Journalistic Style and Definitions

Journalistic writing is a genre that is used to report news stories in a variety of formats, such as magazines and newspapers.

Journalistic Definition

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Characteristics of Journalistic Writing

Journalistic writing reports news and information in many different media formats. The news is often reported in short and simple sentences, and the purpose is to inform the reader about events and other news. Writers of the journalistic genre are trained to write and report in a certain way that both entertains and informs, and is easy to understand. Journalistic writing can include pictures with captions and direct quotes, and is written in the third person; it is generally not about the writer’s opinion, but sometimes it is included.

There are clear and concise steps to writing a journalistic piece. First, the journalist must find a topic or subject that is worthy and of interest. Second, research and interviews must be conducted. Journalists take notes or recordings, and if direct quotes are involved, they must be written and used accurately. Third comes the write-up of the story. It is important in journalistic writing to have an interesting lead that draws the readers in, a well-organized body with events in chronological order, and a powerful conclusion to wrap up the story. Finally, a strong and captivating title that catches the eyes of the reader is crucial.

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Want to learn more? Check out our educational article on Literary Genres!