how to start an journalistic essay

How to Write a Journalistic Essay

Jessica cook.

A journalistic essay is a combination of journalistic reporting and personal essay writing. A newspaper article contains straight journalistic reporting most of the time, while a personal essay tells a story. In a journalistic essay, you must combine these elements in order to tell a story with a factual basis in reporting.

Do your research. The basis of a journalistic essay must be factual; you should use your skills as a journalist to interview the people involved with the story you want to tell and research any available background information. Record interviews, take notes, and spend time at the library or online researching the information you need for the story. Take photos as you conduct your research so you can add them to your essay or at least use them to help you remember important information.

Organize your facts. Begin your essay by outlining your factual information and organizing it in a manner that is easy to understand. You do not always have to tell a story in chronological order; instead, consider how to tell the story in a way that will keep your readers interested from beginning to end.

Write your essay in a clear and concise manner. Avoid overly flowery or confusing sentences; you should strive to make your point clear, not to impress your reader with your vast vocabulary skills.

Let the story be the important part of your essay, not your writing. Your writing should showcase the story in the best light, hooking your reader's interest and keeping it until the end.

• 1 The Guardian: How Journalists Write, by Peter Cole

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The Art of Journalistic Writing: A Comprehensive Guide ✍️

Journalistic writing aims to provide accurate and objective news coverage to the audience. Learn how to write like journalists in this comprehensive guide.

In the fast-paced realm of freelance writing, captivating and informative articles are the key to setting yourself apart from the competition. That's where the art of journalistic writing becomes your secret weapon. 

Below, we'll delve into the significance of journalistic writing for Independents, demystify its definition and various types, explore its essential features, and provide you with invaluable tips to sharpen your skills. Get ready to unlock the power of journalistic writing and take your freelance career to new heights . Let's dive in and discover the magic behind compelling stories that captivate readers worldwide.

What is journalistic writing? 📝 

Journalistic writing, as the name implies, is the style of writing used by journalists and news media organizations to share news and information about local, national, and global events, issues, and developments with the public.

The main goal of journalistic writing is to provide accurate and objective news coverage. Journalists gather facts, conduct research, and interview sources to present a fair and unbiased account of events. They strive to deliver information clearly, concisely, and interestingly that grabs readers’ attention and helps them understand the subject.

Journalistic writing also encourages public discussion, critical thinking, and informed decision-making. Since journalists present diverse perspectives, analyze complex issues, and investigate misconduct, they empower readers to form opinions and actively engage with the news. Journalistic writing acts as a watchdog, holding institutions and individuals accountable and promoting transparency in society.

Types of journalistic writing 🔥

Different types of journalism writing styles serve unique purposes, from exposing truths to keeping us informed, sparking conversations, and providing meaningful insights into the world around us. 

Here are five types of journalistic writing you should know about:

Investigative journalism 🕵️

Investigative journalists are like detectives in the news world. They dive deep into topics, dedicating their time and resources to uncover hidden information, expose corruption, and bring wrongdoing to the surface.

News journalism 🗞️

News journalists are frontline reporters who inform people about the latest happenings. They cover a wide range of topics, from politics and the economy to science and entertainment. They gather facts, interview sources, and present unbiased information objectively and concisely.

Column journalism 📰

In column journalism, writers share their personal opinions and perspectives on various subjects. They offer analysis, commentary, and insights on social, cultural, or political issues. Whether they are experts in their fields or well-known figures with unique voices, their columns provide readers with different standpoints and spark thought-provoking discussions.

Feature writing 🙇 

Feature writers take us beyond the basic facts and immerse us in storytelling. They explore human-interest stories, profiles, and in-depth features on specific topics. They also delve into the personal lives, experiences, or achievements of individuals or communities, providing a deeper understanding of the subject matter by using narrative techniques.

Reviews journalism 📖

Reviewers are the guides helping us make informed decisions about the arts. They evaluate and critique films, books, music, theater shows, and more. Through their opinions and assessments, they analyze the quality, impact, and significance of creative works. Review journalism not only helps us choose what to watch, read, or listen to, but it also contributes to cultural conversations and discussions.

Key features of journalistic writing 🔑

Journalistic writing distinguishes itself from other forms of writing through several essential characteristics. And here are a few: 

• Accuracy and objectivity: These are of utmost importance. Journalists go to great lengths to gather reliable information, verify sources, and present a balanced perspective. They strive to separate facts from opinions, ensuring readers receive an accurate account of events.
• Timeliness and relevance: Journalists focus on current events and issues that are of interest to the public. They aim to provide up-to-date information, sharing the latest developments and their implications.
• Clarity and conciseness: Journalists use clear and simple language, avoiding complex jargon that might confuse the audience. They use short sentences and paragraphs that enhance readability.
• Inverted pyramid structure: Commonly employed in journalistic writing, this structure places the most important information at the beginning of the article –– in the headline and the first paragraph. Subsequent paragraphs contain supporting details arranged in descending order of significance. By adopting this approach, journalists enable readers to grasp the main points quickly and decide whether to delve deeper into the topic.
• Engagement and impact: Journalists leverage various storytelling techniques, such as vivid descriptions and compelling narratives, to captivate their audience. They incorporate quotes, anecdotes, and human-interest elements to evoke emotions among readers and make the story relatable.

How to write like a journalist: 7 tips 💯

Now that you know the ins and outs of journalistic style and storytelling, let’s explore the best practices to follow during news writing: 

1. Use the inverted pyramid structure 🔻

If you’re wondering how to structure and write a news story or article, the answer is simple: Go from the most important to the least important. Start your articles with vital facts, and arrange supporting details in descending order of significance. This structure ensures readers receive essential information even if they don’t read the entire piece.

2. Establish your angle 📐

 Before you begin writing , determine the angle or perspective you want to take on the story. Although you should share a neutral opinion, choosing an angle helps you stay focused and deliver a clear message. Consider what makes your story unique or newsworthy, and shape your narrative accordingly.

3. Stick to the facts 🩹

Journalistic writing values accuracy and objectivity. Present information verifiable and supported by credible sources, and avoid personal opinions and biases –– allowing the facts to speak for themselves. Fact-checking is essential to maintain the integrity of your writing.

4. Use quotations to generate credibility 💭

Including quotes from reliable sources adds credibility and depth to your writing. Interview relevant individuals, experts, or eyewitnesses to gather their perspectives and insights. Incorporate their direct quotes to support your narrative and provide first-hand accounts.

5. Write clear and concise sentences 💎

Use straightforward language to effectively communicate your message. Journalism articles typically only include one-to-three sentences per paragraph and should not exceed 20 words per sentence. 

6. Edit and revise 💻

Thorough editing is crucial to produce polished and professional journalistic pieces. So once you finish your first draft, invest time on editing and revising your work. Look for grammatical errors, clarity issues, and redundancies. And ensure your writing flows smoothly and maintains a consistent tone. 

7. Maintain ethical standards 🏅

You want repeat readers who’ll come back for more from you. And for that, you must keep in mind journalistic principles and share fair, trusting, and accountable pieces. Attribute information to appropriate sources, respect privacy when necessary, and conduct thorough fact-checking.

Write like a pro with Contra 🌟

Mastering the art of journalistic writing is the key to becoming a skilled and impactful freelance writer . By understanding the criticality of thorough research, engaging storytelling, and holding the powerful accountable, you can create compelling news stories that resonate with readers. 

And with Contra as your trusted companion, you'll have the tools and resources to refine your journalistic writing skills and take your freelance career to new heights. So don't miss out on the opportunity to write like a pro. Sign up with Contra today, promote your services commission-free, and connect with fellow writers. 

Check out Contra for Independents , and join our Slack community to interact with a supportive network of writers, sharing knowledge and learning from each other.

How to Write an Op-Ed: A Guide to Effective Opinion Writing 🖋️

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What Is Content Writing? Tips to Craft Engaging Content 👀

The 12 Rules Of Grammar Everyone Should Know ✍️

Mastering the White Paper Format: A Step-by-Step Guide 📝

How to Give Effective Feedback and Motivate Others 💪

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How To Write Like a Journalist (And Why It Matters in Marketing) [Infographic]

The importance of good journalism can’t be overstated. Journalism is an art: It’s not just telling a story, it’s about helping the reader read it through to the end. Perhaps above all, it should produce positive results in society. To quote Andrew Vacss: “Journalism is what maintains democracy. It’s the force for progressive social change.”

A free, democratic society is impossible without accurate and ethical journalism. But the qualities that make up this art can be extended to many other forms of writing — notably marketing — in a big way.

How’s that? Read on to find out more.

What Is the Journalistic Approach?

Thanks to the internet, content creation has become a decentralized affair, where virtually anyone can publish their thoughts online. While this has created new opportunities for independent writers and businesses, it’s also introduced a crisis of credibility.

Some bloggers and writers are a little too loose with the facts, allowing their own values and perspectives to color their reporting. This can not only damage their reputation with discerning readers, but it can also reflect poorly on the businesses that employ them.

Additionally, some journalists are more interested in agreeing with their audience, misrepresenting the facts and reporting only what their readers want to hear in an openly biased fashion. It might make for good ratings, but it makes for lousy — and often misleading — journalism.

The journalistic approach emphasizes objectivity, ethics and accuracy. Journalists strive to leave their biases at the door in favor of in-depth research, credible citations and a healthy dose of big-picture storytelling. By digging deeper into breaking news stories, events and hard data, journalists add valuable context to the articles they write.

This attention to detail and adherence to ethical standards is what differentiates journalism from other writing professions; it’s also what gives journalists an edge in the content marketing world.

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Journalism’s Place in Content Marketing

While most people associate journalists with hard news coverage, they actually work in a variety of professional arenas. Journalists craft well-researched content for businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and other organizations looking to form a connection with online and offline audiences.

They also can make for awesome content marketers. But what, exactly, makes journalists well-suited to content marketing roles?

• First, journalists understand how to collect and organize information into a compelling story. Most have experience interviewing experts on a broad range of subjects, which helps them understand which questions to ask and when additional citations may be needed. This ensures every piece of content is relevant, timely and backed by credible sources.
• Journalism skills are also incredibly useful in the planning phase — over the course of their research, journalists can stumble upon new angles and ideas that can help differentiate their content from the competition. This is particularly impactful when writing for niche or crowded industries, where every topic has been covered ad nauseum.
• The most obvious advantage of bringing on a journalist is that their writing skills have been sharpened through years of content creation. Spelling, grammar and syntax mistakes are rare, especially if they have an editor to review their finished work. Additionally, while some employers worry that journalists may be too used to writing in a particular style (one void of personality and character quirks), this couldn’t be further from the truth.
• Journalists are, by nature, adaptable. Their writing style is often dictated by the project at hand, allowing them to switch between the casual voice of bloggers and the tight prose of news reporters. This range is essential to content marketers, as some assets may require a lighter, more approachable tone than others.

Armed with this versatility, journalists are able to craft compelling stories across mediums. They write for blogs, social media, email marketing , websites and much more. And while the journalistic style is best suited to longer-form content, it does have a place on Twitter and Facebook.

Take this tweet from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as an example:

Workers’ safety and health matter. NIOSH research found that long-haul truck drivers have a higher risk for obesity, which can lead to heart disease and other health problems. View four actions to stay healthy: https://t.co/3K1Zjt92Id #HeartMonth #OurHearts pic.twitter.com/T5r5nigJkr — NIOSH (@NIOSH) February 17, 2023

This short piece of content provides specific information backed by a credible source and is written in a very straightforward style. Readers are also provided with a direct citation, allowing them to follow up on claims made within the tweet.

Now let’s look at an article by Microsoft on how remote work is becoming the norm . Here’s an excerpt:

“We’ve been on the cusp of the shift to hybrid work for more than a year, with false starts attributed to a pandemic that had other ideas. Now, we’re at a long-awaited inflection point: the lived experience of hybrid work. Already, hybrid work is up seven points year-over-year (to 38%), and 53% of people are likely to consider transitioning to hybrid in the year ahead.”

The writing style is markedly professional, cites its sources and presents a credible case for the hybrid work environment.

Both examples illustrate how journalistic writing can be adapted to different mediums and audiences, even when companies have something to sell. But learning how to write like a journalist is about more than just presentation.

Learning How To Write Like a Journalist: Top Skills and Qualities

Whether you’re looking to build a career as a news reporter or break into the content marketing space, journalism skills can provide the foundation you need to create compelling stories. Although writing for blog posts, press releases and other genres is notably different, the creative process behind these projects tends to overlap.

Here are some of the most important skills and qualities needed to write like a journalist:

Fact-Finding Expertise

Conducting in-depth research is essential to both journalism and content marketing, as it helps writers understand the nuances hidden in the weeds. Journalists should know how to search for relevant information and data, where to look for credible citations and how to differentiate between primary and secondary sources.

For example, rather than linking out to a Forbes’ article that covers a new study or survey, journalists will hunt down the original source . This helps prevent other writers’ perceptions and styles from polluting the articles journalists are creating, leading to more authentic and original content.

Of course, knowing what data is relevant to a particular story is key. It’s no good if readers are distracted by irrelevant information, as they’ll lose interest the instant you stray from the point you’re trying to make.

