“Khaki Nor Be Leather”: Journalese Is Not The Same As Essay Writing -By Isaac Asabor

“Khaki Nor Be Leather” aptly captures the distinction between journalese and essay writing; two forms of communication often mistakenly equated. While both share the written word as their medium, they diverge significantly in style, purpose, and audience engagement. Journalese is tailored for sharp, clear, and immediate news delivery, prioritizing facts and conciseness to inform the public quickly. In contrast, essay writing allows for a more nuanced exploration of ideas, offering depth, reflection, and personal insights. Understanding this difference is essential for anyone striving to master the art of writing within each unique context.

In today’s fast-paced media landscape, where the lines between different forms of writing often blur, it is crucial to understand that journalese and essay writing are not the same. Both styles of writing serve distinct purposes, target different audiences, and adhere to different rules of engagement. While they may seem similar on the surface, their differences are profound, and understanding these distinctions is key to mastering each craft.

For the sake of clarity, Journalese is a specialized form of writing commonly used in journalism. It is characterized by its concise, punchy, and often sensational style, designed to grab the reader’s attention quickly. In the world of journalism, where space is limited and attention spans are short, every word counts. The language used in journalese is typically straightforward, aiming to convey the most important information in the shortest possible time.

Headlines are often a prime example of journalese in action. They are crafted to be catchy, engaging, and sometimes provocative, all in an effort to draw the reader in. Phrases like “breaking news,” “exclusive,” or “scandal” are common in journalese, as they immediately convey urgency and importance. The goal is to provide readers with the essential facts, often with a sense of immediacy, to keep them informed about current events.

Essay writing, on the other hand, is a more reflective and analytical form of writing. Essays allow the writer to explore a topic in depth, presenting arguments, analyzing evidence, and often arriving at a well-considered conclusion. Unlike journalese, which is often brief and to the point, essays can be expansive, offering the writer the space to develop ideas and engage in nuanced discussions.

Essays require a formal tone and a structured approach. They often begin with an introduction that sets the stage for the discussion, followed by a body that delves into the main points, and concludes with a summary or a call to action. The language used in essays is typically more sophisticated, and the writing is often more detailed and elaborative. This style allows for a more in-depth exploration of complex issues, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the subject matter.

One of the primary differences between journalese and essay writing is their intended audience and purpose. Journalese is geared towards a broad audience looking for quick, digestible information. It is meant to inform, entertain, or provoke a reaction in a short amount of time. Essay writing, however, is aimed at readers who are willing to invest time in reading and thinking deeply about a particular issue.

Another key difference lies in the structure and language. Journalese is often fragmented, with short sentences and paragraphs designed to make information easily scannable. Essay writing, however, follows a more traditional structure with well-developed paragraphs and transitions that guide the reader through a logical progression of ideas.

In fact, the tone of each differs significantly. Journalese can be informal, even colloquial, to resonate with a broad audience. Essays, on the other hand, maintain a formal tone, often employing a more sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures.

The reason for expressing this view is the growing trend where many people, seemingly because of their ability to speak highfalutin English and their confidence in writing, often assume they can easily report news, write features, and even outperform trained journalists. Such individuals often exude a sense of superiority, particularly when they request a journalist’s draft copy before it is published. This behavior can be not only denigrating but also insulting to the journalism profession.

It is important to emphasize that it is unethical for any journalist to subscribe to such a request. Journalism is a profession with its own standards, and allowing non-journalists to dictate or revise journalistic content undermines the integrity of the craft. These individuals should be reminded that journalese is not essay writing, and the two should not be conflated.

In fact, understanding the difference between journalese and essay writing is essential for anyone involved in writing, whether you are a journalist, a student, or a professional writer. Mixing the two styles can lead to confusion, weaken your argument, or diminish the impact of your writing. Each style serves a different purpose, and mastering both allows you to communicate effectively in different contexts.

Be that as it may, while both journalese and essay writing are valuable forms of communication, they are not interchangeable. Journalese is designed for quick, impactful communication in a fast-paced media environment, while essay writing allows for deeper analysis and reflection. Recognizing the differences between the two can help you become a more versatile and effective writer, capable of reaching different audiences with the appropriate style and tone. Above all, it is crucial to respect the boundaries of journalistic integrity and ensure that journalese remains distinct from other forms of writing.