APPRAISAL SYSTEM IN NEWS ITEM

Abstract

This thesis relates to appraisal system in news item. It is aimed at describing evaluative
language used by journalists. Two news items from the different source exposing the same
topic, that is, the world‟s reaction on Hashimoto‟s comments dealing with the justification of
sex slavery practice by Japanese soldiers in World War II, are analysed based on attitude,
amplification and source aspects. It is qualitative research. The method of collecting data
applied is non-participant observation since the researcher is not involved in producing
utterances being studied. Referential identity method is applied in analyzing. The result
shows that negative attitude and amplification are dominant. In addition, the assessments in
source aspect are predominated by that of from other than the journalists. Moreover, the
modality coming from other than the journalists they are careful in giving additional voice.
On the contrary, the presence of concession indicates additional voice of the journalists.
Key words: Systemic Functional Grammar, appraisal system, news item