Over time, journalists develop a keen eye for storytelling that makes it easier to locate relevant information and perspectives. Without this reflex, content marketers can end up producing content that isn’t actually useful to the intended audience.

Tech Savviness

The internet may have introduced new complexities into journalistic writing, but it’s also helped make it easier to collect background information on a near-infinite number of topics. Today’s journalists understand how to leverage search engines, industry resources and content libraries to add substance to their blog posts. They also understand how to write in different mediums, whether they’re working in print or digital.

Search engine optimization (SEO) also plays an essential role in online content creation. Without the right keywords and headlines, even the most compelling articles will be virtually invisible. Of course, journalists don’t write for search algorithms: They write for human beings — the most SEO-optimized content in the world is pointless if people aren’t reading and understanding it.

Balancing SEO and compelling storytelling is one of the hardest writing skills to master, even for experienced professionals. But with practice and passion, writers can produce engaging content that is interesting, informative and easy to find.

Ethical Standards

We’ve been emphasizing the importance of journalism adhering to a strict set of ethical guidelines to guide reporting. While every organization has its own ethical guidelines, there are overarching rules that most writers follow. According to the Society of Professional Journalists, these standards include things like:

• Taking responsibility for the accuracy of your work.
• Verifying information prior to publication.
• Providing context to not misrepresent or oversimplify a story.
• Offering direct access to sources and citations.
• Avoiding plagiarism and the distortion of facts.

Although some of the SPJ’s rules aren’t as relevant to content marketing, it’s crucial to strive for clarity and consistency whenever possible. Relying on ambiguity to smooth over inconsistencies can do more harm than good, especially when companies are trying to position themselves as thought leaders in their respective industries.

Versatile Writing Skills

When working in a content marketing role, journalists create all kinds of promotional materials that serve different purposes. To ensure these assets deliver on customer needs and expectations, content marketers must be able to adjust their writing styles on a whim.

For example, white papers are often technical in nature, requiring a lot of fact-finding and expert interviews to create a truly effective asset. In contrast, blog posts tend to be more conversational, and generally don’t call for as much hard data or thought leadership. Landing pages are meant to sell a product or service and will sound much more promotional than either white papers or blogs. Social media is even more restrictive, with writers working within a set character limit.

A journalist’s ability to tailor their writing style to these mediums — and the audiences they appeal to — is essential to the success of any digital marketing resource.

In addition to the written word, many content marketing journalists craft promotional videos, radio scripts and other multi-media assets that call for a bit of stylistic flair. Journalists embrace these challenges, trusting in their writing skills and their ability to tackle complex topics under tight deadlines.

Time Management

Much like news reporters, journalists in the content marketing industry must contend with strict deadlines and production cycles. To stay one step ahead, content marketers must efficiently organize their time and creative energy. Equal weight should be given to research and content creation, especially when a blog post or press release directly supports the launch of a new product or service.

Journalists rarely work in a vacuum. The content they create often fits into a wider marketing plan that must be coordinated with other departments and stakeholders. If a new product is ready to go, but supporting information isn’t ready, customers may not see the value in that offering.

Content marketers with journalism experience help keep everything on schedule, even when surprises and complexities pop up along the way.

Leveling Up: Essential Tips for Writing Like a Journalist

Even with the above skills and characteristics, some writers still struggle to craft compelling stories that deliver tangible ROI. The issue is that both online and offline audiences have shifting preferences and wandering attention spans that can be difficult to capture.

Some content marketing journalists tackle this challenge by making their writing more approachable, while others prioritize the WIIFM (what’s in it for me?) perspective. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to content creation, there are a few best practices and writing tips that can help bridge the gap.

Here are a few tips that can help content markers incorporate the journalistic writing style into their work:

1. Never Clickbait Your Audience

Headlines serve a creative and practical function within online content, helping attract readers and summarize the blog posts they come across. While a catchy headline can pull customers to a company website, it’s important to deliver on readers’ expectations.

The practice of “clickbaiting,” a form of false advertising, seeks to game the system by using provocative headlines to generate buzz and readership. In many cases, these misleading headlines are used to get internet users from Google’s search results page to a specific end destination, often for the purpose of making a sale.

Over time, digital natives have become quite adept at spotting clickbait. Companies that rely on this deceptive marketing tactic will soon find diminishing returns, with audiences knowing a particular source is clickbait when they see it. A brand only gets one chance to establish their reputation as trustworthy, and such tactics can do irreparable damage to their public image, which is why honesty is always the best policy.

2. Avoid Burying the Lede

Another common shortcoming of online content is the tendency to bury the lede, forcing readers to dig through content looking for specific information. The “lede” of a news article or blog post is the reason why the audience is reading it in the first place: It’s the core aspect of the story that they expect to find with as little effort as possible.

Waiting too long to introduce the main topic or point can drive customers away. The more effort they have to exert searching for answers, the less likely they’ll be to continue browsing the website. Since the goal is to keep visitors engaged with the content, journalists strive for brevity and get straight to the point whenever possible.

3. Consider the Needs of Different Readers

Every piece of content should serve a specific purpose, speak to a particular audience and provide full context for the topic at hand. Of course, every audience demographic has different priorities and interests, so it’s important to tailor content accordingly.

For example, consumers might read through an article on smart technology to understand how it all works or estimate the cost of a new gadget. Business leaders could come to the same article looking to improve the efficiency of their operations or find answers about pressing security risks.

Understanding these goals, and allowing them to influence the final product, is essential to forming actionable content that can help attract the right type of customers. This typically involves a lot of market research, customer profiling and style development, which is where a journalist can come in handy.

4. Understand Standardized Writing Styles

Most journalists working as news reporters adhere to style guidelines outlined by The Associated Press Stylebook or The Chicago Manual of Style. These rules cover everything from punctuation usage to source attribution and help set a gold standard for journalistic writing.

While content marketers aren’t necessarily bound by these style guidelines, it’s important to understand how they can influence the writing process. For example, AP style does not call for the Oxford comma, eschews the capitalization of common nouns and requires all numbers between one through nine to be spelled out. While the average reader might not be able to pick out these nuances, other writers surely will.

Depending on the situation, content marketers may be asked to produce blog posts in AP style. Having a strong understanding of these rules can streamline the content creation process and simplify quality assurance. When every blog post follows the same writing style, organizations can introduce a level of consistency that will help them stand out from the competition.

Much like journalism itself, finding the right content writer can feel like being trapped in a maze with infinite solutions. But don’t be discouraged, the perfect fit for your company could be waiting just around the corner. Journalism that follows a strict code of ethics and quality standards might be vital for a free society, but it’s also just as crucial to content marketing.

Editor’s Note: Updated March 2023.

By Kyle Covino

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How To Write Like A Journalist: 8 Simple Steps

Journalists write in a style that tells the news in an easy-to-read and efficient manner; learn how to write like a journalist in our guide. 

You must know how to use specific writing techniques to write like a journalist. These techniques ensure that articles are engaging, easy to read, and have all the essential facts. Knowing the ins and outs of journalistic writing is helpful to add to your writing skills, even if you never write a news story. It is a writing style that allows you to distribute information efficiently while adding a specific structure to your penmanship.

All-in-all, knowing how to write like a journalist can make you a better writer, improve your social media copywriting skills, and even improve your content marketing techniques. If you are working as a journalist, or have aspirations to be a news writing whiz, then having journalistic writing skills is not just a helpful tool but an essential one.

Step 1. Write Economically

Step 2. remember not to bury the ledee, step 3. know the five ws, step 4. remember the basics, step 5. gather more information than you need, step 6. learn from others, step 7. double-check all information is present, step 8. work creatively within the structure, what qualifications do i need to be a journalist, what are the types of journalism.

When studying at Cardiff University’s acclaimed School of Journalism, Media and Culture, the author of an article had an eagle-eyed professor. He would take a red pen and cross out every unnecessary word when marking work.

There were times when articles looked more like red sketch drawings because of all the markups. As frustrating as this was, this professor knew what he was doing. He had taught some of the best journalists in the world and had done the same to them. But, in doing so, he demonstrated that you would need to write economically to write like a journalist.

There are many reasons for this, but the key ones are as follows:

• When you are writing a story, you are often against a deadline. Thus, you should be able to get the key points of the news onto the page as quickly as possible.
• Unlike bloggers, when writing a news article, you do not have an unlimited word count. This is especially true if you are writing for a newspaper or magazine.
• Unnecessary words and sentences can bury the lede, leaving the reader unsure of the story’s key details and supporting details.
• Being economical doesn’t just mean getting rid of unnecessary words. It is also written in short sentences that are easy to read.

To summarize, your sentences should be short and snappy, while your paragraphs should be formatted so the information within each paragraph is related. Not only will this make your work more readable, but it will also make your editor’s job easier if they need to cut your word count down.

You also need to know the inverted pyramid writing style when writing as a journalist. This involves structuring your articles so that the most important details are near the start.

It has become the predominant format of writing used within journalism and technical writing. That is because it gets all the important information across to the reader in short sentences that are easy to understand.

From there, you order the information of the story based on the order of importance. This prevents the most interesting information to the reader from being lost within a sea of background information. It also helps create a compelling story with which the reader is engaged from the beginning.

This New York Times article about the investigation into  President Trump  is an ideal example of the structure in use. It starts with the most relevant details, working its way down to detail the story’s background information. You might also be interested in learning how to write an article critique .

When filling out the details of a story, most journalists know that they should aim to fill in the five Ws. That is the ‘where, what, when who and why. All journalistic writing has its basis in the five Ws. Likewise, virtually all storytelling has its basis in those tenets.

If you are a news reporter collecting facts that will later be disseminated into a story, you need to search for the answers to the five Ws concerning your story. Consider this ‘Instagram owner Meta fined €405m over handling of teens’ data’ news article as an example.

The opening paragraph reads: “Instagram owner Meta has been fined €405m (£349m) by the Irish data watchdog for letting teenagers set up accounts that publicly displayed their phone numbers and email addresses.”

The where is ‘Ireland’, the what is ‘a fine for Meta’, the why is ‘because of its policies around teenagers’, and the who is ‘Meta and the Irish data watchdog’. They then cover the When in the next paragraph, which reads: “The Data Protection Commission confirmed the penalty after a two-year investigation into potential breaches of the European Union’s general data protection regulation (GDPR).”

This is a perfect example of journalistic writing, and that is because it covers both the inverted pyramid and the five Ws.

When aiming to write like a journalist, you shouldn’t forget the basic writing tips you picked up from high school. After all, good journalistic writing is just good writing using a few extra tools.

At the same time, when trying to write well within a newsroom, you shouldn’t forget the basics of journalism either. For instance, the correct attribution of quotes and fact-checking should be carried out in news writing.

To write like a journalist, you must have the utmost respect for the truth. You should also stick to and use your news organization’s stylebook. For instance, you might write in a newsroom that uses the  AP style  or the  New York Times stylebook. You must know the chosen style of the publisher you work for. If you don’t, check in with the editor and find out.

One common mistake rookie journalists make is not collecting enough information for a good story. Once they get a line on the ‘where, why, when, who, and where, they think their job is done.

However, if you are thinking like a newshound, you will know that you need to delve into the ‘five Ws’ of the five Ws. Ultimately, this will make your job of writing like a journalist easier, and it will also allow you to dig deeper into stories.

For instance, you may know the where – but why was it there, when did it happen before, who led to it being there and why was it there?

Likewise, you might know the who – but who exactly are they, what brought them to that place, when they arrived, etc. In investigative journalism, having too much information is far more beneficial than having too little.

This might not seem like a writing tip. However, suppose you are sitting down at your keyboard with a shortage of information. In that case, you will realize that writing like a journalist is only accessible if you have a journalist’s information.

To write and think like a journalist, you should also be an avid reader and consumer of media, including social media copywriting, news articles, and technical writing, journalists are constantly learning from others in the field.

Successful journalists have an undying curiosity and often consume copious amounts of social media, podcasts, documentaries, and other forms of non-fiction. All-in-all, our point is that if you are to think like a journalist, you should be a curious consumer of art, media, and much, much more. Journalists want to learn about the world, which is one way they do that. So, naturally, this influences their writing greatly.

When writing as a journalist, you should know that a key portion of your job is distributing relevant information. Therefore, you should do your best to ensure that all the relevant information within a story is covered.

Journalists can’t simply type a question into a search engine and regurgitate the first piece of info they find. Instead, they need to do quality research through a variety of mediums. This can be mentioned if a certain piece of information is unavailable but relevant to the story.

An example would be if a winning lottery ticket were lost, but the holder didn’t know when they lost it. Here, you could write: “It is not clear exactly when the winning ticket was lost, but the holder claims that they had it when leaving the store.”

Like any form of writing, you can also be creative when writing like a journalist. But, of course, certain types of articles have more scope for this.

For instance, you must use your creativity when developing  newspaper column ideas  or deciding to do a feature article.

However, all writing is creative, as you have to be creative to put words to paper. Therefore, you shouldn’t be afraid to exercise creativity when writing a journalistic article.

