Lehtiteksti

Lehtiteksti is a text type used for newspapers and magazines. In Finnish, the term denotes articles intended for a general audience, presenting current events or issues in a clear, accessible manner. The aim is to inform readers, provide essential facts, and, when appropriate, offer context or multiple perspectives.

Typically lehtiteksti are factual and balanced, relying on reliable sources. They aim for accuracy and clarity rather than opinion or embellishment. While the core information is objective, background information, data, and quotes from sources may be included to explain significance and to illustrate different viewpoints.

Structure and style are characteristic features. Many lehtiteksti follow an inverted pyramid: the lede or lead paragraph summarizes the most important facts, followed by paragraphs that add detail, context, and background. Quotes are attributed to named sources, and information is verified. The language is concise and precise, often using neutral tone and straightforward syntax. Tense is chosen to suit the timing of events, typically past or present according to what is being described.

Forms and usage can vary. Within periodicals, lehtiteksti include news articles as well as more in-depth or background pieces that still prioritize factual reporting. They rely on identifiable sources such as officials, witnesses, or documents, and may include statistics, dates, and locations to ground the report.

Educational and media literacy relevance is notable in Finland. Lehtiteksti are used in schools to teach reading comprehension, information extraction, source evaluation, and summarizing. They also serve as a baseline for teaching journalistic writing, including headline creation, leads, and attribution. Overall, lehtiteksti form a foundational genre for public communication in print media.