In the world of journalism, where every word counts and clarity is key, the art of writing goes beyond mere expression—it is about connecting with readers in a meaningful way. Too often, writers fall into the trap of trying to impress rather than express, using elaborate language and convoluted sentences that can alienate rather than engage.
Writing to express, not to impress, is a mantra that reminds us of the functions of journalism: to communicate ideas, stories, and information effectively. It is about using language as a tool to convey meaning, evoke emotion, and provoke thought, rather than to showcase one’s vocabulary or intellect.
I emphasized this point to student journalists from various public and private schools who participated in the news writing workshop I led during the 12th The Write Start (TWS) Campus Journalism Seminar Workshop on April 6. I noticed that many young writers tend to choose complex and fancy terms instead of simpler words.
The younger generation seems highly interested in aesthetics, likely because of the need for visually engaging content online. It is common to find storytelling on digital platforms filled with embellishments. Captions often rely heavily on adjectives and adverbs, which should be used sparingly in news writing. The term “nonchalant” has become popular among the youth but is often misused. It should describe someone who is unperturbed or not worried, but it is mistakenly used to describe someone quiet, calm, or uninterested.
You see, in journalism, misusing words poses a significant risk. The storyteller’s primary goal is to ensure that the audience understands the message, thereby motivating them to take action or alter their viewpoints. This is precisely why journalists write to express rather than to impress. The focus is on the story, not the storyteller. The journalist’s main drive is to convey the message as clearly and accurately as possible, a goal that is challenging to accomplish with a convoluted narrative.
I had to stress to the participants the brief reminder of veteran journalist and columnist Vergel Santos’ during a lecture on News Writing many years ago. “Just KISS,” Vergel told media practitioners, including myself, who attended his lecture on “News English.” KISS is an acronym for Keep It Simple, Stupid! After reviewing the young campus journalists’ written leads on the whiteboard, I advised them to never forget to KISS for the sake of their audience. Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel emphasize in their book, “The Elements of Journalism,” that “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth. Its loyalty is to the citizens.” Every aspiring journalist should never forget that the essence of journalism is truth and objectivity – no more, no less. Clickbait has no place in journalism, which exists to serve the citizens. Clickbait manipulates internet users to serve its agenda. Stories crafted by journalists should be straightforward, without unnecessary ornaments. That is why when editors spot adjectives and adverbs, they must kill them mercilessly.
UNO-R Starlight’s Feature Editor and 12th TWS Most Promising Writer, Christian Gelotin, emphasized that journalism is not merely a desk job but rather a battlefield. He shared, “Through the news writing workshop, I immersed myself in the complex world of crafting accurate, concise, and reliable stories. There is no room for flowery words in a news article, just as there is no space for complacency in the dangerous world of journalism. I realized that ultimately, it is your brave heart and sharp pen that will give these stories their voice.” explained Gelotin, who is planning to pursue a BA in Communication degree in college.
Engr. Ashraf Khater, former editor-in-chief of and now technical adviser of TS, said the annual holding of TWS brings together campus journalists from public and private secondary and tertiary schools to learn, collaborate, and network with practitioners and experts in the field of journalism.
According to Khater, TWS prepares and equips budding journalists for the challenges of the profession.
“Campus journalists are eager people. They have many idealistic principles, so they seek means to learn. The thing about campus journalists is that they are a bunch of crazy people with brilliant ideas, so it is important to give them a venue where they can be challenged. When they are given such, they become inspired to translate their crazy ideas into meaningful change,” he explained.
TWS and other campus journalism workshops play a crucial role, not only in honing the skills of aspiring writers and journalists but also in providing avenues for learning new skills and techniques. They offer opportunities to relearn valuable principles and rules, while also allowing participants to unlearn practices that have become irrelevant.
These workshops also serve as reminders to young participants that not everything considered “old school” is obsolete and ineffective. As such, they need to grasp the principles of old-school journalism and appreciate its relevance in the Digital Age. While new journalism often involves extensive imagery and the use of subjective language within facts, traditional journalism maintains a focus on objectivity, with the journalist remaining “invisible” and reporting facts straightforwardly.
This is the reason why cubs must never forget their ABCs: accuracy, brevity and clarity. Writing with clarity is among the journalist’s most crucial skills. Without clarity, you cannot expect your audience to understand. How can you convey a message that is nuanced, layered and includes gaps in what your audience knows? Clarity is intrinsic to both accuracy and impact. In simple terms, clarity equals understanding.
Journalism, at its core, is about effective communication. Choosing simplicity over complexity ensures that our message is not lost in a maze of words but is instead delivered clearly and comprehensibly to the audience. News is not superfluous. Again, write to express, not to impress.*