FAQs About How to Write Like a Journalist

There are excellent journalism schools where prospective reporters leave with degrees relating to the profession. However, not all journalists have qualifications, with some reporters coming from other professions or being trained to do the job by the media organization.

There are many different types of journalism. Here are just a few: investigative journalism, broadcast journalism, sports journalism, business journalism, and entertainment journalism.

Cian Murray is an experienced writer and editor, who graduated from Cardiff University’s esteemed School of Journalism, Media and Culture. His work has been featured in both local and national media, and he has also produced content for multinational brands and agencies.

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Journalistic writing is, as you might expect, the style of writing used by journalists. It is therefore a term for the broad style of writing used by news media outlets to put together stories.

Every news media outlet has its own ‘house’ style, which is usually set out in guidelines. This describes grammar and style points to be used in that publication or website. However, there are some common factors and characteristics to all journalistic writing.

This page describes the five different types of journalistic writing. It also provides some tips for writing in journalistic style to help you develop your skills in this area.

The Purpose of Journalistic Writing

Journalistic writing has a very clear purpose: to attract readers to a website, broadcaster or print media. This allows the owners to make money, usually by selling advertising space.

Newspapers traditionally did not make most of their money by selling newspapers. Instead, their main income was actually from advertising. If you look back at an early copy of the London Times , for example (from the early 1900s), the whole front page was actually advertisements, not news.

The news and stories are only a ‘hook’ to bring in readers and keep advertisers happy.

Journalists therefore want to attract readers to their stories—and then keep them.

They are therefore very good at identifying good stories, but also telling the story in a way that hooks and keeps readers interested.

Types of Journalistic Writing

There are five main types of journalistic writing:

Investigative journalism aims to discover the truth about a topic, person, group or event . It may require detailed and in-depth exploration through interviews, research and analysis. The purpose of investigative journalism is to answer questions.

News journalism reports facts, as they emerge . It aims to provide people with objective information about current events, in straightforward terms.

Feature writing provides a deeper look at events, people or topics , and offer a new perspective. Like investigative journalism, it may seek to uncover new information, but is less about answering questions, and more about simply providing more information.

Columns are the personal opinions of the writer . They are designed to entertain and persuade readers, and sometimes to be controversial and generate discussion.

Reviews describe a subject in a factual way, and then provide a personal opinion on it . They are often about books or television programmes when published in news media.

The importance of objectivity

It should be clear from the list of types of journalistic writing that journalists are not forbidden from expressing their opinions.

However, it is important that any journalist is absolutely clear when they are expressing their opinion, and when they are reporting on facts.

Readers are generally seeking objective writing and reporting when they are reading news or investigative journalism, or features. The place for opinions is columns or reviews.

The Journalistic Writing Process

Journalists tend to follow a clear process in writing any article. This allows them to put together a compelling story, with all the necessary elements.

This process is:

1. Gather all necessary information

The first step is to gather all the information that you need to write the story.

You want to know all the facts, from as many angles as possible. Journalists often spend time ‘on site’ as part of this process, interviewing people to find out what has happened, and how events have affected them.

Ideally, you want to use primary sources: people who were actually there, and witnessed the events. Secondary sources (those who were told by others what happened) are very much second-best in journalism.

2. Verify all your sources

It is crucial to establish the value of your information—that is, whether it is true or not.

A question of individual ‘truth’

It has become common in internet writing to talk about ‘your truth’, or ‘his truth’.

There is a place for this in journalism. It recognises that the same events may be experienced and interpreted in different ways by different people.

However, journalists also need to recognise that there are always some objective facts associated with any story. They must take time to separate these objective facts from opinions or perceptions and interpretations of events.

3. Establish your angle

You then need to establish your story ‘angle’ or focus: the aspect that makes it newsworthy.

This will vary with different types of journalism, and for different news outlets. It may also need some thought to establish why people should care about your story.

4. Write a strong opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph tells readers why they should bother to read on.

It needs to summarise the five Ws of the story: who, what, why, when, and where.

5. Consider the headline

Journalists are not necessarily expected to come up with their own headlines. However, it helps to consider how a piece might be headlined.

Being able to summarise the piece in a few words is a very good way to ensure that you are clear about your story and angle.

6. Use the ‘inverted pyramid’ structure

Journalists use a very clear structure for their stories. They start with the most important information (the opening paragraph, above), then expand on that with more detail. Finally, the last section of the article provides more information for anyone who is interested.

This means that you can therefore glean the main elements of any news story from the first paragraph—and decide if you want to read on.

Why the Inverted Pyramid?

The inverted pyramid structure actually stems from print journalism.

If typesetters could not fit the whole story into the space available, they would simply cut off the last few sentences until the article fitted.

Journalists therefore started to write in a way that ensured that the important information would not be removed during this process!

7. Edit your work carefully

The final step in the journalistic writing process is to edit your work yourself before submitting it.

Newsrooms and media outlets generally employ professional editors to check all copy before submitting it. However, journalists also have a responsibility to check their work over before submission to make sure it makes sense.

Read your work over to check that you have written in plain English , and that your meaning is as clear as possible. This will save the sub-editors and editors from having to waste time contacting you for clarifications.

Journalistic Writing Style

As well as a very clear process, journalists also share a common style.

This is NOT the same as the style guidelines used for certain publications (see box), but describes common features of all journalistic writing.

The features of journalistic writing include:

Short sentences . Short sentences are much easier to read and understand than longer ones. Journalists therefore tend to keep their sentences to a line of print or less.

Active voice . The active voice (‘he did x’, rather than ‘x was done by him’) is action-focused, and shorter. It therefore keeps readers’ interest, and makes stories more direct and personal.

Quotes. Most news stories and journalistic writing will include quotes from individuals. This makes the story much more people-focused—which is more likely to keep readers interested. This is why many press releases try to provide quotes (and there is more about this in our page How to Write a Press Release ).

Style guidelines

Most news media have style guidelines. They may share these with other outlets (for example, by using the Associated Press guidelines), or they may have their own (such as the London Times style guide).

These guidelines explain the ‘house style’. This may include, for example, whether the outlet commonly uses an ‘Oxford comma’ or comma placed after the penultimate item in a list, and describe the use of capitals or italics for certain words or phrases.

It is important to be aware of these style guidelines if you are writing for a particular publication.

Journalistic writing is the style used by news outlets to tell factual stories. It uses some established conventions, many of which are driven by the constraints of printing. However, these also work well in internet writing as they grab and hold readers’ attention very effectively.

Continue to: Writing for the Internet Cliches to Avoid

See also: Creative Writing Technical Writing Coherence in Writing

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Journalism and Journalistic Writing: Introduction

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Journalism is the practice of gathering, recording, verifying, and reporting on information of public importance. Though these general duties have been historically consistent, the particulars of the journalistic process have evolved as the ways information is collected, disseminated, and consumed have changed. Things like the invention of the printing press in the 15 th century, the ratification of the First Amendment in 1791, the completion of the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1858,   the first televised presidential debates in 1960, and more have broadened the ways that journalists write (as well as the ways that their readers read). Today, journalists may perform a number of different roles. They still write traditional text-based pieces, but they may also film documentaries, record podcasts, create photo essays, help run 24-hour TV broadcasts, and keep the news at our fingertips via social media and the internet. Collectively, these various journalistic media help members of the public learn what is happening in the world so they may make informed decisions.

The most important difference between journalism and other forms of non-fiction writing is the idea of objectivity. Journalists are expected to keep an objective mindset at all times as they interview sources, research events, and write and report their stories. Their stories should not aim to persuade their readers but instead to inform. That is not to say you will never find an opinion in a newspaper—rather, journalists must be incredibly mindful of keeping subjectivity to pieces like editorials, columns, and other opinion-based content.

Similarly, journalists devote most of their efforts to working with primary sources, whereas a research paper or another non-fiction piece of writing might frequently consult an encyclopedia, a scholarly article, or another secondary or tertiary source. When a journalist is researching and writing their story, they will often interview a number of individuals—from politicians to the average citizen—to gain insight into what people have experienced, and the quotes journalists collect drive and shape their stories. 

The pages in this section aim to provide a brief overview of journalistic practices and standards, such as the ethics of collecting and reporting on information; writing conventions like the inverted pyramid and using Associated Press (AP) Style; and formatting and drafting journalistic content like press releases.

Journalism and Journalistic Writing

These resources provide an overview of journalistic writing with explanations of the most important and most often used elements of journalism and the Associated Press style. This resource, revised according to The Associated Press Stylebook 2012 , offers examples for the general format of AP style. For more information, please consult The Associated Press Stylebook 2012 , 47 th edition.

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from training.npr.org: https://training.npr.org/2016/10/12/leads-are-hard-heres-how-to-write-a-good-one/

• Style Guide

A good lead is everything — here's how to write one

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(Deborah Lee/NPR)

I can’t think of a better way to start a post about leads than with this:

“The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn’t induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead.” — William Zinsser, On Writing Well

No one wants a dead article! A story that goes unread is pointless. The lead is the introduction — the first sentences — that should pique your readers’ interest and curiosity. And it shouldn’t be the same as your radio intro, which t ells listeners what the story is about and why they should care. In a written story, that’s the function of the “nut graph” (which will be the subject of a future post) — not the lead.

The journalism lead’s  main job (I’m personally fond of the  nostalgic spelling , “lede,” that derives from the bygone days of typesetting when newspaper folks needed to differentiate the lead of a story from the  lead  of hot type) is to make the reader want to stay and spend some precious time with whatever you’ve written. It sets the tone and pace and direction for everything that follows. It is the puzzle piece on which the rest of the story depends. To that end, please write your lead first — don’t undermine it by going back and thinking of one to slap on after you’ve finished writing the rest of the story.

Coming up with a good lead is hard. Even the most experienced and distinguished writers know this. No less a writer than John McPhee has called it “ the hardest part of a story to write.” But in return for all your effort, a good lead will do a lot of work for you — most importantly, it will make your readers eager to stay awhile.

There are many different ways to start a story. Some examples of the most common leads are highlighted below. Sometimes they overlap. (Note: These are not terms of art.)

Straight news lead

Just the facts, please, and even better if interesting details and context are packed in. This kind of lead works well for hard news and breaking news.

Some examples:

“After mass street protests in Poland, legislators with the country’s ruling party have abruptly reversed their positions and voted against a proposal to completely ban abortion.” (By NPR’s Camila Domonoske )

“The European Parliament voted Tuesday to ratify the landmark Paris climate accord, paving the way for the international plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions to become binding as soon as the end of this week.” (By NPR’s Rebecca Hersher )

“The United States announced it is suspending efforts to revive a cease-fire in Syria, blaming Russia’s support for a new round of airstrikes in the city of Aleppo.” (By NPR’s Richard Gonzales )

All three leads sum up the news in a straightforward, clear way — in a single sentence. They also hint at the broader context in which the news occurred.

Anecdotal lead

This type of lead uses an anecdote to illustrate what the story is about.

Here’s a powerful anecdotal lead to a story about Brazil’s murder rate and gun laws by NPR’s Lulu Garcia-Navarro :

“At the dilapidated morgue in the northern Brazilian city of Natal, Director Marcos Brandao walks over the blood-smeared floor to where the corpses are kept. He points out the labels attached to the bright metal doors, counting out loud. It has not been a particularly bad night, yet there are nine shooting victims in cold storage.”

We understand right away that the story will be about a high rate of gun-related murder in Brazil. And this is a much more vivid and gripping way of conveying it than if Lulu had simply stated that the rate of gun violence is high.

Lulu also does a great job setting the scene. Which leads us to …

Scene-setting lead

Byrd Pinkerton, a 2016 NPR intern, didn’t set foot in this obscure scholarly haven , but you’d never guess it from the way she draws readers into her story:

“On the second floor of an old Bavarian palace in Munich, Germany, there’s a library with high ceilings, a distinctly bookish smell and one of the world’s most extensive collections of Latin texts. About 20 researchers from all over the world work in small offices around the room.”

This scene-setting is just one benefit of Byrd’s thorough reporting. We even get a hint of how the place smells.

First-person lead

The first-person lead should be used sparingly. It means you, the writer, are immediately a character in your own story. For purists, this is not a comfortable position. Why should a reader be interested in you? You need to make sure your first-person presence is essential — because you experienced something or have a valuable contribution and perspective that justifies conveying the story explicitly through your own eyes. Just make sure you are bringing your readers along with you.

Here, in the spirit of first-personhood, is an example from one of my own stories :

“For many of us, Sept. 11, 2001, is one of those touchstone dates — we remember exactly where we were when we heard that the planes hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I was in Afghanistan.”

On a historic date, I was in a place where very few Americans were present, meaning I’m able to serve as a guide to that place and time. Rather than stating I was in Afghanistan in the first sentence, I tried to draw in readers by reminding them that the memory of Sept. 11 is something many of us share in common, regardless of where we were that day.

Observational lead

This kind of lead steps back to make an authoritative observation about the story and its broader context. For it to work, you need to understand not just the immediate piece you’re writing, but also the big picture. These are useful for stories running a day or more after the news breaks.

Here’s one by the Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty , a political reporter with decades of experience:

“At the lowest point of Donald Trump’s quest for the presidency, the Republican nominee might have brought in a political handyman to sand his edges. Instead, he put his campaign in the hands of a true believer who promises to amplify the GOP nominee’s nationalist message and reinforce his populist impulses.”

