News writing is supposed to be the embodiment of perfectly produced prose. However,
the reality is that it is the source of more grammatical, contextual and typographical
mistakes than probably any other professional writing genre.
Few are spared, whether they are experienced journalists with high-quality literary
skills or rookies with limited vocabulary. All journalists would admit to having certain
weaknesses that are manifested in their work. None are immune to mistakes.
Some media outlets employ tougher editorial standards than others but the
gatekeepers are all human and mistakes inevitably sneak through. However, there is a difference between genuine mistakes and errors that defy the
language. Unfortunately, there are still many bloopers in print, television and the Internet
that are the result of ignorance.
Because no one picks up on these errors, they are allowed to perpetuate and, after a
while, these words, phrases, syntax or misspellings morph into acceptable entities, while
its original correctness fade.
4 Common Journalism Mistakes
When learning how to write like a journalist, many cadets are not taught basic
language rules. Although there are plenty of examples, here are just four common
mistakes that writers all over the world continue to make.
Dilemma
You see this kind of sentence quite often: “He faced a dilemma on
whether he should go to Harvard or Yale”. Wrong! I’ve also read dilemma being written
as synonymous with problems. Again, wrong. Dilemma is when you have only two
choices and both are undesirable. So, if you have a choice between jail and a big fine,
then you are in a dilemma. If you have a choice between a promotion at your current job
and more money in another job, then that is not a dilemma because both paths are
attractive.
Enormity
It appears the traditionalists may be losing the battle when it comes to
this word. Enormity, in its original meaning, does NOT mean huge. It is not the noun for
enormous, which is enormousness. Enormity actually means the quality of being
outrageous, or wickedness. However, it has been so commonly used to refer to great size,
it appears even dictionaries have given up because I’ve seen recent editions include both
meanings.
Alternative
This is another word to do with choices. However, alternative refers to only ONE other choice. If you are unhappy with your job but you have one offer from another company, then you have an “alternative”. If you have two other job offers, you have “other choices” or “options” but NOT “other alternatives”.
Refute
At one time, the newspaper I worked for banned this word because a
building full of so-called experienced journalists from Britain, United States, Canada,
Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were consistently getting it wrong. Refute
cannot be used as a synonym for deny. To deny something is to say you didn’t do it. To
refute is to prove you didn’t do it with evidence. In addition, don’t confuse refute with
rebut. Rebut means to argue to the contrary using evidence. To refute is to use that
evidence to prove and win your argument.
These are only four examples from many in news writing. While it is
understandable for amateurs or part-time writers to get it wrong, news writing
professionals should know better. Mind you, it happens to the best of us and it is simply a
case of learning as you go along.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nazvi Careem is an experienced journalist, writer and writing coach who has
written for newspapers, magazines and global news agencies such as Reuters, Associated
Press and Agence France-Presse. To download a free chapter from his book on the secrets
to writing news, check out his website dedicated to news writing at http://www.newswriterspost.com/intropage.html.
