4
   

Using multiple POV in an article

 
 
librax
 
Reply Fri 28 Aug, 2015 05:46 am
when writing an article, is it wrong to use more than one point of view? Is it okay to use second and third or first and second person in a single article?
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Question • Score: 4 • Views: 962 • Replies: 2
No top replies

 
jespah
 
  2  
Reply Fri 28 Aug, 2015 06:11 am
@librax,
Articles are generally intended to be short and to express a point of view while (perhaps; you don't really do this if it's a slanted editorial, which is a perfectly legitimate form of an article) giving some voice to other POVs.

Let's say the article was about building a new highway in town. If you're for it, then by all means most of the article is going to be the positives. With good research, you should be showing what other people think, such as through quotes lifted from transcribed interviews. The mayor came out in favor of the proposal. The corner grocer said, "I like the idea." Etc.

Same thing for the other side of things. Such as, the schoolteacher said, "There will be too much traffic." The restaurant owner said he thought it would make the town too noisy. Etc.

Keep the same tense unless you are quoting someone, then quote them correctly and don't change the tense. Such as, I spoke with the governor, and she said, "I am sure that it will be very expensive." The act of you speaking with her is past tense as you have already done it, but her quote is in present tense.
0 Replies
 
Ragman
 
  1  
Reply Fri 28 Aug, 2015 06:13 am
@librax,
There's nothing wrong with doing that as long as it is clear that you're representing differing points of view. If you read many news articles (not in editorials), it is done all of the time. You have to attribute the person's opinion through quotes or paraphrasing their words as long as you're being clear of the authorship where that opinion comes from.

Be mindful of keeping the proper tense when writing in the present tense and in the active voice when not quoting other opinions. As the voice of the reporter...as you report..stay in the active voice and in the present when it's appropriate as the author or reporter.
0 Replies
 
 

 
  1. Forums
  2. » Using multiple POV in an article
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.03 seconds on 04/25/2024 at 01:42:10