And here’s another by NPR’s Camila Domonoske , who knows her literary stuff, juxtaposing the mundane (taxes) with the highbrow (literary criticism):

“Tax records and literary criticism are strange bedfellows. But over the weekend, the two combined and brought into the world a literary controversy — call it the Ferrante Furor of 2016.”

Zinger lead

Edna Buchanan, the legendary, Pulitzer Prize-winning crime reporter for the Miami Herald , once said that a good lead should make a reader sitting at breakfast with his wife “spit out his coffee, clutch his chest and say, ‘My god, Martha. Did you read this?’”

That’s as good a definition as any of a “zinger” lead. These are a couple of Buchanan’s:

“His last meal was worth $30,000 and it killed him.” (A man died while trying to smuggle cocaine-filled condoms in his gut.)

“Bad things happen to the husbands of Widow Elkin.” (Ms. Elkin, as you might surmise, was suspected of bumping off her spouses.)

After Ryan Lochte’s post-Olympic Games, out-of-the-water escapades in Rio, Sally Jenkins, writing in the Washington Post , unleashed this zinger:

“Ryan Lochte is the dumbest bell that ever rang.”

Roy Peter Clark, of the Poynter Institute,  deconstructs Jenkins’ column here , praising her “short laser blast of a lead that captures the tone and message of the piece.”

Here are a few notes on things to avoid when writing leads:

• Clichés and terrible puns. This goes for any part of your story, and never more so than in the lead. Terrible puns aren’t just the ones that make a reader groan — they’re in bad taste, inappropriate in tone or both. Here’s one example .
• Long, rambling sentences. Don’t try to cram way too much information into one sentence or digress and meander or become repetitive. Clarity and simplicity rule.
• Straining to be clever. Don’t write a lead that sounds better than it means or promises more than it can deliver. You want your reader to keep reading, not to stop and figure out something that sounds smart but is actually not very meaningful. Here’s John McPhee again: “A lead should not be cheap, flashy, meretricious, blaring: After a tremendous fanfare of verbal trumpets, a mouse comes out of a hole, blinking.”
• Saying someone “could never have predicted.” It’s not an informative observation to say someone “could never have imagined” the twists and turns his or her life would take. Of course they couldn’t! It’s better to give the reader something concrete and interesting about that person instead.
• The weather . Unless your story is about the weather, the weather plays a direct role in it or it’s essential for setting the scene, it doesn’t belong in the lead. Here’s a story about Donald Trump’s financial dealings that would have lost nothing if the first, weather-referenced sentence had been omitted.

One secret to a good lead

Finally, good reporting will lead to good leads. If your reporting is incomplete, that will often show up in a weak lead. If you find yourself struggling to come up with a decent lead or your lead just doesn’t seem strong, make sure your reporting is thorough and there aren’t unanswered questions or missing details and points. If you’ve reported your story well, your lead will reflect this.

Further reading:

• A Poynter roundup of bad leads
• A classic New Yorker story by Calvin Trillin with a great lead about one of Buchanan’s best-known leads.
• A long read by John McPhee , discussing, among other things, “fighting fear and panic, because I had no idea where or how to begin a piece of writing for The New Yorker .” It happens to everyone!

Hannah Bloch is a digital editor for international news at NPR.

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Journalistic Style

Professional writing , how-to , college writing.

Writing in a journalistic style is not a skill all college students get to learn; however, it is definitely useful regardless of the career field one chooses. We’re so used to writing paragraph after paragraph, citing sources, formatting bibliographies, and making sure we meet the page or word count requirement. Journalism is different. The basic rules of English still must be followed, and there is a certain format and writing style used. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you understand the difference between writing an essay and an article:

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT use superfluous words, phrases or information.

Journalists need to understand that not every member of their audience has the same level of education, so simple language should be used. For example, you may not see the word “superfluous” in an article, but you may see “excessive” or “unnecessary.”

In addition, readers don’t always have the time to sit down and read every minute detail about an event, so a journalist must write the most important facts (preferably at the beginning of the story), keeping the story short and sweet, but long enough that the reader can piece together what happened and make sense of it.

Paragraphs in articles are generally no longer than a couple of sentences, although in more in-depth pieces, they can be around four or five sentences long.

Image from Creative Commons search Website: https://pixabay.com/p-154444/?no_redirect

Here are a few phrases that are redundant or can be shortened in articles, and their replacement words are in parentheses ( from Flyod Baskette and Jack Sissors ) :

• A good part (much)
• A little less than (almost)
• Accidentally stumbled (stumbled)
• Disclosed for the first time (disclosed)
• Jewish Rabbi (Rabbi)
• Due to the fact that (because)
• Easter Sunday (Easter)
• Entered a bid of (bid)
• Grand total (total)
• In the immediate vicinity (near)

Style and Formatting

The Associated Press has specific style notes that journalists follow. Here are a few:

• DO NOT start a sentence with a number, unless it is a year (e.g., 1920 was a great year for dancing).
• Use Roman numerals to describe wars and important people, such as World War II, Pope Benedict XVI, Queen Elizabeth II, etc.
• When describing decades or centuries, do not use an apostrophe between the year and the ‘s’ at the end (e.g., 1990s, the ‘60s, etc.)
• Names – The first time you mention a person in a story, ALWAYS use his or her first and last name. Any time you refer to him or her afterwards, use just the last name. Avoid using titles like Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms. unless they are in a quotation.
• Cities – There are a list of 30 cities that do not require state names after them, two of which are Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The other 28 are available here . 

Gatlung and Ruge give some insight as to how the gatekeepers of news (those who pick which stories need to be written) choose stories. First, the story must be relevant. If the Orioles beat the Yankees in the ALCS, sports fans would want to hear about that immediately, not two days after it happened. Though it would still be news two days later, it has more relevance the sooner it is printed (which ties in with timeliness).

Additionally, gatekeepers sometimes choose softer (or what I call “feel good”) stories to balance out the harder, investigative pieces. Unfortunately, a lot of our news is negative, with shootings happening almost daily across the nation, robberies, car accidents, etc., and that is what keeps a reader’s attention. Journalists need to be aware of the nature of the stories they write so they can keep the public more informed.

Final thoughts: use complete sentences, avoid comma splices , and always, always, ALWAYS report the facts as accurately as possible. Before you know it, writing articles will be as easy as writing a 5-page research paper.

-Kelsey , peer tutor

29 September, 2015 by McDaniel College Writing Center

Free Journalism Essay Examples & Topics

A journalism essay is a type of paper that combines personal records and reports. Besides news and facts, it should contain a story. An angle that creates a unique narrative of the events you are describing is crucial. However, let’s start with the definition.

No matter how often people hear about journalism, they still might get confused about what it is. It is an act of informative writing about news stories. It can be digital and non-digital, print and non-print. Journalists strive to present information in an interesting way while staying true to the source.

If you have seen journalistic article examples, you know there are two types. News can cover “hard stories”, meaning world events and politics, and “softer stories” about celebrities, science, etc. Journalism as a profession is multidimensional in nature. It can include texts, photography, interviews, and more. Content varies between different categories, such as literary reportage and yellow journalism.

Here, our experts have combined tips about how to write a good journalistic essay. We gathered information that will be useful for starting research and completing it. Moreover, you will find journalism topic ideas. You can use them for inspiration or to practice. Finally, underneath the article you will discover some stellar journalistic essay examples written by other students.

How to Write a Journalistic Essay

In this section, you’ll find tips that can help you start writing. However, nothing is more vital than choosing an appropriate journalism essay topic beforehand.

Before picking the subject, ask yourself several questions:

• What themes do I want to explore?
• What will my story be about?
• What points do I want to make?
• What is my attitude towards the topic?

Answering these questions can allow you to improve your storytelling. What’s more, look for one that can allow you to write intimately. Personal touches and views will influence your paper immensely. With all that in mind, try our free topic generator to get more ideas.

To write an outstanding journalistic essay, you should try these tips:

• Gather facts and references first.

Collect all the information you may need for your paper. For a story in journalism, you may be required to interview people or visit a location. Most importantly, you’ll have to research online. Also, you can read stories written by other people on the Internet to gain a better perspective.

• Organize your ideas and arguments before writing.

A good story is always organized. The structure of a journalistic should represent an inverted pyramid. The most crucial facts appear on the top, less important details go further, and extra information stays on the bottom. You can reflect in your writing. Organize all your arguments before writing, sticking to a logical structure.

• Rely on storytelling.

The story should become the main focus of your work. The writing should serve it and grab the reader’s attention from the start. Think about storytelling techniques that can keep your reader interested till the very end.

• Work on your style and language.

Another essential technique to keep your work both logical and engaging is to write in short sentences. If you search for any journalistic writing examples, you’ll see that’s how journalists write. The main goal of your paper is to deliver a clear and strong message. So, working on your style is going to help you further this agenda.

21 Journalism Essay Topics

There are so many journalism topics you can write about, and it can sometimes be challenging to stick to one. If you are still unsure what to describe and explore in your paper, this section can help you make this choice.

Here are some original journalism topic ideas:

• The way race impacts the news in different states in the US.
• Super Bowl as a phenomenon is more important than the game.
• Why people refuse to believe in climate change.
• How have sports changed international politics?
• Is creative writing in high school an essential subject?
• How vital is transparency in broadcast journalism?
• Is media responsible for the Covid-19 crisis in the US?
• Journalism as a profession can help change the world.
• A privacy issue between British journalism and the royal family.
• Are social media and blogging the future of journalism?
• The role of religion and race in Hollywood.
• Why has the Chinese economy risen so much over the past decade?
• How can media help in battling poverty in developing countries?
• Can music be used as political propaganda?
• Connections between social media and depression.
• Should mobile phones be allowed in educational institutions?
• Has the Internet impacted the way how newspapers and articles are written?
• Should fake news be banned on social media?
• What are the biggest challenges of investigative journalism?
• Can reality television be viewed as a type of journalism?
• How can athletes impact social awareness?

Thank you for reading the article! We hope you will find it helpful. Do not hesitate to share this article or a list of journalism essay examples with others. Good luck with your assignment!

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Jerz's Literacy Weblog (est. 1999)

Editorials: how to write opinion journalism.

The “lead editorial” represents the official collective position of the editorial board of a news publication.

More generally, an editorial is a special genre of journalism that aims to inform, persuade, and/or entertain through a well-written short essay. 

Like other forms of journalism, an editorial  uses quotes, facts, and logic to inform readers, and its content is still covered by ethical principles (such as fairness and libel). Unlike a hard news story (which aims for a neutral point of view), an editorial defends an opinion , which could be a non-partisan message about the importance of voting, but could also mean explaining why one candidate is better suited for an elected position than the other candidates.

Opinions that the editors express on the editorial page should stay there — they should not affect any of the news coverage. Individual reporters shouldn’t slant their stories to reflect or rebut editorial opinions.

Note how the webmasters have included the word “Editorial” or “Guest Column” in the headline, so that people sharing links won’t mistake these opinion pieces for neutral news stories. 

• Editorial: Let health experts accompany cops, police and reformers agree
• The Guardian view on nature tourism: tread lightly Editorial
• Will Smith Must Return His Oscar to Restore the Award’s Honor (Guest Column)

Related Terms

• column : a regularly scheduled article, usually containing an opinion, and often driven by the personality of the author. (Example: Dave Barry )
• op-ed (guest editorial): a persuasive essay written by a named, individual author, such as a managing editor or other newspaper employee, or a prominent figure from the community. So named because it traditionally appeared on the page opposite the editorials; it is not necessarily the “opposing view” of anyone else’s argument. ( LA Times Op-Ed page ; op-ed written by an AI bot )
• Why Biden Isn’t Getting Flamed as Being Soft on Terror
• Student Loan Forgiveness Is an Idea Whose Time Has Gone
• letter to the editor : a short essay written by a member of the general public, usually responding to a specific story. 

Opinion in Editorials

While you may put a bumper sticker on your car or ad a hashtag to your social media profile  in order to show your allegiance to an issue or philosophy, in the context of persuasive writing, repeating a slogan does not count as presenting an opinion .

My Seton Hill colleagues Michael Carey and Frank Klapak often talk about the difference between your gut reaction to an issue (“Smoking is bad!” or “Don’t tell me what to do!”), and your thoughtful, considered opinion (“A law that prohibits all smoking within 200 yards of school property places an undue burden on school employees with a physical disability, who may have to drive off campus for their smoking breaks, and unfairly makes criminals out of smokers who happen to own houses near school property.”)

An array of bumper-sticker slogans that support one side of an ongoing debate (abortion, smoking, Iraq) does not constitute a political editorial; neither does a list of rhetorical questions (“Does the president think the American people are stupid, or is he just too clueless to know how ridiculous his health care reform really sounds?” or “How does a rich, powerful woman like [name your target] manage to fool so many idiots into thinking she understands the concerns of the working class?”). These are attacks, not thoughtful approaches to exploring how and why diverse groups of people respond in various ways to a complex idea.

