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Journalism: JAMS 201: Understanding Journalism

Journalism LibGuide

What is Journalism

Freedom of the Press

Writing Tips

Be concise and use easily understood terminology

Avoid redundant wording

Content should be factual

Refrain from including prejudice or stereotypical information

Source: (University of Arizona, n.d.)

Grammar Tips

  • Adjectives modify nouns. Example: Small shoe
  • Adverbs modify verbs. Example: Danced gracefully 
  • Pronouns refer to a noun or takes the place of that noun. Example: he, she, they
  • Possessive Pronouns Example: hers, his, theirs
  • Verb tenses example for the word Study:

Present- Study

Present Continuous- Am studying

Past- Studied

Past Continuous-Was studying

Future- Will study

Commonly Misused Terms

  • "Than" - used to introduce the second element in a comparison

  • "Except" - not including; other than

  • "Fewer" vs. "less"- "Fewer" is used to describe a number of countable things, while "less" is used to describe the amount of uncountable things

  • "A lot" vs. "allot"- "A lot" is a phrase meaning "a large quantity" or "many," while "allot" is a verb meaning "to assign or distribute a share of something

  • "Accept" vs. "except" - "Accept means to receive or believe something, while "except" means to exclude

  • "Acute" vs. "chronic" -Acute conditions are sudden and severe, while chronic conditions develop slowly and may worsen over time

  • "Adverse" vs. "averse"-Adverse means harmful or unfavorable, while averse means to dislike or be opposed to something

  • "Aesthetic" vs. "ascetic"- "Aesthetic" refers to beauty, while "ascetic" refers to self-discipline and self-denial 

  • "Affect" vs. "effect"- "Affect" is a verb that means "to influence" or "to change", while "effect" is a noun that means "the result"

  • "Aggravate" vs. "mitigate"- "Aggravate" means to make something worse or more severe, while "mitigate" means to make something less severe or to reduce its impact

  • "Complement" vs. "compliment"- "Complement" means something that completes or enhances another thing, while "compliment" means an expression of praise or admiration