Introduction to Journalistic Writing and Style

INTRODUCTION TO
JOURNALISTIC
WRITING AND
STYLE
WHAT IS JOURNALISTIC
WRITING?
Journalistic writing is a style of
writing used by journalists to inform
and entertain readers. It is
characterized by a direct,
straightforward tone, clear and
concise language, and attention to
detail.
WHAT IS JOURNALISTIC
WRITING?
This is designed to inform the
reader about current events or
issues, while other types of writing
can be used to express a range of
topics, from fiction to opinion
pieces.
Key elements of
journalistic writing
Reporting facts accurately
Presenting stories in an objective

and unbiased manner
Including quotes to support the facts

The hallmarks of
1 Simplicity and
Brevity
2 Precision
3 Objectivity and
Factuality
The hallmarks of
4 Fairness and
Balance
5 Inverted Pyramid
1. SIMPLICITY AND
BREVITY
Journalists should write with
simplicity – in such a way that
audiences can easily understand
the content without having to read
it multiple times. The goal is to
break down even the most complex
concepts, and write them in our
own words so that everyone “gets
1. SIMPLICITY AND
BREVITY
Writing with brevity (short and to
the point) helps create simplicity.
The longer the sentence is, the
more difficult it is to understand.
Also, audiences don’t like long
paragraphs because they look too
overwhelming to read.
1. SIMPLICITY AND
BREVITY
Journalists therefore strive to
keep sentences shorter than 20
words, and paragraphs no more
than 2-3 sentences, in general.
Example of a wordy sentence full
of redundancies:
The musicians’ future plans for
their recording studio would
require their studio executives
to totally demolish and
completely rebuild the facility at
a cost of five million dollars,
which is something the studio
president, and elderly divorced
woman named Myra Curtis,
Sentence revised for simplicity
and brevity
The musicians’ plans for their

recording studio would require
executives to rebuild if for $5
million, which President Myra
Curtis refuses.
Another way to achieve
simplicity is by writing in the
active voice, which simply
means using this format:
Subject + Verb + Direct
Object
Passive Voice:
The article was written by
Murray.
Active Voice:
Murray wrote the article.
Passive voice sentences are
avoided because they are longer,
more difficult to understand, and
sometimes make it unclear as to
whom did what. That can be
particularly problematic in
journalism because it’s our jobs
to make it clear to audiences who
is responsible (whether good or
bad) for the events of the story.
2. precision
Precision means that each word
should be used as it was intended by
its original “dictionary” meaning.
Meanings often evolve over time, but
in journalistic writing, we stay true to
the book. There should also be no
2. precision
Here are a couple of examples:
“cop” and “kid”
A cop is a slang term for a police officer, and

a kid is, by definition, a baby goat.
2. precision
Journalists should therefore not use
them unless for their intended
meanings. When in doubt, look it up: a
dictionary is a journalist’s best friend.
3. OBJECTIVITY AND
FACTUALITY
Objectivity means the absence of personal
opinion. A journalist’s writing should be based
on facts, observations, and interviews with
expert sources, or those knowledgeable of the
issue.
3. OBJECTIVITY AND
FACTUALITY
Write in third person (he, she, they), not first
person (I, me, my, our, we), to stay removed from
the story in order to be full objective. Don’t write
about what you think, believe, or feel, but what
you see and hear. The only opinions which should
be included are the ‘sources’ opinions, and you
must attribute all opinions properly so that
3. OBJECTIVITY AND
FACTUALITY
Journalists avoid adjectives and adverbs
because they tend to insert opinion. Instead,
writers should opt for specific nouns and active
verbs that best illustrate the facts.
Example of not staying
objective
Cassidy Martin is so intelligent and
talented that she will definitely become
a success after graduation.
Intelligent and talented are adjectives – not

facts. They are purely subjective terms. What
one person considers intelligent or talented is
not necessarily true for another person.
Cassidy Martin is so intelligent and
talented that she will definitely become
a success after graduation.
Also, “she will definitely become a success” is

not a factual statement because there’s no
way of predicting that. Instead, a journalist
would focus on the facts, and let the reader
form his own opinion.
Example of objective
writing
Because Cassidy Martin has held a 4.0
GPA throughout high school and won five
national awards for her artistry, her
classmates and teachers voted her “Most
Likely to Succeed.”
Every element of the sentence is now
verifiable and factual, with no opinions.
Another way writers convey important
elements of a story is through sources. We
interview people with knowledge of a story so
that they can share their opinions and
experiences as they relate to the story topic.
Lauren Thames, a counselor at Martin’s
school, said, “Cassidy is such an
intelligent and talented student that we
have no doubt she will become a huge
success.
You want to interview sources who are
knowledgeable about the story, and include
their comments, either as direct or indirect
quotes. The key is to properly attribute their
4. Fairness and balance
Fairness and balance are achieved by
ensuring both sides of a story are addressed
and receive equal coverage. Some stories even
have more than two sides! Journalists should
never take one person’s version of events at
face value.
4. Fairness and balance
Sometimes, of course, a source on the other
side of a story will either refuse to be
interviewed, or won’t return phone calls. Once a
reporter has given every source ample time to
respond, he can move on with the story.
However, he must include a disclaimer in the
story, such as:
Repeated calls to Jonathan Windsor were not
returned, or Jonathan Windsor declined to be
interviewed for this story, or when contacted
for this story, Jonathan Windsor replied, “No
comment.”
Whichever statement you use, it must be
accurate. By including a disclaimer, you are
letting readers know that you made every
effort to achieve balance and fairness in the
story.
Repeated calls to Jonathan Windsor were not
returned, or Jonathan Windsor declined to be
interviewed for this story, or when contacted
for this story, Jonathan Windsor replied, “No
comment.”
Based on that information, the reader will
formulate his own opinion as to the source’s
motivation for not responding.
5. Inverted pyramid
Journalistic writing is most often
written in a format called “The
Inverted Pyramid”, which
arranges the information in
descending order of
importance, or newsworthiness.
5 Ws and H
Most important
What readers
information
MUST know
More details Important and unique

details, but the reader
will not be lost without
them.
Conclusion
Information that is
nice to have, but not
critical
In summary, here are the tips to
remember
Use short, simple words that most will
understand.
Use short sentences and short paragraphs.
Eliminate unnecessary words that create

redundancy.
Use active voice sentences.
State facts, NOT OPINIONS.
Do NOT stereotype: sexism, ageism,

racism, etc.
Arrange information from most important to
least important.
Thank you!
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INTRODUCTION TO

Presenting stories in an objective

Including quotes to support the facts

The musicians’ plans for their

A cop is a slang term for a police officer, and

Intelligent and talented are adjectives – not

Also, “she will definitely become a success” is

More details Important and unique

Eliminate unnecessary words that create

State facts, NOT OPINIONS.

Do NOT stereotype: sexism, ageism,

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