A few years ago, a student began an editorial assignment with a draft that was really a rant: “Why are so many classes at SHU only offered every other year?”  While his frustration was understandable, his first draft made no attempt to answer that question — he simply vented his anger, and announced that more courses should be offered every year.

I encouraged him to do what reporters do — find answers.

He talked to some faculty members about the issue, investigating the pros and cons of offering courses more frequently, and and he learned that if these every-other-year courses were offered every year, they would be much less likely to fill up, and therefore more likely to be canceled.

If 10 people take a course that’s offered every other year, then probably only 5 people would take it if it were offered every year.  Now, I personally would love to teach classes to only 5 students… but then who would teach all the  other  courses, the ones that 20 or 40 students need each semester?  We’d have to hire more faculty members to teach those courses.  Where would the money come from to pay for those additional faculty members?  From higher tuition, of course.

There’s usually a reason why things are the way they are. Sometimes it’s a pretty good reason. After you find out the reason, you’re ready to persuade your readers of a superior solution.

Tips for Writing Editorials

Write tight. Make a single point, in about 400 words. (Guest editorials, written by an invited expert, can tackle a more complex subject, and may be 800 words or even longer. The editorial page editor will work with a submission, helping the writer make his or her case with precise, snappy, expressive phrasing.)

• Write short, journalism-style  paragraphs — two or three sentences , not the page-long monsters you construct for academic papers.
• Start with your main point.
• Avoid “There are many ways that X has been important in recent weeks. One such way is Y.”  Instead, try “X forced itself upon us for the third time this month, when Y happened.”
• Finish strong.  Don’t just repeat your thesis — bring the reader somewhere.

Pick a topic that  emerges from the news . (That is, your paper is already running a news article on this topic, and you are adding your opinion to the coverage.)

Avoid vague references to “some people say” or “research shows.”  Name names. Interview sources yourself.

• If you’re writing about a national issue, you probably won’t get a quote from the President of the United States.
• You might, however, get a quote from a professor who specializes on a topic that’s in the news, or the president of a student club that’s relevant to your story.

Presume that  your opponent has good reasons  for disagreeing with you. Talk to people on the other side, and include some of their eloquent, well-argued points. Carefully and respectfully explain why your position is nevertheless more accurate (or ethical, or practical, or inspirational, or whatever).

• Avoid trying to make your opinion seem stronger by distorting the other side, either through exaggeration (“Animal rights groups would rather millions of people from cancer than have one animal die during a scientific experiment”) or by using unflattering labels (“nicotine addicts who oppose my right to breathe fresh air…” “reactionary tea-baggers whose pathetic world-view is threatened by Obama’s heroic economic vision…” ).
• Making “the other side” look evil or stupid may fool people who don’t know what you are talking about, but people who do know something about the subject can (and will) write a letter to the editor correcting your misrepresentations.

Don’t think of your goal as picking a fight with people who make you angry. Instead, try swaying the opinion of a reasonable person who sees the merits of both sides .

Write for something specific (not just against something)

Avoid simply listing complaints, or attacking a silent opponent with a series of aggressive questions that you have no intention of researching. 

Why is the salad bar so expensive this year? For the past several years, the cost of a large salad has gone up 10 cents each fall. This year, it jumped almost a dollar.  Is a salad really worth $3? For just a little more, I could get a hot meal. Why are our food prices so unfair?

Whine, whine, whine! Anybody can churn out a list of complaints  against  topic X.  It’s another thing entirely to come up with a solution, and then make a public statement in its favor.

So, instead of just whining about the high price of a salad, I might instead contact the dining services, and actually ask why the price went up. I might hear the manager tell me that customers had frequently requested more chicken salad and other expensive meat dishes.  My editorial becomes an opportunity to inform, as I explain the reason for the price increase, and make a sensible suggestion — $2.00 greens-only option.

Examples (Two from my blog, one from an online newspaper. Feel free to comment if you wish.)

• Surprising Sexist Statement from a University Professor  (200 words)
• About the Golden Rule for Ed Tech Vendors  (400 words, excluding article excerpt)
• Football Slouches Towards a Former Women’s College  (1600 words)

Additional Readings

A great series from Poynter Online (a craft-centered journalism education website)

• Introduction
• The Editorial Critique  by Fred Fiske
• The Baltimore   Sun Editorial  &  critique
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial  &  critique

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How to Write Like a Journalist (12 Tips)

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It is a way of organizing information so that the most important points are at the beginning, and the less important points are at the end.

This style is perfect for online marketing, because it ensures that readers will get the most important information first.

People are too concerned with “storytelling,” or the vague notion they have of what storytelling is.

This results in blog posts with 500 word long introductions that don’t say a damn thing, when all I want to know is “how to write a welcome email” (or whatever I searched for).

Journalists know to get to the point. Basically, don’t bury the lede. 

Even in narrative journalism and op-eds, the structure is set up so you know the promise of the piece.

Take, for example, The Atlantic. Fantastic journalism. 

And while they use the narrative structure in the eventual introduction, they always give me a one-liner (plus a descriptive headline) so I know what I’m about to invest my time into reading.

Related to the inverted pyramid, journalists also try to answer the 5 Ws of a story as quickly as possible. 

• What? 
• Where? 
• When? 

Know, however, that this structure is pretty specifically applied to news articles (and not narrative non-fiction, telling an intriguing or compelling story, or even just for general SEO tutorials).

Look at any Associated Press article and you can see the 5 Ws right in the first paragraph or two:

2. There are different kinds of journalism, you know?

There are different styles of journalism, each with its own purpose and audience. 

That’s why I sort of hate it when content marketers opine that “content marketers should act like journalists.” 

Journalism is a broad category. There are TONS of types of journalism.

Here are some of the most common:

• News Journalism: This is the type of journalism that most people think of when they hear the word. News journalists report on current events, often with a focus on politics, crime, or other hard news stories.
• Feature Journalism: Feature stories are more in-depth than news stories, and they often humanize the people and events involved. They can be found in both print and online publications.
• Opinion Journalism: Opinion pieces are articles that express the author’s point of view on a particular issue. They are common in online publications and newspapers.
• Investigative Journalism: Investigative journalists shed light on important issues by conducting in-depth research. Their stories often expose corruption or other wrongdoing.

These four are also primarily examples of print journalism, leaving out all other mediums, formats, and multimedia.

Writing like a journalist doesn’t just mean using HARO to get quotes from “experts” looking for backlinks.

It means applying the particular model of journalistic writing or media production that applies to your situation.

For example, our podcast could be construed as journalism (broadcast journalism, perhaps?), but the way we write content is much more like an op-ed than it is investigative journalism. 

We are “columnists” because we KNOW what we’re writing about, and we’re intertwining our own opinions and experience into the piece.

We’re also writing to rank in search engines and reach our target audience. Though we care about being factually accurate (to the extent that exists in certain marketing topics), we don’t have the same scrutiny from fact checkers that The New York Times faces. 

3. Focus on the headline

Your headline is the most important part of your article – it’s what will make people want to read it in the first place. A good headline should be:

• Descriptive

Lately, journalism broadly has shifted towards clickbait. It’s the way the modern attention economy and media ecosystem work, especially when most content distribution occurs on social media platforms.

But that’s not an inherent structure of blog headline creation. The headline is simply a tool to get people to read the rest of the content (which, hopefully, is valuable, else you wouldn’t have published it).

For instance, SEO headlines are much different than social media headlines. They’re mostly straightforward and descriptive, often involving the search keyword as the center of the headline. This article I’m writing is targeting the keyword “how to write like a journalist,” so I might even just use that as the headline.

4. Lead with the most important information (sometimes)

The lede (or opening paragraph) is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention and give them the most important information upfront. Every sentence that follows should be of decreasing importance until you get to the fluff at the end.

This is true – mostly.

Like I mentioned in the first tip on the inverted pyramid, you do have some wiggle room on the structure of your piece.

It all depends on the type of journalism or content you’re producing and the intent and context the audience has coming into the piece.

If you’re writing for The New Yorker, your audience already understands they’re signing up for a long form essay on a topic. You don’t necessarily need to give all the facts up front in the first paragraph (and in fact, that would degrade the experience for the reader).

The structure of the content is a tool used to facilitate the effective delivery of the story or insight you’re trying to transmit.

Writing clearly is a function of thinking clearly and understanding the context of your audience.

However, I will say this: most content is written with too much fluff and could benefit from putting the important information front and center.

5. Use short sentences and active voice

Most people have short attention spans, so make your sentences short and sweet.

Get to the point quickly, and use active voice (“He wrote an article” not “An article was written by him”) whenever possible.

This will make your writing more readable and easier to understand.

Additionally, you should strive for precision and clarity with every word.

Don’t use flowery language or technical jargon if there’s a simpler word that gets the point across just as effectively.

Writing like a journalist means getting to the point efficiently and directly – don’t beat around the bush.

Writing online, especially, you need to chop up your paragraphs and sentences to be as scannable as possible.

6. Write for your audience, not yourself

It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own little world and forget who we’re actually writing for – but it’s important to remember that at the end of the day, our goal is to provide value for our readers, not stroke our own ego.

Keep this in mind when you sit down to write, and you’ll be able to create better content that resonates with your audience.

7. Tell a story

Humans are hardwired for stories – we love them, and we remember them. So if you can find a way to tell a story in your article, do it. 

This will make your writing more enjoyable to read, and more likely to stick with your readers long after they’ve finished reading.

Listen to this podcast I did with Matthew Dicks (author of Storyworthy) for a masterclass in storytelling.

8. Use quotes liberally

Nothing adds credibility or authority to an article like a well-placed quote from an expert in the field. If you can find someone who backs up what you’re saying (preferably someone famous or well-respected), don’t be afraid to use their words instead of yours – it can do wonders for the perceived quality of your article.

If you’re a content marketer, nothing is stopping you from adding customer quotes or quotes from influencers in your ICP to your content. 

In fact, there’s no harm and only upside in doing so. 

9. Find data to support your claims 

Data is king when it comes to content marketing – if you can find data that supports what you’re saying, use it.

People are more likely to believe something if they see numbers and statistics backing it up, so finding data points that help prove your point can go a long way in making your writing more convincing. 

I’ll go one step further: find opposing data as well.

A (good) journalist isn’t unlike an analyst. You’re seeking truth, not just facts to support your existing opinions. 

Get good at reading research papers and data, because it’ll go a long way in making you credible. 

Also: journalists are notoriously innumerate with research. That’s why you see those silly headlines about “chocolate curing cancer” and whatever else Men’s Health is publishing nowadays. 

Read this amazing article about a guy who scammed journalists into spreading bullshit science. 

10. Edit, edit, edit

Once you’ve finished writing, put your article away for a day or two – then come back and edit it with fresh eyes. 

This will help you catch any errors or typos that you might have missed before, and will also allow you to see any areas where your argument could be stronger. 

After editing, have someone else read it over as well – another set of eyes can always spot things that you might have missed. 

One thing that really distinguishes most journalism (except The New Yorker) is that they remove unnecessary words and leave only supporting details that help tell the story. 

This isn’t just the case in news writing, but for short stories and even long form essays as well. 

11. Write regularly

You know what journalists actually do that’s different from everyone else? They write a lot. 

They don’t have writer’s block; they have deadlines. 

The only way to get better at writing is…to write! The more often you write, the easier it will become, and the better your articles will be as a result.

So if you want to improve your writing skills, commit to writing regularly ,and watch as your skills (and articles) improve over time.

Stop thinking. Write that first sentence. Then write the second sentence. Gather information for supporting details. Write another paragraph. Then chop out some unnecessary words. And get better every time you put your pen to the page. 

12. Ignore these rules when necessary

If you’re Hunter S. Thompson, you can ignore all of these rules.

Additionally, the goal of content marketing is NOT to write like a journalist. It’s to produce results.

If that means writing verbose copy with a long and winding narrative, then ignore me. Ignore all of these tips.

Writing like a journalist should be a tool used to transmit your message more effectively and create valuable, engaging content for your audience. 

Honestly, I think you should play around with different styles of writing and see what fits your purpose. You don’t need to take what newsroom writers are doing and apply it if you’re a blogger. 

If you find these tips won’t facilitate that purpose, then ignore ’em. Simple.

Writing like a journalist requires precision and clarity, getting directly to the point, writing for your audience, telling stories and using quotes liberally. 

It’s also important to find data that supports your claims, edit and rewrite regularly, and ignore the rules when necessary. 

While most people say “write like a journalist,” this is a trite statement that lumps all news organizations and media companies together. In reality, there are many forms of journalism and some of them apply to content and SEO better than others. 

Do you need to follow AP style? Maybe, but probably not. Personally I don’t even care if you miss a comma (see what I did there?) if you teach me something of substance. 

But, by following these writing tips, you’ll probably become a better writer . And being a better writer will help you transmit relevant information to your audience. 

Alex Birkett

Alex is a co-founder of Omniscient Digital. He loves experimentation, building things, and adventurous sports (scuba diving, skiing, and jiu jitsu primarily). He lives in Austin, Texas with his dog Biscuit.

