We explain what a chronicle is and the types of chronicles that exist. In addition, we explain what their characteristics are and how to write a chronicle.
The chronicle addresses real and true events in a verifiable context.
What is chronicle?
A chronicle is a narration that relates a series of events ordered in timewith some relevance, and that are of some interest, whether journalistic, historical or literary.
The origins of the word point to Greek kronikaderived from kronos (meaning “time”)from which it can be deduced that the term refers to a series of events ordered according to their timeline. The first chronicles of which we have knowledge were, precisely, reports of facts ordered according to the historical moment in which they occurred.
At the moment, The chronicle is considered a hybrid or two-headed narrative genre.halfway between the literary and the journalistic, since it lacks the imaginative freedoms of literary fiction, but uses the formal resources of literature.
In journalism, the chronicle functions as a record that enriches the story of current events, providing it with an interest, depth and nuances that the news format does not always allow.
See also: Informative and opinion genres
Features of the chronicle
We can define the chronicle through the following characteristics:
- It is a story. The chronicle is fundamentally a story, and, as such, it tells stories with a plot, a beginning, a middle and an end.
- Uses literary resourcesThe chronicle is not trapped in the objectivity of journalistic language, but can use literary resources, such as rhetorical figures, which enrich the elaboration of the story.
- It is a two-headed genusGabriel García Márquez, novelist and journalist, defined a chronicle as “a story that is true.” A chronicle can combine the informative rigor of journalism with the expressive richness of literature.
- It focuses on one or more characters.. It has a main character, who is the one who is crossed by the conflict that is narrated. This, in turn, may be accompanied by secondary characters.
- It has tension and climax. Like any good story (and a chronicle is one), it is a story that has a beginning, middle and end, for which it also uses the tension that unites the narrative and the climax that gives way to its solution.
- There is a main conflict. The narrative revolves around a conflict or event that the main character goes through.
- Comprises a specific period of timeThe events that are narrated are limited to a defined time frame.
- It has a creative and appellative title. From the freedoms of literature, the chronicle takes the possibility of appealing to creativity to attract the reader’s attention from the first moment, in the title itself.
- Admits the subjectivity of its author. The perspective of the writer is also admitted in the chronicle. His way of seeing things, interpreting them and relating them makes the story he transmits unique.
Structure of the chronicle
The chronicle is an essentially narrative genre, where A story is told in which characters and A conflict develops in a given space and time. For this reason, its textual structure adheres to the three Aristotelian principles of beginning, middle and end.
- Start. It presents the initial situation of the characters, the time and place where the story is located, and the conflict that runs through them is introduced.
- Knot. It is the development of the conflict and the part where the way in which the characters face it is fully exposed.
- OutcomeIt is the resolution of the conflict raised by the plot and the point where the transformation of the characters is shown after everything they had to go through.
The journalistic chronicle, for its part, must comply with certain structural requirements, specific to the format in which it is presented. It must contain a title, a lead, a body of the text and a conclusion.
- Headline. It is the name that describes the chronicle. Ideally, it should spark the reader’s interest and suggest the topic to be developed.
- Introduction. This is the first paragraph of the chronicle and contains some of the key elements of the story (main character, time and place), as well as what the chronicle will be about. It is essential to capture the reader’s attention.
- Body. It is the bulk of the text, where the facts are actually narrated in a more detailed way, giving greater context and informing the reader of all the relevant data to accompany the story.
- Conclusion. It is the part where the text closes and where the resolution of the theme and the event that was narrated are told. It may contain a final reflection.
Types of chronicle
journalistic chronicle
The journalistic chronicle is a genre of journalism that, without neglecting the informative nature and documentary rigor of journalism, turns to literature to borrow rhetorical tools to generate a greater impact on the reader.
Depending on their approach, the type of stories they cover or the subject matter they address, we can say that there are the following types of journalistic chronicles:
- News report. It focuses on the informative nature of the story. Try to delve deeper into the data or information being handled. It does not include the opinion or reflection of its author. An example would be the progressive escalation of inflation in a given country.
