Future journalists who are just planning to enter journalism school or who want to start out in journalism without a major in journalism often wonder what the differences are between a journalistic text and any other text. A journalistic text does have its own characteristics and a certain structure, which distinguishes it from other texts. To write it is not as difficult as it may seem at first. But still, you need to know all the nuances before admission and exams.
The most important sign of journalistic texts is relevance. Audiences turn to the media as a source of important, valuable and relevant information. The text in journalism allows you to learn about recent events that have their significance, break down the latest news or current infopod. This is how the public is made aware of real problems or new difficulties that require an immediate solution. Relevance cannot be called a quality that only a journalistic text possesses, but it is something without which it cannot exist.
A journalistic text must always be based on facts, no matter what genre you write in. In his articles, the journalist should not express his opinion about anything, and add fictional events or characters to the material. This is typical for fiction, but not for journalistic texts.
In addition to the previous points, it should be noted that a journalistic text always consists only of reliable information. A professional journalist will never turn to unreliable sources and this is something that beginners should strive for. The way a journalist presents information will determine the public’s attitude toward a certain problem.
The journalistic text should not have anything in common with fiction, where turns of phrase and “beautiful” words, difficult to perceive, are acceptable. The journalist must keep his work concise and simple. If any unfamiliar terms are used, be sure to explain their meaning. There is one common rule for all writers – to focus on your target audience. And this rule applies to journalistic texts. You need to write in such a way that you are understood.
By studying the theory and taking the time to practice writing journalistic texts, you will definitely be able to write and get published, and maybe even succeed in this field.