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How to Write a Journalistic Article: Tips for Students

• Categories : Help with writing assignments paragraphs, essays, outlines & more
• Tags : Homework help & study guides

Writing for a newspaper, magazine or online publication is different than writing a standard essay. Research and organization are just as necessary, but throw out that introduction/body/conclusion form you’re used to. Journalism is front-loaded. You need to get your point out early and follow it with details. If you save all your juicy information for a climax at the end, your reader will get bored and turn the page first.

Journalistic Construction

Journalism uses an “inverted pyramid” style. Picture your article in the shape of a triangle widest at the top with the point on the bottom. This is how your story should be built. Your first line should be the most important. If the reader is scanning through the paper and reads only the first line, he should get a good idea of your article’s content. You need to hook the reader from the beginning else he will quickly move to something more exciting. Nobody reads every word of a newspaper or magazine. On the web, attention spans are even shorter.

Follow your first line with solid details. Expand your point. Imagine your reader’s questions and answer them. Continue to follow the inverted pyramid. Rank your information in order of importance and put the best stuff first.

Finish with the least necessary information. Include background most readers will know but some may not, such as related news from last week. Show how this story is relevant to other stories. Add some odd facts or statistics associated with your article.

Not only does the inverted pyramid style grab your reader by placing the meat first, it makes it easier for your editor. Squeezing all the articles and ads into a limited space sometimes requires an editor to cut your submission. If you built it right, the editor can easily clip the bottom from your article without losing the point.

Just the Facts

For most publications, you should keep your opinions out of it. Use solid, backed-up facts to prove what you think. Use choice quotes from reputable sources to add color and authenticity, but don’t overdo it. Use statistics to amplify your point, but realize you can find a number to prove almost anything. Interview people. Do your own research. If you hear or see it once, double-check it. Hear or see it three times, it might be true.

And know for certain that just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true. Look in at least three places to see if they agree with each other. I once read something online about a product. I thought was false. I looked someplace else that listed the same falsehood. Then I looked to the manufacturer’s website to find I was right all along. My first source probably looked at the second source, thought it was true, and spread the wrong facts.

Know that readers will try to poke holes in your article, so read it critically. Think about how you would rebut your own writing and counter that argument.

Giant Headlines Attack the Page!

Your headline is the most important set of words in your article. It will get you read or ignored. Be strong. Be specific. Use important terms. Summarize your article with a great handful of words.

Lead off with the big names in your article. Don’t say: “President Visits Midwestern City”. Rather use: “Obama Visits Minneapolis”. While you’re at it, use a great verb like “entertains” or “storms”. Be sure to use to the best, most compact, descriptive words you can.

Superlatives grasp attention. Use them if you can. Say “Easiest Pie Crust” rather than “Pie Crust Recipe”. It’s a simple way, I mean the simplest way to catch a reader’s eye.

How To articles and lists are the most popular publications on the web. Simply changing from “Building a Birdhouse” to “How To Build a Birdhouse” or “Top 10 Birdhousing Tips” will make your writing stand out to readers and search engines.

Style Guides

There are multiple schools of journalistic writing. You may be asked to use AP, Chicago, MLA, APA or another format. Each is a standardization of how to cite sources, use contractions, write numerals, capitalize, format headlines and more. Each style has its own handbook available online or at your library. Purdue Online Writing Lab is a great resource for style guides and other writing tips. Getting all the details right my be maddening, but you don’t want to be marked down or rejected because you didn’t punctuate your bibliography correctly or you italicized something you shouldn’t have.

• Write a paragraph using a statistic to prove something is true. Then use another statistic to prove it is false.
• Interview a classmate and write an article about one fascinating aspect.
• Take a classmate’s article and read only the first half. Discuss with your classmate if the article still delivers its message.
• How to Write Great Headlines - http://modernl.com/article/how-to-write-great-headlines
• Purdue Owl - http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/735/
• Photo by Beth Rankin from Kent, OH, USA (What I Did on My Spring Break) [CC-BY-2.0 ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 )], via Wikimedia Commons

How to Write a Stellar Profile Essay?

09 February, 2021

13 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

A profile essay, or article, is a piece of journalistic-cum-literary writing. The aim is to present factual information on a given topic (person, place, animal, or event) while writing with an individual tone and style. In this article, we will expand on the concept of a profile essay. We will also tackle what a profile is and what purpose profiles serve. Finally, we will present strategies for preparing your research and strengthening your writing technique, as well as offer tips on structure and potential topics.

What Is a Profile Essay?

A profile essay can be considered a literary piece of writing, in which the writer mainly delivers a descriptive account of a person, place, or event. The goal of the profile essay is to be informative. It usually conforms to standards found in journalism – that is to say, using facts and offering impartial reportage – while conveying this information in a literary style.

Literary style means offering more to the reader than a revised press release or stenographed interview. Offer insight and immersion to the reader, show them the layers of character and environment, and run these underlying factual happenings through your individual interpretation of it all. 

The Purpose of Profile Essays

The purpose of a profile essay is to be read and well-received by an audience. It is not an obscure technical writing piece, although it may cover obscure figures or events. In general, profile essays appear in magazines and newspapers – in either their print or digital formats. They also appear in scholarly or trade journals, usually covering rising or established people within these niches.

For the writer, a profile essay is a piece of writing aimed at joining the journalistic and literary style. As mentioned in the previous section, journalistic writing must be factual and rigorously checked for errors. Literary writing has some joy involved in its reading; in what way that joy comes out in ‘writing style’ is up to you.

Ultimately, with those two concepts in mind, the purpose of a profile essay is to get you, the writer, some more work. Profiles are highly prevalent and serve as a fantastic way of adding more pieces to your portfolio, whether you’re a new essay writer or a seasoned pro.

Prepare for your essay

Preparing for a profile depends on how close you are to starting writing. Writers coming to this article with a stretch of time ahead of them have the luxury of doing some background reading that is not directly related to the matter at hand. Finding a good profile essay example has the hidden benefit of looking like a lazy weekend afternoon; get a stack of magazines and read.

Some of the most common places to find quality profiles are The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, the London Review of Books, Esquire, or National Geographic. Another perspective is to look for writers, head to your bookshelf or local book store, and do some digging. Again, read and make some notes on the qualities you enjoy and dislike in a range of profiles.

Lastly, in terms of reading, examine the differences between an essay or article profiling a person and one that profiles an event.

That form of preparation is more akin to education. It is needed to bolster your understanding of the broad picture and what is essentially the marketplace for your piece of work. 

Preparing for your actual essay, not the skill of writing an ambiguous profile essay, is another matter. The research and reading that are highly relevant to your subject matter will make or break your profile essay. 

To begin with, you must find all profiles of your subject that are in existence and don’t require a transatlantic flight to a dusty library archive – in this instance, simply email the library and ask if they’ve considered digitizing their collection, starting with your desired piece. 

One of the most surefire organization tactics for research is timelining. Start at the beginning; be sure to go into ‘negative digits’ and look at the parent’s history or the town’s history, or anything else that emerges in your research.

After ‘time’ as a category of thinking comes ‘significance.’ What were the defining features of this person’s life, and to what sort of ‘movement’ might they belong? Add this into your timeline research and press on.

Have you selected a person or place that is feasible to contact and ask for a quote or interview? You may also want to reach out to other players in the story you’re telling and see what they have to say on things.

Preparing all this research can get messy and cluttered. The best way to solve this problem is to  follow a system from the start, as mentioned above; time is a great organizer. Also, keep a running bibliography in a separate file on your computer. Keep tabs on everything you’ve read, and be as forensic as possible with maintaining records. Who knows what might happen in the future regarding the focus of your essay? They might run for president, or they might fade into obscurity. 

Profile Essay Outline

As a profile essay combines qualities of journalism and literary writing, the ideal outline doesn’t exist. Literary writing can take the reader on a journey; in fact, the only requirement of the structure is to guide this journey as magnificently as possible.

Were we to suggest a general profile essay outline, it would contain these sections and ingredients. The order is flexible to an extent. It depends on the content of your profile. Have you got an interview to draw upon, or are you using your storytelling powers to deduct and infer from other sources?

In your introduction, if you’ve conducted an interview, use a quote for your lede. A good quote is an excellent way to set the tone and give an impression of your subject to the reader. Those without an interview might consider a bold statement; be sure that you use something here to act as a powerful lede and bring the reader on board. 

Alluring mysteries are one thing; though the crunch point for this gambit is to make the pay-off worthwhile. Else, the cliff-edge and the tension you create will be for nothing in the end. 

There will be time to provide things like background and biography in the main body of a profile essay. These tend to follow the lede as they’re a nice cool-down; they give the reader a chance to build knowledge on an obscure topic. Whereas for the writer, both the background and biography offer an opportunity to peg in some facts, figures, and breadcrumbs to draw upon later.

The body of a profile essay is tricky. You, first of all, need to engagingly tell your readers the story in it. Remember to build tension and really ‘let go’ when it comes to releasing that tension. Tell it to a friend, read it aloud. Move around the paragraphs. Remember that the profile is following an arc and in your conclusions, hook back in the initial qualities of the opening part. This technique is like cadence in music, and it will please your audience as long as it isn’t too trite. 

Profile Essay Topics

A suitable subject or topic depends on your qualities as a writer and the desired outcome of writing such a profile essay. Now, it does not have to include an interview, but many profile essays do include them. Some profile essay topics may be inanimate objects or complex emergences of human life (events). If this is the case, you can still interview 

For interviews, considering you’re likely a lowly reporter on a college paper, getting an interview with a high-flying sportsperson, politician, or musician is unlikely. In any event, the lower-flying specimens of these species could make a good target. 

The most important thing to consider when choosing the topic or subject is to work with your gut and instinct. If you’re interested in the story, you’re going to have much more to put into it, and your excitement and verve will show through in writing. It may also make it easier to stomach the long hours of tedious research that can emerge when trying to prove or disprove an obscurity of some kind. 

If you haven’t decided on the topic, there’s still room for maneuver. You can look at the subject matter and present your perspective on the case; that’s the subjective element of a profile, your view.

This perspective of yours can focus on just one specific aspect of a person or event. By removing the duller or more well-trodden elements of a character, you open up the chance to explore a new side of a topic. It’s also a fantastic skill for writers to be able to recap well-known things or facts quickly. Writing in this style for a very general audience should be a skill in any writer’s arsenal. 

Profile Essay Examples 

Properly digesting the advice and points made in this article can be aided by reading some profile essay examples. Look for examples given out in your class, or search around using the main keyword – profile essay examples. 

Here are a few examples for you to get a catch on how to write profile essays excellently:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/profiles

https://longreads.com/2019/12/17/longreads-best-of-2019-profiles/

https://longreads.com/2017/12/18/longreads-best-of-2017-profile-writing/

Writing Tips for a Profile Essay

How to write a profile essay in three steps; pick a subject, do your research, and start writing. Remember that a profile essay is a literary and a journalistic piece of writing. It’s non-fiction, so your facts and figures must be accurate, and any discrepancies or controversies surrounding your data can form a part of your analysis.

Always write with your reader at the forefront of your mind. Visualize your reader, even if it’s a college essay, and think of how you could pitch your piece to a publication. The natural home of a profile is in the media, not in the college textbook. So write the essay with publication in mind. 

 Here are some essential tips for a profile essay composition:

• Conduct thorough research on your topic, look for potential interviews or aspects not covered in previous profiles if they exist. Also, make sure you’ve read all of the profiles on or related to your subject matter; a profile is an evolving topic, and new facts can emerge.
• Profile examples are available online, as well as those posted by educational institutes, and of course, those featured in the media. Reading these serves as excellent preparation and inspiration.
• The structure and overall outline of a profile essay is something with a degree of flexibility. While the introduction and rounding off of the essay will look familiar, tracking a person’s profile or event can involve highly unique pieces of information. Unlike many other papers, profiles don’t have to strictly conform to the thesis, antithesis, and synthesis structure. However, this familiar form of writing still works in part when writing a profile. 

Write a Profile Essay with HandmadeWriting

HandmadeWriting can help with the development, construction, and polishing of a profile essay. As an organization, we draw on academics and writers’ expertise from across the spectrum of the written word. 

Getting started can be difficult, but consulting with HandmadeWriting offers a way to get the ball rolling. The writers at HandmadeWriting are used to working on a countless number of topics and essay styles. The staff is also familiar with working under a tight deadline, not to mention those tasks where the endpoint is less defined. 

HandmadeWriting makes composing an essay or profile piece simple. Talk with a skilled writer and editor today on your topic, and you can make a start immediately.

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How To Write A Journalism Article | Step By Step Guide

May 4, 2023 by Chief_Admin

Current events that are important to a publication’s readership are covered in journalism articles. These current events may be local, national, or global in scope. 

How to Write a Newspaper Article Article writing is a skill used worldwide, but this format differs from other types of writing due to its particular rules and structure. 

Writing journalism articles correctly can help you fulfill your obligation as a journalist to your audience.

Writing a journal article requires different strategies than writing an academic paper. You must understand the distinction between wanting to write for a school newspaper, completing a writing assignment for a class, or searching for a journalism writing job. 

Because journalism articles deliver information in a particular way, writing one differs from writing other articles or instructive pieces. 

It’s crucial to inform your target audience clearly and succinctly while fitting all the pertinent information into a small number of words. 

