In class we introduced a binary distinction between news stories and opinion pieces. This division is central to the way newspapers work in the US and Britain—and likely elsewhere, I'm not an expert.

News stories describe the world as it "is." This includes news analysis pieces, where a writer explains why, or even speculates about what will happen next. While news analysis often involves the writer's subjective judgement, nonetheless it is classified as "news" rather than "opinion."

By contrast, "opinion" pieces take a stand on what "ought to be." Where news stories are framed in the indicative, opinion pieces are framed in the subjunctive. They make arguments about what laws should and should not be passed, on what actions individuals should and should not take.