Definition:
An informal, often pejorative term for a style of writing and word choice found in many newspapers and magazines.
See also:
Examples and Observations:
- "What is 'journalese'? It's a quilt of instant words patched together out of other parts of speech. Adjectives are used as nouns ('greats,' 'notables'). Nouns are used as verbs ('to host'), or they are chopped off to form verbs ('enthuse,' 'emote'), or they are padded to form verbs ('beef up,' 'put teeth into'). This is a world where eminent people are 'famed' and their associates are 'staffers,' where the future is always 'upcoming' and someone is forever 'firing off' a note."
(William Zinsser, On Writing Well, 7th ed. HarperCollins, 2006) - "The cliché owes much to journalese. It is the language of the label
and instant metaphor, drawing its inspiration from space-starved newspaper headlines:
Every cub reporter knows that . . . fires rage out of control, minor mischief is perpetrated by Vandals (never Visigoths, Franks, or a single Vandal working alone) and key labor accords are hammered out by weary negotiators in marathon, round-the-clock bargaining sessions, thus narrowly averting threatened walkouts.
Clichés and journalese are usually used when inspiration runs dry (!), especially as a deadline approaches."
(John Leo, "Journalese for the Lay Reader." Time, Mar. 18, 1985)
(Andrew Boyd et al. Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News. Focal Press, 2008) - "[J]ournalists often fall into a sloppy style of generalities, clichés, jargon, and overwriting. This style even has a name: journalese. In the language of journalese, temperatures soar. Costs skyrocket. Fires rage and rivers rampage. Projects are kicked off. Opponents weigh in. Buildings are slated for demolition or perhaps they are tagged. In journalese, people get a go-ahead and projects get a green light.
"Real people don't talk that way, so it's best to avoid such trite writing. This chapter advises using strong verbs and solid descriptions. Also remember that word choice should be both fresh and accurate."
(Wayne R. Whitaker et al. Mediawriting: Print, Broadcast, and Public Relations. Taylor & Francis, 2009) - Dreaming in Headlines and Bad Newspeak
"When I finally slept, I dream in headlines and bad newspeak: Predawn fires . . . shark-infested waters . . . steamy tropical jungles . . . the solid South . . . mean streets and densely wooded areas populated by ever-present lone gunmen, fiery Cuban, deranged Vietnam veteran, Panamanian strongman, fugitive financier, bearded dictator, slain civil rights leader, grieving widow, struggling quarterback, cocaine kingpin, drug lord, troubled youth, embattled mayor, totally destroyed by, Miami-based, bullet-riddled, high-speed chase, uncertain futures, deepening political crises sparked by massive blasts, brutal murders--badly decomposed--benign neglect and blunt trauma.
"I woke up, nursing a dull headache."
(Edna Buchanan, Miami, It's Murder. Hyperion, 1994)