Learning how to write a journal article can help you pursue a career in journalism, improve your writing abilities, and improve the clarity and conciseness of your information.

Read this article on how to write a journalism article if you want to write like a real reporter.

See Also: How To Get Into Journalism With No Experience | Step By Step Guide

Table of contents

• What is a Journal Article? 

What Guidelines should a Journalism Article Follow?

• 1. Select a Topic 
• 2. For Your Journalism Article, Do Research 
• 3. Sections of a journalism article  

What is a Journal Article? 

A journal article is a piece of writing that gives the reader succinct, accurate information. 

Journalism articles typically cover noteworthy current events, such as legislation, statements, announcements, education, new research findings, election outcomes, public health, sports, and the arts. 

Unlike blog entries and opinion pieces, strong journalism articles don’t contain prejudice, speculation, or personal opinion. 

Additionally, even if a reader is unfamiliar with the subject thoroughly, the diction and syntax should be understandable. Therefore, jargon that you might encounter in a research paper or essay is not present in journalism stories.

The rules of journalism writing apply whether you’re learning how to write a brief journalism article for a school assignment or want to include a variety of clips in your writing portfolio. The three types of journalism articles are; Local, National & International. 

No matter what kind of journal article you’re writing, it should always contain the article’s facts, a compelling but informative headline, a paragraphed account of what happened, and quotes from experts or the general public from interviews. 

Journalism articles are typically written in the third person and steer clear of opinion, speculative language, and an informal tone.

How to Write a Journalism Article 

Writing a journalism article involves several steps that should be put into practice. Here’s how to go about doing it.

See Also: How To Get Into Sports Journalism | Full Guide

1. Select a Topic 

Before writing, you must choose a topic. While an editor or teacher occasionally gives you assignments, you’ll frequently need to develop the topics to write about. 

If you get to pick your subject, you might be able to choose one based on your own life or family article, which would provide you with a solid framework and some perspective. 

This approach, however, requires that you make an effort to avoid bias because your strong opinions may impact your conclusions. 

Another option is a topic centered on personal interest, such as your preferred sport.

2. For Your Journalism Article, Do Research 

Even if you choose to write about something you are passionate about, you need to start by researching the issue by reading books and articles that will help you fully comprehend it. 

Visit your local library to research the people, companies, and events you want to write about. 

Next, interview a few people to gather more data and quotes that offer different viewpoints. 

Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of speaking with significant or newsworthy figures; an interview can be as formal or casual as you like, so unwind and enjoy yourself.

Find people with experience with the subject and strong opinions, then accurately write down or record their comments. Inform the interviewees that you will be using some of their quotes.

Check: 10 Dirtiest Cities In The World In 2023 | With Photos

3. Sections of a journalism article  

The components of a journal article  should be understood before you start writing your first draft:

Title or headline 

Your article’s headline should be intriguing and direct. Unless your magazine indicates otherwise, punctuate your title according to Associated Press style rules. Other staff members frequently write the headlines of the publication, which will help you organize your thoughts and may even save those other staff members some time. 

Examples: 

“Lost dog returns to his house.” 

Tonight’s debate is in Jasper Hall. 

The panel selects three essay winners.

Byline  

In this example, your and the author’s names appear in the byline. 

Lead (often spelled “lede”) (sometimes written “lede”) 

The lead is the opening phrase or paragraph that serves as an introduction to the entire piece. Many of the essential details are included along with the article’s summary. 

The lead will aid readers in determining whether they want to read the rest of the journal article or if they are content with the information they already know.

You might want to see this: 20 Most Underrated Cities In The World In 2023 | With Photos

The Article 

Following up on a strong lead that sets the scene, write a well-written article that includes information from your research and quotes from the people you spoke with. 

Your opinions shouldn’t be included in the article. Any occurrences should be described in time sequence. When feasible, write in the active voice rather than the passive voice, and use plain words. 

Use the inverted pyramid format when writing a journalism article by placing the most important information in the first few paragraphs and supporting it with later information. 

By doing this, the reader will always see the most crucial information first. I’m hoping they’ll be interested enough to read it through.

The Sources

Include the details and quotes that your sources provide in the body. Unlike academic papers, where you would add these at the end of the essay, this is not the case.

To leave the reader with a clear understanding of your article, your conclusion can be your last bit of information, a summary, or a carefully chosen quote.

You might find this interesting: 20 Most Modern Cities In The World In 2023 | With Photos

Readers of journalism articles within a community are informed of current events that are important to them. Whether the information is about local, national, or international events, it usually revolves around a topic of interest to the publication’s readership.

The organization of journalism pieces resembles an upside-down pyramid. The reader is always given the most critical or significant information first, followed by further plot information. A summary of the reporting or less significant supplementary information usually comes at the end of a journalism piece.

Accuracy and integrity are key components of the general guidelines for writing journalism articles. Report on an article’s specifics in a factual, objective, and straightforward manner. When writing a journalism article, avoid editorializing or sensationalizing the information and include your opinion in the text.

Huw Edwards, a BBC newsreader, explains the three Cs of journalism writing: clarity, concision, and accuracy. Writing scripts and journalism stories also requires knowing when to cut to the chase. It makes no sense to have an amazing journalism article but save the most crucial information for the end.

The “Five ‘W’s” of journalism are “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” and “Why.” Journalists can better answer the fundamental inquiries that each article should be able to address by referring back to the Five “Ws.”

Timeliness Newsworthy material and events are immediate and current because they have recently occurred. Because it’s “new,” it’s news. Closeness: Because they impact the residents of our community and region, local information and events are newsworthy.

A good article must have conflict and a resolution, tension and a resolution, and mystery and revelation. There will be losses and gains, failures and successes, peaks and troughs. An article should, above all, be about people—their aspirations and desires, love and dislike issues, and passions.

Inverted pyramid structure, the five Ws and HS, leads, objective writing, journalism techniques, quotations and attributions, AP style, and proper grammar and punctuation are all elements of a good print journalism article.

While many journalism articles are short and to the point, longer or in-depth pieces may be thousands of words long. 

Journalism articles can be 500 words or less on the shorter side. 

Use an inverted pyramid as your structure when writing a journalism article.

A topic sentence that succinctly summarizes the article’s main idea should be the first sentence in the first paragraph of a journalism article. 

This statement grabs the reader’s attention at the beginning of a journalism piece, keeping the lede from being buried. 

“Writing above the fold” refers to placing the biggest, most important journalism at the top of a folded newspaper.

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NPR Editor's Critical Op-Ed Ignites Debate Over Political Bias in Journalism: 'This Essay Has It Backwards'

A scathing op-ed from NPR veteran and current senior business editor Uri Berliner published in The Free Press on Tuesday has intensified debates over whether the publicly funded news organization has adopted a partisan lean in recent years. 

In the piece , Berliner details a culture shift at the organization, in which "An open-minded spirit no longer exists within NPR, and now, predictably, we don't have an audience that reflects America."

Berliner argued that NPR is plagued with an "absence of viewpoint diversity," which he considers to be a result of leadership's emphasis on promoting diversity and inclusion on the basis of race and sexual orientation. He also claims that he found "87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans."

NPR editor-in-chief Edith Chapin defended the organization in response to the piece, saying she the leadership team "strongly disagree with Uri's assessment of the quality of our journalism."

While Chapin backed the "exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she added that "None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole."

According to NPR media reporter David Folkenflik , several journalists inside the organization question how they can proceed with Berliner as a colleague, with concerns about whether he can be a trusted member of NPR in the aftermath of the op-ed. Additionally, Berliner did not seek NPR's approval to publish the piece, nor did he seek comment from the organization ahead of time; though he does say in his piece that he sought to raise his concerns with leadership on several occasions.

Meanwhile, outside of the organization, debates regarding the content of Berliner's piece have sprouted up across social media, with many coming to the defense of the storied NPR institution. 

Some argued that the shift that occurred in political coverage across the media industry was forced on institutions due to the changing nature of the Republican Party since the election of Donald Trump in 2016. 

Some came to Berliner's defense, including former NPR vice president for news Jeffrey Dvorkin who vouched for the changes to the organization. 

The post NPR Editor's Critical Op-Ed Ignites Debate Over Political Bias in Journalism: 'This Essay Has It Backwards' appeared first on TheWrap .

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NPR in Turmoil After It Is Accused of Liberal Bias

An essay from an editor at the broadcaster has generated a firestorm of criticism about the network on social media, especially among conservatives.

By Benjamin Mullin and Katie Robertson

NPR is facing both internal tumult and a fusillade of attacks by prominent conservatives this week after a senior editor publicly claimed the broadcaster had allowed liberal bias to affect its coverage, risking its trust with audiences.

Uri Berliner, a senior business editor who has worked at NPR for 25 years, wrote in an essay published Tuesday by The Free Press, a popular Substack publication, that “people at every level of NPR have comfortably coalesced around the progressive worldview.”

Mr. Berliner, a Peabody Award-winning journalist, castigated NPR for what he said was a litany of journalistic missteps around coverage of several major news events, including the origins of Covid-19 and the war in Gaza. He also said the internal culture at NPR had placed race and identity as “paramount in nearly every aspect of the workplace.”

Mr. Berliner’s essay has ignited a firestorm of criticism of NPR on social media, especially among conservatives who have long accused the network of political bias in its reporting. Former President Donald J. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to argue that NPR’s government funding should be rescinded, an argument he has made in the past.

NPR has forcefully pushed back on Mr. Berliner’s accusations and the criticism.

“We’re proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories,” Edith Chapin, the organization’s editor in chief, said in an email to staff on Tuesday. “We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world.” Some other NPR journalists also criticized the essay publicly, including Eric Deggans, its TV critic, who faulted Mr. Berliner for not giving NPR an opportunity to comment on the piece.

In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Berliner expressed no regrets about publishing the essay, saying he loved NPR and hoped to make it better by airing criticisms that have gone unheeded by leaders for years. He called NPR a “national trust” that people rely on for fair reporting and superb storytelling.

“I decided to go out and publish it in hopes that something would change, and that we get a broader conversation going about how the news is covered,” Mr. Berliner said.

He said he had not been disciplined by managers, though he said he had received a note from his supervisor reminding him that NPR requires employees to clear speaking appearances and media requests with standards and media relations. He said he didn’t run his remarks to The New York Times by network spokespeople.

When the hosts of NPR’s biggest shows, including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” convened on Wednesday afternoon for a long-scheduled meet-and-greet with the network’s new chief executive, Katherine Maher , conversation soon turned to Mr. Berliner’s essay, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. During the lunch, Ms. Chapin told the hosts that she didn’t want Mr. Berliner to become a “martyr,” the people said.

Mr. Berliner’s essay also sent critical Slack messages whizzing through some of the same employee affinity groups focused on racial and sexual identity that he cited in his essay. In one group, several staff members disputed Mr. Berliner’s points about a lack of ideological diversity and said efforts to recruit more people of color would make NPR’s journalism better.

On Wednesday, staff members from “Morning Edition” convened to discuss the fallout from Mr. Berliner’s essay. During the meeting, an NPR producer took issue with Mr. Berliner’s argument for why NPR’s listenership has fallen off, describing a variety of factors that have contributed to the change.

Mr. Berliner’s remarks prompted vehement pushback from several news executives. Tony Cavin, NPR’s managing editor of standards and practices, said in an interview that he rejected all of Mr. Berliner’s claims of unfairness, adding that his remarks would probably make it harder for NPR journalists to do their jobs.

“The next time one of our people calls up a Republican congressman or something and tries to get an answer from them, they may well say, ‘Oh, I read these stories, you guys aren’t fair, so I’m not going to talk to you,’” Mr. Cavin said.

Some journalists have defended Mr. Berliner’s essay. Jeffrey A. Dvorkin, NPR’s former ombudsman, said Mr. Berliner was “not wrong” on social media. Chuck Holmes, a former managing editor at NPR, called Mr. Berliner’s essay “brave” on Facebook.

Mr. Berliner’s criticism was the latest salvo within NPR, which is no stranger to internal division. In October, Mr. Berliner took part in a lengthy debate over whether NPR should defer to language proposed by the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association while covering the conflict in Gaza.

“We don’t need to rely on an advocacy group’s guidance,” Mr. Berliner wrote, according to a copy of the email exchange viewed by The Times. “Our job is to seek out the facts and report them.” The debate didn’t change NPR’s language guidance, which is made by editors who weren’t part of the discussion. And in a statement on Thursday, the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association said it is a professional association for journalists, not a political advocacy group.

Mr. Berliner’s public criticism has highlighted broader concerns within NPR about the public broadcaster’s mission amid continued financial struggles. Last year, NPR cut 10 percent of its staff and canceled four podcasts, including the popular “Invisibilia,” as it tried to make up for a $30 million budget shortfall. Listeners have drifted away from traditional radio to podcasts, and the advertising market has been unsteady.

In his essay, Mr. Berliner laid some of the blame at the feet of NPR’s former chief executive, John Lansing, who said he was retiring at the end of last year after four years in the role. He was replaced by Ms. Maher, who started on March 25.

