SENSATIONALISED Meaning and
Definition
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The term "sensationalised" refers to a process or approach in journalism, storytelling, or media content creation where events, incidents, or information are presented in an exaggerated, exaggeratedly dramatic, or polarizing manner to provoke intense emotion, captivate attention, or generate shock value, often at the expense of accuracy, context, or objectivity.
When news stories become sensationalised, they are crafted to focus primarily on the dramatic or shocking elements of an event. This often involves amplifying certain aspects or twisting facts to stimulate a strong emotional response from the audience. The intention is to captivate and retain the attention of the audience by offering scandalous or provocative content that may be entertaining but lacks proper depth, balance, or nuance.
By placing emphasis on the most sensational aspects of a story, the practice of sensationalising news can distort or manipulate the perception of reality, potentially distorting public opinion or understanding of events. Sensationalised reports tend to prioritize spectacle over actual information, resulting in a compromised representation of the truth.
Sensationalised content can be found across various forms of media, including newspapers, television programs, online news outlets, and social media platforms. It often employs eye-catching headlines, exaggerated language, and captivating imagery to pique curiosity and lure readers or viewers into consuming the content.
While sensationalised stories may attract greater attention and generate higher ratings or web traffic, they are generally regarded as inherently unreliable, unprofessional, and unethical, as they fuel sensationalism rather than fostering understanding, critical thinking, or responsible journalism practices.
Etymology of SENSATIONALISED
The word "sensationalised" is derived from the adjective "sensationalize", which is a combination of "sensational" and the suffix "-ize". "Sensational" originates from the noun "sensation" and the suffix "-al".
The term "sensation" comes from the Latin word "sensatio", which means a perception or a feeling. In English, it refers to an intense or compelling experience or event that excites or arouses strong interest or curiosity.
The suffix "-al" is used to form adjectives that relate to or characterize a noun or the action of a verb. In the case of "sensational", the suffix helps create an adjective to describe something that causes or is related to sensations or intense feelings.
When the suffix "-ize" is added to "sensational", it forms the verb "sensationalize".
