Chronique

Chronique is a French term that denotes both a narrative of events in time and a recurring feature in media. Historically, it referred to a chronicle, a record of events arranged chronologically, often produced by medieval writers such as monks to document political, military, and social occurrences. In contemporary usage, chronique can describe regular journalistic or literary pieces that present commentary, observations, or summaries on a chosen topic.

Etymology traces the word to Latin chronica and Greek chronika, through Old French chronique, all related to time and order. The sense evolved from a plain chronological account to include interpretive and opinionated elements, especially when produced as a stand-alone column or segment.

In journalism and broadcasting, a chronique is typically a recurring column or feature written by a chroniqueur. Subjects span politics, culture, society, or current events, and the tone can be factual, analytical, or personal. The form is common in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, with segments often titled as "Chronique X" or simply "la chronique." The purpose is to offer insight within a regular, recognizable format.

In literature and historical writing, chronique can refer to a historical narrative or a documented account of a period. The term may be used to describe works that blend reportage with interpretive narrative, or to categorize passages within chronicles.

See also: Chronicle, Column (journalism).