During a meeting with employees in her first week, Ms. Maher was asked what she thought about decisions to give a platform to political figures like Ronna McDaniel, the former Republican Party chair whose position as a political analyst at NBC News became untenable after an on-air revolt from hosts who criticized her efforts to undermine the 2020 election.

“I think that this conversation has been one that does not have an easy answer,” Ms. Maher responded.

Benjamin Mullin reports on the major companies behind news and entertainment. Contact Ben securely on Signal at +1 530-961-3223 or email at [email protected] . More about Benjamin Mullin

Katie Robertson covers the media industry for The Times. Email:  [email protected]   More about Katie Robertson

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Google blocks California news in response to bill that would force tech giant to pay

Bobby Allyn

Some California users of Google were not able to access local news on Friday after the tech giant restricted news links in the state in response to a bill that would force the tech giant to pay publishers. Don Ryan/AP hide caption

Some California users of Google were not able to access local news on Friday after the tech giant restricted news links in the state in response to a bill that would force the tech giant to pay publishers.

Google has started blocking news articles for some people in California, the company announced on Friday.

Stories from California-based news organizations will not be available for an unspecified number of state residents who use Google to search the web, in a show of its might as Google attempts to quash a state proposal it has been fighting for years.

It is an approach Google has deployed before in the face of laws forcing the company to pay for journalism. Critics of the tech giant's hardball tactics have compared it to blackmail.

In California, the pending law in question would force tech companies like Google and Meta to pay publishers for news content.

Supporters say it would offer a lifeline to California's news organizations, which have long been shedding jobs.

Facebook, Instagram to block news stories in California if bill passes

But Google has been resisting the bill, arguing that being subject to what it calls "a link tax" for connecting California residents with news articles is "unworkable."

In its blog post, Google executive Jaffer Zaidi said the pending legislation, the California Journalism Preservation Act, is the wrong approach to supporting journalism.

"If passed, CJPA may result in significant changes to the services we can offer Californians and the traffic we can provide to California publishers," Zaidi wrote.

According to Zaidi, the blackout of California news articles is in anticipation of the bill passing. He said the move was temporary and would affect "a small percentage of California users."

In 2023, Google made $307 billion, mostly through digital advertising.

Google and Meta have developed something of a playbook in response to efforts requiring tech giants to financially support the ailing news industry.

A spokesperson for Meta did not reply to questions about whether it too would begin restricting California news. Previously, Meta had promised to do so.

In Canada, Google threatened to pull all news links in the country after the passage of a law that made the company compensate media outlets for content. But Google hammered out a deal with government officials there before ever yanking news articles. Meta, meanwhile, continues to block news articles in Canada on Instagram and Facebook.

Canada's law was patterned after similar legislation in Australia, where Meta also blocked news stories before tense negotiations led Meta and Google to eventually strike deals with news publishers.

Under the California measure , Google and Meta would have to pay news outlets for selling advertising against news links.

Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who sponsored the bill, said at least 100 news organizations in the state have closed in the past decade.

"This is a bill about basic fairness — it's about ensuring platforms pay for the content they repurpose," Wicks said in a statement.

Google says it will start blocking Canadian news stories in response to new law

Wicks argues the bill would infuse California's news industry with much-needed support in a moment in which publishers have seen subscriptions and advertising revenue precipitously decline.

Nationwide, more than 20,000 media jobs were slashed last year alone, according to the firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, which tracks employment figures. It was the highest figure since since 2020, when news outlets laid off some 30,000 workers during the pandemic.

At least 70% of digital advertising revenue has been collected by Google and Meta, according to Insider Intelligence.

The Department of Justice has sued Google over its grip on digital advertising, with federal officials alleging it amassed such power by violating U.S. competition laws.

In California, advocates of the bill say Silicon Valley has a responsibility to pay news publishers for the astronomical profits it has reaped from serving people news articles.

Yet Big Tech companies have not been the only ones critical of the push. Other skeptics said if a fee for displaying links were applied to the rest of internet, it would break "the open web" by making information less accessible.

Journalists turn to picket lines as the news business ails

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Christina Warren, an outspoken advocate for software engineers, called payments for hyperlinks "obscene," since they are "antithetical to the open web and everything it stands for."

Nonetheless, advocates of the bill, which was also introduced last year but did not gain traction, are hoping it advances and reaches Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has not yet weighed in the legislation.

"For more than a decade, tech giants built the world's most valuable companies off the backs of journalists while siphoning off revenue from news publishers by creating digital advertising monopolies," wrote Courtney Radsch, who leads the Center for Journalism and Liberty at the Open Markets Institute.

She said the legislation "is not just legislation for the media industry; it is a crucial step toward preserving the public interest in California."

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Opinion | O.J. Simpson, whose murder trial reshaped the media, dies at 76

Simpson’s trial lured a nation to its TVs, launched a network, created enduring ethics case studies and led to numerous career breakouts.

O.J. Simpson died this week at 76 after a battle with prostate cancer.

What else belongs in that sentence was a question newsrooms around the country tried to answer Thursday.

How do you adequately capture an all-American football phenomenon and larger-than-life Black celebrity who took a horrifying turn to murder suspect and then defendant in a “trial of the century” that galvanized a nation in front of the television; a 20th-century symbol and an enduring fascination?

The challenge of describing Simpson is a testament to just how complicated a figure he was. For its headline, The New York Times went with “Athlete Whose Trial Riveted the Nation,” while The Washington Post landed on “football great whose trial for murder became a phenomenon.”

The news of Simpson’s death was announced by his family on Thursday , prompting discussions of his life, legacy and what his trial and acquittal in the stabbing deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and waiter Ron Goldman mean close to 30 years later.

The trial, with a beloved celebrity defendant, a backdrop of racial tension only a few years after the 1992 Los Angeles riots, a breaking news car chase and footage from inside the courtroom, made for a natural media sensation. Ethical case studies abounded from trial coverage.

Time magazine’s June 1994 cover, featuring Simpson’s mugshot with a dramatic filter overlay that caught flak for darkening his skin color to make him look more sinister — and guilty — is a classic example in journalism classes of the ethics of photo manipulation.

Judge Lance Ito’s decision to allow cameras in the courtroom , itself a tricky ethical decision at the intersection of due process and the media, made the constant trial footage compelling fodder for viewers (and a standout example for critics of televised trials ).

That steady stream of footage also helped Court TV make a name for itself , a kingmaking moment for the young network following its coverage of the Menendez brothers murder trial .

And TMZ, which had the first media reports of Simpson’s death , was created by Harvey Levin, who came to prominence as a lawyer-turned-journalist at Los Angeles’ KCBS-TV while covering the Simpson murder trial.

Trial coverage also gave plenty of other reporters and commentators their big breakout moments: Jeanine Pirro , Greta Van Susteren , Geraldo Rivera , Jeffrey Toobin and more.

It’s hard to overstate how seismic Simpson’s trial and acquittal were. His death immediately led to reflections on that spectacle, the lasting impact on the news media, and the lessons journalists should remember the next time there’s a “trial of the century.” (Toobin, for his part, was doing just that in a recent Q&A with Politico about former president Donald Trump’s upcoming trial).

Here are some of the obituaries:

• The New York Times with “O.J. Simpson, Athlete Whose Trial Riveted the Nation, Dies at 76.”
• The Washington Post with “O.J. Simpson, football great whose trial for murder became a phenomenon, dies at 76.”
• The San Francisco Chronicle, where Simpson was from, with “O.J. Simpson, fallen football hero and S.F. native, dies at 76.”
• ESPN with “O.J. Simpson dies of cancer at age 76, family says.”
• Not an obituary but an interesting piece of coverage: USA Today with “O.J. Simpson just died. Is it too soon to talk about his troubled past?” The piece compares Simpson’s legacy with figures like early rock ‘n’ roll star Jerry Lee Lewis, whose music career was derailed when he married his 13-year-old cousin, and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who was accused of rape in a docuseries released after his death.

By Annie Aguiar, audience engagement producer

A cross-generational media fascination

As Tom Jones noted earlier this week in The Poynter Report while writing about the networks’ superior camera equipment during the total solar eclipse , some unifying moments are just owned by broadcast television.

I was born in 1998, years after Simpson was found innocent and the media circus had long packed up its tents. Occasional references permeated pop culture, and that passing knowledge calcified into an after-the-fact fascination in 2016 with “O.J.: Made in America” and “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.”

Simpson was such an enduring media figure, it doesn’t matter that I wasn’t even alive to sit in front of the television watching the white Bronco: Today, I turned to broadcast news to hear about O.J. Simpson.

I tuned into CBS News’ streaming network live today on X. Apologies to the team at CBS News, which I’m sure is doing great work on a consistent basis, but I don’t know if I’ve ever done that before.

But today, in a way my elder Gen Z, TikTok-addled brain and sad little attention span usually cringes at, I just wanted to hear a steady stream of experts with relevant archival footage. CBS News delivered that to me — and about 7,100 other viewers on X by the time I was done.

Former DCist journalists tease new worker-led outlet

Several former DCist journalists are soliciting names for a “worker-led, community-based, local outlet — one run by the people who actually make the journalism, not a C-suite.”

WAMU, an NPR member station owned by American University, abruptly shut down local news site DCist in February, laying off 15 people. WAMU general manager Erika Pulley-Hayes told Axios at the time that the organization was looking to focus on its audio products. Since the shutdown, a group of former DCist reporters have teased the possibility of starting their own worker-led outlet on social media.

“We’re committed to representing what it really means to live in D.C. Our coverage will serve the whole city: every ward, and each community that lives in and loves the District,” reads a Google Form asking people to help name the new outlet. “Our reporting will be guided by justice and equity, tackling the complex issues facing our city, like housing, safety, and education, from the perspective that all residents deserve these fundamental rights. Of course, we’re also going to be funny, curious, and irreverent at times… honoring the DCist tradition.”

Name options include 51st News, DCish, The DC Star, DC Free Press and WashRag. The group is also seeking suggestions for a tagline for their new outlet.

As layoffs in the industry abound, more and more journalists are starting worker-owned models with their former colleagues. Last year, reporters from Vice Media’s Motherboard launched 404 Media after Vice declared bankruptcy. Meanwhile, several staffers at Kotaku, owned by G/O Media, started their own outlet, Aftermath. The Colorado Sun, Defector and the current iteration of The Appeal have similar origin stories. The trend of journalists regrouping to start new ventures after a media outlet crash has long been a trend in the nonprofit news world, according to Poynter contributor Amaris Castillo .

By Angela Fu, media business reporter

Media tidbits and links for your weekend review

• “Usually, you need about 10 minutes to walk from the Rayburn House Office Building to the House Chamber. But if you’re running from a reporter, it’ll only take you five.” What a lede! It’s The Atlantic’s Elaine Godfrey with “Matt Gaetz is winning. But what’s the prize he’s after?”
• The MAGA movement and Fox News once seemed poised for a breakup. Founder and then-head Rupert Murdoch seemed to be souring on Donald Trump, and Trump was outraged when Fox News called Arizona — and therefore the 2020 election — for Joe Biden. But as Murdoch watched MAGA viewers’ contempt for the network growing, his tune may have changed — and he’s no longer in charge. “Now, four years later,” The Hollywood Reporter’s Lachlan Cartwright writes, “those close to Trump tell The Hollywood Reporter the ex-president is keen to establish more of a relationship with Murdoch’s eldest son and Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan, 52.”
• Speaking of Fox News, here’s The New York Times’ David Enrich with “How a Case Against Fox News Tore Apart a Media-Fighting Law Firm.”
• “The premium for people who can tell you things you do not know will only grow in importance, and no machine will do that,” says Jim VandeHei, CEO of Axios. The New York Times’ Katie Robertson has more on how Axios is preparing for artificial intelligence .
• Smart coverage from The Washington Post’s Philip Bump on Arizona’s abortion ban, which is derived from an 1864 law. Bump writes, “Here are some other laws Arizona had on the books in 1864.”
• The fallout at NPR continues following the publication of a critical column from Uri Berliner, a senior business editor who has worked at NPR for 25 years, in The Free Press . The New York Times’  Benjamin Mullin and Katie Robertson write “NPR in Turmoil After It Is Accused of Liberal Bias.”
• Another day that ends in “Y,” more outrage about journalists doing the most basic components of their jobs .
• Major League Baseball will likely move its Sunday morning games away from Peacock to another network, Andrew Marchand reports for The Athletic .
• Your internet service provider will soon unveil a “nutrition label” that will note speeds, fees and data caps. Engadget’s Mariella Moon shares what to expect .
• Axios’ Hope King with “James Cameron on tackling the next ‘Terminator.’”
• For Vanity Fair, it’s media reporter Brian Stelter with “The Caitlin Clark Effect.”
• This is fun … and unexpected. The Associated Press’ Steve Reed with “No inflation here: Affordable Masters’ menu still includes $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches.”

More resources for journalists

• Cover trans issues with authority and accuracy in our Beat Academy webinars. Enroll today.
• Delve more deeply into your editing skills with Poynter ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing .
• TV producers, consider our Poynter Producer Project . Apply by April 14.
• Editorial Integrity and Leadership Initiative is a fellowship for public media journalists. Apply by April 22.

Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected] .

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