Evaluative Language and Ideological Positioning in Indonesian Online Editorials: An Appraisal Perspective

Abstract

The present study examines evaluative language and ideological positioning in the context of Indonesian online editorials, using the Appraisal Theory paradigm. The objective of this research is to find out how the appraisal system of Attitude, Engagement, and Graduation is used to construct the evaluation and representation of media ideology in the editorials of Kompas.com and Detik.com. The qualitative content analysis was conducted on two editorials published on March 17, 2026, regarding the supposed death of Iranian security officer Ali Larijani. Data were analyzed using Martin and White’s appraisal framework (2005) and Martin and Rose’s engagement and graduation systems (2007). The results show that Attitude is the most prominent appraisal system in both media, albeit with different inclinations. Judgement (38.46%) dominates Kompas.com, which means that the focus is more on assessing the behavior, capacity, and responsibility of social actors. On the contrary, Affect dominates Detik.com (43.48%), which shows more focus on emotional responses and reader interaction. Detik.com uses more strengthening tactics in the Graduation system, while Kompas.com balances the usage of strengthening and softening resources. For the Engagement system, both media are substantially dominated by Heterogloss, showing the frequent presence of outside voices for enhancing credibility and arguments. The study stresses that evaluative language in online editorials is not neutral but a discursive tactic to build ideological views and shape the reader’s interpretations of social and political events. The outcomes of this study contribute to the development of Appraisal studies and critical media discourse analysis in an Indonesian setting.