Chapter 3
Key terms and concepts
Adherence to journalistic style — both the rules of writing and usage and the customs of journalism — is a mark of a professional writer. This chapter should help students understand that when they enter the world of the mass media, they will have to meet certain expectations about their work. One of the most basic expectations concerns style.

This chapter gives the student an idea about the importance of knowing and using a particular style of writing and of understanding the customs and conventions of journalism. The chief goal of the journalist is accuracy, and many of the styles and conventions of journalism that have been developed over the years have been to promote this goal. The same can be said of these style rules and conventions as they apply to clarity and brevity. Instructors should help the students see the relationship between all of these concepts as they go through this chapter. In discussing them, you might want to use the diagram below.

Key terms and concepts

Students should have a good understanding of all of the concepts set forth in the diagram. Especially important among these are:

Accuracy — The short definition in journalism for accuracy is "getting it right." Discuss with your students what they believe that means. How do you go about "getting it right?" Differing points of view about a situation should be brought into this discussion. What methods does a writer for the mass media use in obtaining and presenting accurate information.

Consistency — One of the underlying concepts of adherence to style is consistency. Consistency in writing helps the reader in establishing what he or she expects from a writer. It also helps to make a writer more efficient. Knowledge and consistent use of style can boost the confidence of the writer.

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