Introduction
Hard news and soft news serve distinct roles in journalism, reflecting different styles, tones, and content objectives. Hard news delivers timely, factual, and often urgent information, while soft news offers background, human interest, or entertainment value. For this analysis, we’ll compare two articles from the same edition of The Times of India (Delhi edition, 12th September 2025).
Selected Articles
- Hard News: “India-Canada Diplomatic Row Escalates”
- Soft News: “Kolkata Artist Transforms Trash into Street Sculptures”
Hard News Article Analysis
1. Writing Style
- Formal, objective, and concise.
- Uses third-person reporting with quotes from government officials.
- No personal opinions or emotional expressions.
2. Structure
- Inverted Pyramid: The most critical facts are given first: Canada’s statement, India’s response, and the diplomatic implications.
- Followed by background context and reactions from analysts.
- Ends with potential next steps and international reactions.
3. Tone
- Serious and neutral.
- Language is direct, informative, and fact-based.
- Words like “condemned,” “summoned,” and “diplomatic fallout” convey urgency and gravitas.
Soft News Article Analysis
1. Writing Style
- Descriptive and narrative-driven.
- Includes metaphors and creative phrases: “turning garbage into gold.”
- Features direct quotes from the artist, adding a personal voice.
2. Structure
- Begins with an engaging anecdote: how the artist first started working with waste.
- Progresses through her journey, challenges, and motivations.
- Ends with the social impact of her work and future plans.
3. Tone
- Inspirational and emotional.
- Language highlights the positive transformation: “beauty in the mundane,” “hope from scraps.”
- Invokes empathy and admiration.
Comparison Summary
| Aspect | Hard News | Soft News |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Objective, factual | Descriptive, narrative |
| Structure | Inverted pyramid | Chronological or thematic |
| Tone | Neutral, serious | Emotional, engaging |
| Purpose | Inform | Entertain or inspire |
Conclusion
This analysis shows that hard and soft news serve different but complementary roles in journalism. Hard news focuses on immediacy and objectivity, informing readers of pressing events. In contrast, soft news provides depth, emotion, and relatability, enriching the reader’s understanding of society and culture. Together, they provide a balanced media diet essential for a well-informed public.