News style is a term that refers to the style of writing and presenting news in mass media such as newspapers, television, and radio. The term is pronounced /ˈnjuːz staɪl/ with the first syllable pronounced like "new" and the second syllable pronounced like "style". The spelling of the word follows the general convention in English that the letter "s" is pronounced like a "z" when it is between two vowels like in the word "style". News style is an important aspect of journalism as it helps in presenting accurate and effective news to the public.
News style refers to a particular writing style adopted by journalists and news organizations when reporting current events and news stories. It encompasses the use of specific language, structure, and formatting techniques to convey information in an objective, concise, and clear manner.
In terms of language, news style often employs straightforward and neutral vocabulary, avoiding overly emotional or biased language that could sway readers' opinions. It aims to present facts without personal interpretation, sticking to the principle of objectivity.
The structure of news style typically follows the inverted pyramid model, where the most important information is presented at the beginning of the article, followed by details in descending order of importance. This structure allows readers to quickly grasp the main points of a story, even if they only read the first few paragraphs.
Furthermore, news style emphasizes brevity and conciseness. Journalists strive to convey information in as few words as possible, omitting unnecessary details or tangents to maintain focus and clarity.
In terms of formatting, newspapers and online news platforms often use headlines, subheadings, and bullet points to highlight key information and improve readability. Additionally, news style incorporates the use of quotes from credible sources, attributing statements to individuals and providing an additional layer of authenticity and credibility to the report.
Overall, news style serves the purpose of informing and engaging readers while maintaining journalistic integrity. It ensures that news stories are presented accurately, objectively, and in a format that respects the time constraints and preferences of the target audience.
The term "news style" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words, "news" and "style". However, we can look into the origins and meanings of these individual words.
1. News - The word "news" dates back to the 15th century and has evolved from the Middle English word "newis", which means "new things". It derives from the Old French word "noveles" or "newele", which refers to new things or reports. Eventually, "newis" progressed into "news", as we know it today, which represents recent information or current events.
2. Style - The term "style" comes from the Latin word "stilus", referring to a pointed writing instrument used in ancient Rome. Over time, it also gained the meaning of a distinctive manner of expression or presentation.