The agency of emotion and ethos in chronicles from the journalistic sphere

Abstract

This work is based on the concept of speech genres, according to Bakhtin, in the studies about carnavalization developed by the same author based on Rabelais’ work. The paper discusses the way the carnavalization and the new journalism emerge in journalistic chronicles, mainly on those that approach polemic subjects or constitute targets of censure (moral, religious, political, etc.) though the analysis of four chronicles published in printed newspapers. The article also presents a refl ection over the management of emotion and authorial position (ethos) moved by the presence of carnavalization and new journalism signs, that allow the author to: (1) parody the reality form his/her conceptual horizon, reframing it; (2) give the chronicles a universal and popular accent; (3) generate an approximation effect between the reader and the author; (4) increase the emotional charge shared by the reader-author in and through the texts; (5) attenuate his/her responsibility towards the discourse content through the refraction of his/her speech in the character’s voices.