornering one party, and equipped with supporting data that has been tested for truth. This is because all the writing in an article is actually an event that actually happened or is real and not an imaginative composition of an author.
3. Articles use formal, straightforward, and effective language
Next, the third feature of the article is the use of formal language as well as direct and effective sentences. This is intended so that the article has more solid and contained content.
4. Writing articles is made systematically
Then, the fourth feature of the article is the writing that is made systematically in certain parts. Systematic writing can basically make it easier for readers to understand the contents of the article.
5. Factual and informative
Finally, the characteristic of an article is that it must be factual and informative. Articles that are factual can basically be understood as an article that is written based on reality and contains the truth. Meanwhile, informative articles contain the intention to provide information that departs from research results, so that the truth can be accounted for.
D. Article Structure
Every text must have a structure, as well as articles. The structure itself can be used to compose the outline of a text. In general, the structure of an article has three parts, starting from the opinion or thesis section, the argumentation section, to the restatement or reiteration section. The following is a discussion of the three parts of the article structure, including:
1. Statement of opinion or thesis
The first part of the article is a statement of opinion or thesis. This section usually has a function as the opening of the article which consists of an orientation or introduction stage of the contents of the article to be discussed. Therefore, this section usually contains important actual explanations so that it can be used as a foundation in discussing an article.
2. Arguments
Then, the content part of the article is argumentation. In this argumentation section, the article contains an explanation of the main issues that are being discussed and discussed in a factual and informative manner.
3. Restatement
The last part is the closing or restatement section. In this section, the article will contain key sentences that summarize various explanations in the form of conclusions.
E. Article Language Rules
After knowing the meaning, purpose, characteristics, to the structure of the article. In this section, we will explain the language rules of the article. Like other texts, articles also have linguistic rules or commonly known as language features. The following are language rules that need to be considered when writing or identifying an article, including:
1. Adverbs
Adverbs are often used in articles to describe the expression of the author’s attitude so that it can be more convincing to the reader.
2. Active Voice
Active voice in an article is usually used to explain something. This sentence basically has an active subject so it is usually called an active sentence. Examples of active sentences that are often used in articles, for example, are you playing a game.
3. Conjunctions or Conjunctions
In an article many use connecting words or conjunctions to connect one sentence with another sentence. Some connecting words that are commonly used in articles, namely as then, after that, therefore, however, and so on.
4. Mental, Material, and Relational Verbs
In an article many use mental, material and also relational verbs. This word is usually used to describe the feelings or actions of the writer. Examples of the use of mental verbs in articles, namely, passion for mental verbs, reading for material verbs, are for relational verbs.
5. Additional Vocabulary
To make articles more interesting and of high quality, article writers usually use a lot of additional vocabulary and scientific terms when writing.
F. Types of Articles
After discussing various article materials, the following will explain the types of articles. When differentiated based on the method of delivery and level of difficulty, articles have four types, namely practical articles, light articles, opinion articles, and expert analysis articles or scientific articles. So, here is an explanation of the four types of articles, including:
1. Practical Articles
A practical article can be defined as an article that focuses on skills rather than knowledge development. This article is usually more likely to be narrative in nature or it can also be said as a message that is arranged based on the sequence of time, events or stages. Examples of practical articles are articles that discuss instructions for making something or how to fix something to how to operate something.
2. Light Article
The second type of article is a light article, a light article basically discusses light issues so it doesn’t really require deep understanding or thought. In making and writing light articles, writers usually present jokes or humor articles so that they can give an entertaining impression to readers. However, readers still get useful information from light articles. Some examples of these light articles can be found on various social media platforms, youth magazines, to blogs on the internet.
3. Opinion Articles
The third type of article is an opinion article. Opinion articles themselves can be understood as an article that discusses an issue based on the opinion or opinion of the author. In making opinion articles, writers usually present some strong supporting data to support readers, so that they become more confident and trust the opinions conveyed.
Broadly speaking, basically all articles are included in opinions. However, this type of article discusses a particular topic in great depth. Therefore, opinion articles are usually written by a writer who is an expert or focuses on discussing a particular topic.
You can find opinion articles in a special section in mass media, such as newspapers or magazines. This special section is usually referred to as a rubric or opinion column, for example, such as editorials or editorials, and so on.
4. Expert Analysis Article
The last type of article is an expert analysis article or also known as a scientific article. This article can be said to be the most “serious” type of article compared to other articles. These expert analysis articles or scientific articles usually contain a systematic report on the results of a study or research, such as a thesis, thesis, dissertation or other research.
One of the characteristics of this article is the way it is presented which is not at length, but also does not reduce its scientific value. These articles are often published in various scientific journals. In addition, the difference between this article and other articles is the method of communication used. Expert analysis articles prioritize standard or scientific language. Meanwhile, articles usually use popular language, so they are often called popular articles.
F. Sample Article
The First Flower Blossomed in Space
“The zinnia plant flower was the first flower to bloom on the international space station.”
After discussing the meaning, characteristics, structure, and types of articles, let’s try to look at an example from the article. What type of article do you think below, guys?
Is there possibly life in outer space?
The question that underlies various research in outer space was answered when the United States astronaut, Scott Kelly, uploaded a photo of the blooming flowers of a zinnia orange plant to his Instagram, Saturday (16/1/2016).
The orange blossom managed to bloom on the International Space Station (ISS). Previously, this type of vegetable lettuce was successfully grown in space. Parties to the US Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said zinnia oranges were chosen because they were more difficult to grow than lettuce.
Kelly’s mission with the Russian cosmonaut, Mikhail Korniyenko, is to research the long-term effects of life in space. The research is to see if there are opportunities for gardening in space.
The hope is that this can also be done on Mars. Zinnia oranges are grown using a method established by the NAS Veggie program which has been running since 2014.
The plant grows from a “cushion” full of fertilizer, seeds, water, and clay—which is illuminated by LED (light emitting diode) lights.
This is a discussion of the meaning of the article , complete with the purpose of the article, the characteristics of the article, the structure of the article, the language rules of the article, the types of articles, and examples of articles. It is hoped that this article will make it easier for you to learn Indonesian language subject matter. For those of you who are curious about other Indonesian material, you can look for other material on the Sinaumedia blog website.