English for Journalism

The Language Problems on Journalism Text:

Misspelling and Styles
 The Preliminary
The Language Problems:
1. Grammatical
2. Lexical

The Common Problems:

(1) The lack of main noun/verb; (2) Either too
long or too short sentences; (3) The lack of part
of speech (word formation); (4) Misspelling; (5)
Punctuation; and (6) Style
 The Lexical Problems
The Common Problems:
(1) Punctuation;
(2) The Part of Speech (Word Formation);
(3) Misspelling;
(4) Style
 Style
Style differs from grammar; it cannot be quantified.

Style is not concern to mechanics; it adds impact to

writing, plays the sensation, strengthens the
contact, and heightens the idea/message; results
cohesive and coherence.

The principles; suitability, simplicity, precision, and

poise.
 [1] Suitability
It presents the facts or arguments that enables
the readers to understand the idea/message.

The text must match the subject, mood, and

pace of the idea described.

The text matches the readers; avoid offending

the readers; use pace for action/movement;
sequence of events for story.
 [2] Simplicity
Be direct; get the point; avoid overstatement.

Prefer short than complex; concrete than

abstract; direct than indirect; use transitive in
active than passive; one sentence one verb;
avoid tautology.
 [3] Precision
Know exactly what words mean.

Never use words in tabliodese, ambiguous,

vogue, or confusing; see the principles of
grammar; express the meaning clearly and
accurately.
 [4] Poise
It give the writing balance.

Ease of matter and manner; words should fit the

context; text should be pleasure to read because
its balance; conveys the writer’s meaning and
leave the readers in no doubt.
 The Further Discussion on
Journalism Word Formation
[1] Exaggeration = the writer overstates the case in
effort to achieve impact; never use the words
whose meaning are unsure about.
hero = rescuer; fracas = fight; inferno = fire

[2] Tabloidese = the uncommon use of words, or

short words; people don’t use them in daily speech.
aid = help; boob = mistake; bid = try
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[3] Vogue Words = the fashionable words, it
seems to be the meaningless words; see the
accurate and comprehensible ones.
electoral; transactional; radical

[4] Jargon = specialized words, familiar to only

certain groups; see the media and audience.
patience; packaging; transaction
 Next
[5] Slang = it sometimes refers to taboo or
vulgar terms; try to use euphemism.
bloody; shit; bullshit

[6] Ambiguous Words = words with two possible

meaning; use them with care, find alternative.
alibi; dilemma; contemporary
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[7] Confusing/Mispairing Pairs = it has similar
sound, the unwary writer uses one by mistake
to the other.
affect/effect; ensure/insure; eligible/illegible

[8] Redundant Words = it is superfluous; some

writers do this because they lack understanding;
never do this.
true fact; actual fact; month of April
 Next
[9] Misquotation and Factual Mistakes =
Journalist should know what they are talking
about; they should quote accurately to avoid
factual mistakes.

Frankenstein in Mary Shelly’s Novel was not

monster, but it was monster’s creator.
WTC crash; 9/11 or 11/9
 The Case of Style; [News 1]
Tourism is the state of Hawaii’s leading
industry. During the popular winter month, a
planeload or shipload of tourists arrives every
fifteen minutes. New hotels, new resorts, and
new restaurants are being built every year to
accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
Sugar cane and pineapples are also important
industries in Hawaii.
 The Case of Style; [News 2]
The convenience and economy of small cars
account for their popularity. They are easy to park
quickly and take smaller parking spaces. Small
cars also a means of conserving energy because
they use less gas than big cars. Small cars are
inconvenient and uncomfortable on long trips,
however, because of limited passenger and trunk
spaces. They are also more economical to operate
and maintain, and they cost less. Because of all
these advantages, most people now have LCGC.
 The Case of Style; [News 3]
The rapid increase in crime in Chicago is causing a
great deal of concern to the city’s citizens. People are
afraid to go out into the streets at night because they
are afraid of being robbed or even killed. More and
more families are moving out the city into the suburbs
because of the high crime rate. The chief of police was
fired last month because of his inability to reduce
crime. People are buying strong locks for their doors
and installing heavy iron bars across their windows to
prevent burglaries. Some citizens are even purchasing
guns to protect themselves and their property.
 References
Hicks, Wynford. English for Journalists: Third
Edition. Oxon: Routledge, 2007.
Murray, Rowena. Writing for Academic Journals.
Berkshire: Open University Press, 2013.
San, Suyadi. Journalistic. Medan: Generasi,
2006.
Thank You