- Interpretive chronicle. The author plays a key role in the interpretation of the events, which he tries to make sense of and explain to his audience. For example, the situation of low-income families in the face of inflation in the country and the government response to the crisis.
- Opinion chronicleThe author of the chronicle is an eyewitness to the events he narrates, and he tells them from his point of view, based on his experience. An example of this would be the chronicle about the situation of families facing inflation in a country, but this time with permission to include the opinion and perspective of the chronicler himself.
- white chronicle. One or more authority figures on a subject are used and, based on their vision, based on their experience and knowledge, an attempt is made to explain an event. For example, it is explained, through the voices of several economists, how inflation escalated to current levels.
- Police, crime or crime report. It tells about cases related to crime, criminal acts, ongoing investigations. An example of this would be the reconstruction of a crime through a narrative in chronicle format.
- Political Chronicle. It focuses on facts or events within the framework of the exercise of politics and power. For example, the chronicle of the electoral campaign of a presidential candidate.
- Sports Chronicle. It refers to relevant events in the world of sport. For example, the story of a tennis player recovering from an injury to win one of the most important Opens of the year.
- Social Chronicle. It focuses on issues that affect the social life of a country or community. Tell the genesis of an outbreak due to high fuel prices due to inflation, for example.
- travel chronicle. It tells all the details of a specific trip. They usually arouse great tourist interest. The narration of the car trip through Baja California and its charms is an example of this type of chronicle.
Literary chronicle
The literary chronicle is the narration of real events (or imaginary, but framed in real contexts) using resources from fiction literaturesuch as rhetorical figures, delay, tension or climax, which pursue an aesthetic effect.
Two classic examples of this genre are: Story of a castawayby Gabriel García Márquez, and Cold-bloodedby Truman Capote.
Historical chronicle
The historical chronicle is the detailed account of events that occurred in a specific place (a country, a region, a locality). It records events chronologically in order to give an account of how the events referred to occurred.
A classic example of historical chronicle are those that the Spanish wrote following their arrival in America. They had an informative objective, to inform the Crown of what had been discovered, the news of the so-called New World, and the characteristics of its inhabitants.
The historical chronicle, in addition, can be written by a person who himself witnessed the events (a witness), or by a chronicler, who compiles information (letters, documents, testimonies, other chronicles) to write the chronicle.
How to make a chronicle?
There are many ways to approach writing a story. Here we suggest the essential steps to writing a good story that will captivate and captivate the reader.
- Choose an event. The main thing is to choose the event that you are going to narrate, whether it is assigned to you or you can choose it from several.
- Get informed. Use reliable sources of information and compare them with journalistic rigor. Avoid exaggerating or underestimating facts. In this sense, the chronicle must be as objective as news.
- Apply the six questions. The information must be provided in its entirety. Although not in the same order as the news, here we also answer what, how, when, where, who and why.
- Gives an angle. Think about the point of view from which you are going to tell the story. It can be that of the main character of the story or that of a character who observes the events but does not participate in them (such as a witness).
- Write in a simple way. Use simple language that is clear and concise, suitable for a wide audience.
- Narrates. Develop the beginning, the middle and the end. A chronicle must be constructed in such a way that the elements of the story are in tension with each other.
- Define the conflictIn every story there is a conflict that drives the entire narrative. Having defined the conflict will make it easier for you to move forward in the narrative until it is resolved.
- Structure chronologically. Unlike the news, where you start with the most recent information about the event, in the chronicle you must present the information chronologically, starting with the oldest information. In a chronicle about the arrival of a hurricane on an island, we can start with the preparations of the previous days.
- Hooks upTo grab the reader from the first line, build interest. Don’t give away all the information from the start (like a news story would). Create anticipation as the story unfolds.
- Excites. Evoke the emotions of your readers, connect with them, allow them to identify with the characters and their story.
- Edit. Review, correct and prune everything that is not essential to the story you want to tell.
Chronicle example
Below, a chronicle by Gabriel García Márquez, originally published on June 6,…