Newspaper Expressions
In the bustling world of journalism, the newspaper remains a cornerstone of information dissemination, despite the digital age’s influence. The language used in newspapers is rich with expressions that encapsulate the urgency, importance, and drama of daily events. This article will delve into the lexicon of newspaper lingo, providing a roadmap through the maze of terminology that shapes our understanding of the news.
Table of Contents
“Above the fold”
This term originated from the physical layout of a newspaper. The most important stories are placed on the top half of the front page, which is visible when the paper is folded on newsstands.
Example: “The election results were so significant that the story was placed above the fold to catch the eye of passersby.”
“Op-ed”
Short for “opposite the editorial page,” op-eds are opinion pieces written by contributors outside the newspaper’s editorial board. These articles provide diverse perspectives on current issues.
Example: “The op-ed about climate change sparked a city-wide conversation on environmental policies.”
“Lead”
The lead is the opening paragraph of a news story, summarizing the most critical aspects of the article. It answers who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Example: “The lead of the article succinctly captured the who, what, when, where, and why of the shocking political scandal.”
“Byline”
The byline is the line that indicates the name of the article’s writer. It’s an acknowledgment of who authored the piece.
Example: “The byline showed that the piece on economic reform was penned by the newspaper’s seasoned financial correspondent.”
“Dateline”
A dateline is the line at the beginning of a news article that contains the date and location where the story was written.
Example: “The dateline indicated that the correspondent was reporting directly from the war-torn region.”
“Beat”
A beat is a specific topic area a reporter covers regularly, such as education, politics, or crime.
Example: “As a crime beat reporter, she developed contacts within the police department that often led to exclusive scoops.”
“Scoop”
A scoop is a news story obtained before competitors, often through investigative reporting or insider information.
Example: “The journalist’s scoop on the mayor’s resignation caused a frenzy among competing newspapers.”
“Hard news”
Hard news refers to timely, factual reports on serious topics such as politics, economics, or natural disasters.
Example: “The front page was dominated by hard news about the economic downturn and its effects on the community.”
“Soft news”
Soft news, by contrast, focuses on human-interest stories, entertainment, or lifestyle pieces that are not time-sensitive.
Example: “The lifestyle section featured soft news, like an article about the town’s oldest bakery and its secret to enduring success.”
“Angle”
The angle is a specific focus or approach to a story that makes it unique or newsworthy.
Example: “The reporter’s angle on the new park was its potential to revitalize the downtown area, rather than just its opening.”
“Sidebar”
A sidebar is a shorter, related article placed alongside a main story, providing additional details or a particular focus.
Example: “Next to the main coverage of the trial was a sidebar profiling the life and career of the presiding judge.”
“Headline”
The headline is the title or caption of a news article, designed to grab attention and summarize the story.
Example: “The headline ‘City Hall Corruption Scandal Unveiled’ was bold and left no doubt about the article’s explosive content.”
“Kicker”
A kicker is a surprising or quirky statement at the end of a story that leaves the reader with something to ponder.
Example: “The kicker in the article about the retiring librarian humorously revealed her plans to travel the world, starting with a visit to the Library of Congress.”
“Masthead”
The masthead is a list, often found on the editorial page, of the publishers, staff, and contact information for the newspaper.
Example: “He scanned the masthead to find the name of the editor-in-chief to whom he could send his letter to the editor.”
“Jump”
A jump is when an article starts on one page and continues on another page.
Example: “To continue reading about the local festival, readers had to jump to page A16.”
“Stringer”
A stringer is a freelance journalist or correspondent who is not regularly employed by the publication but is paid per piece or for contributing stories from a remote location.
Example: “The paper’s budget cuts meant they relied more on stringers for international news.”
“Slant”
A slant is a particular point of view or bias that is evident in a news story or the newspaper’s overall reporting.
Example: “Critics accused the paper of having a conservative slant due to its editorial endorsements and selection of op-edcontributors.”
“Copy”
Copy refers to the text of a news article or story. Editors may request revisions or changes to the copy before it goes to print.
Example: “The reporter submitted her copy by the deadline, but the editor asked for additional sources to strengthen the story.”
“Embargo”
An embargo is a request or demand by a source that the information provided is not published until a certain date or condition is met.
Example: “The scientific study was under embargo until the journal published it, ensuring simultaneous public release.”
“Exclusive”
An exclusive is a news story that is reported by only one newspaper or news outlet, giving it a competitive edge.
Example: “The paper ran an exclusive interview with the whistleblower who exposed the financial corruption.”
“Circulation”
Circulation is the number of copies a newspaper distributes on an average day. It is a critical metric for advertisers and influences the paper’s revenue.
Example: “The scandal boosted the paper’s circulation, as people clamored to read the details.”
“The Fifth Estate”
This term refers to the press and news media, both in explicit capacity of advocacy and implicit ability to frame political issues.
Example: “The Fifth Estate played a crucial role in uncovering the water crisis, leading to policy changes.”
“Newsprint”
Newsprint is the cheap, low-quality paper used for printing newspapers. Its quality can affect both the cost of production and the readability of the print.
Example: “The publisher decided to switch to a higher-grade newsprint to improve image quality and reduce smudging.”
“Wire service”
A wire service is a news agency that provides articles, photographs, and videos to newspapers and media outlets worldwide.
Example: “The local paper often uses stories from wire services for international news, as they don’t have their own foreign correspondents.”
“Fourth Estate”
A traditional term that positions the press as a fourth branch of government, one that watches the other branches (executive, legislative, and judicial).
Example: “The investigative report proved the power of the Fourth Estate when it led to the resignation of a high-ranking senator.”
“City Desk”
The city desk is the department of a newspaper that covers local news stories.
Example: “She was thrilled to be assigned to the city desk, where she could cover stories that directly impacted her community.”
“Editorial”
An editorial is an article expressing the newspaper’s stance or opinion on a particular issue, written by the editorial board.
Example: “The editorial called for immediate action on the housing crisis, reflecting the newspaper’s stance on social issues.”
“Inverted pyramid”
The inverted pyramid is a style of writing that presents the most newsworthy information at the beginning of the article, with details and background information following in order of diminishing importance.
Example: “The article about the factory fire was written in an inverted pyramid style, ensuring readers got the most important facts first.”
Final Thoughts
The intricate dance of words in newspaper journalism is not just about informing the public, but also about capturing the essence of our society’s ongoing narrative. Understanding these expressions not only enriches one’s reading experience but also allows for a deeper appreciation of the craft behind the headlines. As we continue to turn the pages of newspapers or scroll through digital articles, we carry with us the knowledge that within the jargon of journalism lies the pulse of our world – urgent, vibrant, and ever-evolving.
