The Language of News Chapter 5 “I always thought writing was the foundation and the basis for journalism in the same way being able to draw is the foundation for art.”-- Bob Schieffer, American Journalist

The Language of News Understand the meaning of the words you use and use them properly. Understand the meaning of the words you use and use them properly. Learning what words mean and using them appropriately are basic skills a journalist must possess. Look up the word in a dictionary or style book if you are not sure if you are using it correctly. Use a different word if you are not sure. Learning what words mean and using them appropriately are basic skills a journalist must possess. Look up the word in a dictionary or style book if you are not sure if you are using it correctly. Use a different word if you are not sure. People expect more of journalists, who must master the English language. People expect more of journalists, who must master the English language. When news organizations hire a new reporter, they look for someone who understands and respects the language, knows spelling and grammar, possesses an extensive vocabulary and writes in a clear and interesting manner. When news organizations hire a new reporter, they look for someone who understands and respects the language, knows spelling and grammar, possesses an extensive vocabulary and writes in a clear and interesting manner.

Attention to Detail! While even careful writers can make mistakes, if the errors are not caught and become too numerous, they can damage a news organization’s credibility and force it to print or broadcast embarrassing corrections. While even careful writers can make mistakes, if the errors are not caught and become too numerous, they can damage a news organization’s credibility and force it to print or broadcast embarrassing corrections. The importance of precise writing—the correct choice of words can make a sentence forceful and interesting; imprecision creates confusion and misunderstanding. The importance of precise writing—the correct choice of words can make a sentence forceful and interesting; imprecision creates confusion and misunderstanding. Use strong, descriptive verbs to help readers or listeners envision the events described in the stories. Use strong, descriptive verbs to help readers or listeners envision the events described in the stories. With your words you can paint a vivid picture for readers and listeners. With your words you can paint a vivid picture for readers and listeners.

Avoid clichés– like the plague! Be careful with adjectives and adverbs since they tend to be less forceful, specific and objective than nouns and verbs. Most adjectives and adverbs waste space by stating the obvious, and they may unintentionally inject a reporter’s opinion into the story. (See examples page 99) Be careful with adjectives and adverbs since they tend to be less forceful, specific and objective than nouns and verbs. Most adjectives and adverbs waste space by stating the obvious, and they may unintentionally inject a reporter’s opinion into the story. (See examples page 99) Also avoid clichés—these are words or phrases that writers have heard and copied over and over. “Only time will tell” is the worst cliché, often used by inexperienced or lazy writers to end a story. (see full page of clichés on page 101) Also avoid clichés—these are words or phrases that writers have heard and copied over and over. “Only time will tell” is the worst cliché, often used by inexperienced or lazy writers to end a story. (see full page of clichés on page 101)

Avoid Slang– Snap! Also try to avoid slang—feature stories and personality profiles sometimes employ slang effectively, but it is inappropriate in straight news stories because it is too informal and can be annoying. Also try to avoid slang—feature stories and personality profiles sometimes employ slang effectively, but it is inappropriate in straight news stories because it is too informal and can be annoying. Also, slang may baffle or confuse readers who are not of the right age or ethnic group to “get” the slang reference. Also, slang may baffle or confuse readers who are not of the right age or ethnic group to “get” the slang reference. Technical language and jargon should also be avoided. Most jargon is abstract, wordy, repetitious and confusing. Technical language and jargon should also be avoided. Most jargon is abstract, wordy, repetitious and confusing. Many sources reporters routinely use such as doctors, lawyers, business people, technical reports and police and court records, speak in jargon. Many sources reporters routinely use such as doctors, lawyers, business people, technical reports and police and court records, speak in jargon. Journalists must translate that jargon into plain English for a mass audience. Instead of “perpetrator” use “suspect”; instead of “affiant” use “arresting officer.” Journalists must translate that jargon into plain English for a mass audience. Instead of “perpetrator” use “suspect”; instead of “affiant” use “arresting officer.”

Euphemisms, Platitudes and Gush-- Oh My! Also avoid: Also avoid: Euphemisms: vague expressions used in place of harsher, more offensive terms. Examples: saying that a woman is “expecting” rather than “pregnant.” “Passed away” instead of “died.” “Collateral damage” for “civilian victims.” “Harvesting” deer or buffalo instead of hunting (and killing) them. “Faith-based” groups for religious groups/churches. Euphemisms: vague expressions used in place of harsher, more offensive terms. Examples: saying that a woman is “expecting” rather than “pregnant.” “Passed away” instead of “died.” “Collateral damage” for “civilian victims.” “Harvesting” deer or buffalo instead of hunting (and killing) them. “Faith-based” groups for religious groups/churches. Platitudes: these are dull, trite, obvious remarks that state the obvious. (see examples page 105). Platitudes: these are dull, trite, obvious remarks that state the obvious. (see examples page 105). Gush: writing with exaggerated enthusiasm. News stories should report useful information. They should not hype, praise or advocate—the sources you quote or paraphrase can do that, but the reporter should not. (examples, page 106) Gush: writing with exaggerated enthusiasm. News stories should report useful information. They should not hype, praise or advocate—the sources you quote or paraphrase can do that, but the reporter should not. (examples, page 106)

Keep “I” and “me” out of news stories Avoid first-person references (using “I” and “me” in news stories). Avoid first-person references (using “I” and “me” in news stories). Journalists should remain neutral bystanders. They should not mention themselves in news stories. Journalists should not use the words “I,” “me,” “we,” or “us,” except in a direct quote from someone interviewed for the story. Journalists should remain neutral bystanders. They should not mention themselves in news stories. Journalists should not use the words “I,” “me,” “we,” or “us,” except in a direct quote from someone interviewed for the story. Avoid excessive punctuation such as exclamation points, dashes and parenthesis. Exclamation points are rarely necessary. Parentheses interrupt the flow of ideas and force people to pause and try to figure out some additional bit of information. Avoid excessive punctuation such as exclamation points, dashes and parenthesis. Exclamation points are rarely necessary. Parentheses interrupt the flow of ideas and force people to pause and try to figure out some additional bit of information.