LINGUISTIC STRATEGIES FOR INFORMING AND GUIDING READER PERSPECTIVES IN JOURNALISTIC COMMENTARY

Abstract

In the era of digitalization and multi-dimensional information explosion, mass media does not merely serve as a channel for transmitting events but also as a space for constructing and shaping social cognitive trends. From a communication studies perspective, journalism serves as a vehicle for social supervision, criticism, and a key tool for guiding public opinion. This power does not exist in the abstract but is materialized through semiotic instruments; commentary pieces, in particular, manifest this power through specific linguistic strategies. To clarify the nature of this underlying mechanism, this article examines the methods of providing information and shaping public opinion within commentary works through three core elements: direct quotation, indirect quotation, and argumentation systems. The analytical process is rooted in modern textual linguistics. Specifically, utilizing Discourse Analysis (DA) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) on selected Vietnamese press commentaries from recent years, the study indicates that the flexible use of citation forms not only enhances objectivity but also establishes a solid foundation for sharp arguments. These strategies act as a structural framework navigating the psychological reception of the public. The findings show that the linguistic organization of commentary directly impacts reader cognition and the formation of social attitudes. Concluding the academic discourse, this study contributes to affirming the role of journalistic language in implementing the function of guiding public opinion today, while offering significant insights for professional journalistic training and practice.