Rachel Stuart

Dr. J.T. Taylor

ENC 3250
17 June 2015
Journal Analysis: A rhetorical analysis on the field of journalism
In the field of journalism, there are various genres that categorize each type of writing.
There could be broadcast, tabloid, fashion, celebrity, business, sport, citizen or environmental
journalism, just to name a few. But each genre typically has an overall idea that consumes the
main purpose of a journal article: its news-worthiness. Although an article is always written in a
specific way depending on the audience, the motives of the writer and its form of publication
everything follows the basic definition of journalism: to gather, assess, create and present
news and information to an audience.
Journal articles on the field of journalism typically tend to contain the main principles of
journalism, terms and actions that pertain solely to the field and, most importantly, credible
sources and information. Navigating through various journal articles, four main principles, or
ethical codes, are bound to make the pages at least once. The Society of Professional Journalists,
for example, states the codes of ethics as the following: seek truth and report it, minimize harm,
act independently and be accountable and transparent. Through these principles, journal articles
written on the field of journalism can deliver credible news and information.
In the academic journal article The U.S. Newspaper Industry in Transition, Suzanne
M. Kirchhoff reports the information that she knows and has researched on the transition through

history. As an analyst in industrial organization and business, Kirchhoff seems to mainly report
news journalism, focusing on how medicine, economics and advertising affect the industry.
Some of her scholarly work is seen through novels in which she has added her contribution,
including Medicare Primer, Economic Impacts of Prison Growth, Physician Practices:
Background, Organization and Market Consolidation and Advertising Industry in the Digital
Age. In terms of ethos, Kirchhoff has used several sources and supporting information to further
convince her audience of her credibility.
Kirchhoffs article appears in the Journal of Current Issues in Media and
Telecommunications, which consists of peer-reviewed coverage of the policies, laws, impact and
fast-moving developments in the field of telecommunications and media. This journal proves to
be credible and authoritative because it presents the latest research in the field of
telecommunications through six volumes, four issues each. In terms of credibility, it is apparent
that the journal consists of true and factual information because each academic article has
supporting information to backup statements that are being made. Special focus titles in the
journal include microalgae and other phototrophic bacteria, coastal ecosystems, laser ablation
and Western civilization. On its publishers website, it seems that the journal is edited by several
college and university professors, which makes the journal that much more credible and reliable
in the journalism field. The journal as a whole costs $295, and presents strict requirements for
contributing writers, showing that it takes careful thought and consideration for each article that
is published in the journal.
Throughout the article, Kirchhoff elaborates on the rapid decline of the newspaper
industry through history. Information that is reported dates back to the 1800s and is
supplemented by specific historical information, statistics and charts to further enhance the well-

researched information that is being presented to the audience. With the input of this specific
material, the article proves to be both credible and logical. For example, the article starts with the
statement, The popular press took off in the 1830s, with the creation of the so-called penny
press. With this, the article continues with the topic of yellow journalism and begins to go
through history and the transformations the newspaper has gone through.
Based on the typical structure of a journal article focusing on journalism, Kirchhoffs
work accurately follows the codes of ethics and allows the reader to get through her article
without any additional questions. An article focusing on the field of journalism usually contains
not only the basic information of the field, but where the form of journalism is headed in the
future. Most journalism articles are optimistic for the future industry, and Kirchhoffs article
illustrates this exact feeling. For example, in this specific journal article, she shares how the New
York Times threatened to close the Boston Globe, but then bounces back and says the problems of
distress are not uniform, as some large companies such as Gannett remain profitable.
Journalism is all about reporting news and information in an accurate and timely manner.
Writing and research in this specific field almost always brings up the fact that the newspaper
industry is declining. However, journal articles about the field typically turn around and remind
current and future journalists that just because the industry is dying, it doesnt mean journalism is
also dying. There will always be a need for information, whether in the form of print or digital.
Through writing a journal analysis on a specific field of interest, it is important to note the
similarities and differences between articles and other resources on the topic. Being able to
compare and contrast similar information allows the writer to better understand what works and
what doesnt work when composing work for an intended audience.