Common Writing Mistakes in Journalistic Articles
Spelling, grammar, and conciseness are the most common mistakes in writing. Here, however, we will focus on journalistic writing and its unique set of needs; understanding these mistakes helps improve clarity, credibility, and reader engagement.
1. Unengaging Headlines:
Getting the reader to start reading the article is the first step. As the first thing they see, the headline’s purpose is to grab attention; a weak headline may cause the article to be ignored.
Practical tips: Employ active voice, emotional hooks, and proactive data. Avoid wordiness; aim for a short, concise sentence (preferably, no more than 8 words).
2. Burying the Lead:
In journalism, it is essential to organize information from most newsworthy to least newsworthy. Readers want the key points quickly. If the most important facts appear too late, they may stop reading.
Practical tips: Improve the structure using the inverted pyramid: most important information first, then details, then context.
3. Overload:
This can appear as too much information (irrelevant details), a long article overall, or long paragraphs. All this can overwhelm the reader and further bury the lead.
Note: The opposite is equally detrimental because it can undermine credibility and trust. If the article lacks the facts or context to support its claims, it can appear to be based on rumors or give the impression of bias.
Practical tips: Stick to the essentials that support the headline; aim for articles no longer than 500 words; and prioritize the reader’s needs.
4. Wordiness:
In a similar vein, using fillers to make the article “look better” does not add real value to the text. News writing works best when it is concise.
Practical tips: Cut filler phrases (“to” instead of “in order to,” “because” instead of “due to the fact that”) and avoid repetition.
5. Overstating Facts:
Some journalists may overstate facts to increase engagement. Sensationalism, however, harms credibility and integrity. This tactic feeds on emotional manipulation, exploiting triggers like anger. Over time, exaggerated news leads to a loss of confidence.
Practical tips: Let verified facts create impact. Favor neutral attributions (e.g., “said” instead of “confessed,” which may imply culpability). Avoid generalizing; numbers are great allies against sensationalism. Use probabilities over absolutes (“The data suggests that…” “It is possible that…”).
6. Weak Endings:
In journalism, the end, the “kicker,” is the last chance to leave an impression and consolidate the message. If the ending is lacking, the reader may leave feeling unsatisfied or confused.
Practical tips: End with a meaningful quote (it is common to use a quote that summarizes the main idea of the article) or a “look toward the future” (next steps or possible consequences).
Bottom line, most mistakes in journalistic writing come down to a few habits: saying too much/too little, saying it vaguely, or saying it in a way that erodes trust. Fixing these, in summary, means writing in plain language, trimming excess, putting the news first, and maintaining a neutral tone.
Need help improving your journalistic writing?
Our expert editors improve clarity, structure, and tone.
