new journalism
LowFormal, Academic, Literary
Definition
Meaning
A style of journalism that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, characterized by using literary techniques and subjective narrative traditionally associated with fiction writing while reporting factual events.
Any modern, innovative approach to journalism that breaks with traditional objective reporting conventions, often incorporating personal perspective, immersive reporting, and stylistic experimentation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to a specific historical movement or is used critically to describe journalism that blurs lines between fact and literary craft.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more frequently used and discussed in American contexts, given its origins with US writers like Tom Wolfe and Truman Capote. In the UK, it may be referenced more in academic or media criticism circles.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of literary ambition, subjectivity, and sometimes controversy regarding factual accuracy.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in media studies, journalism courses, and cultural criticism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [author/publication] is associated with new journalism.New journalism often involves [literary technique/subjective perspective].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In the style of new journalism”
- “A new journalism approach”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in media business analysis discussing evolving content styles.
Academic
Common in media studies, journalism, and literary criticism courses and publications.
Everyday
Very rare. Mostly used by those with an interest in media or literary history.
Technical
Used as a specific term in journalism studies and criticism to denote a particular historical movement or style.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The author sought to new-journalise the political scandal, embedding himself with the campaign.
- They attempted to new-journalism their way through the report.
American English
- The writer wanted to new-journalize the event, focusing on character and scene.
- He new-journalismed the story, using first-person narrative.
adverb
British English
- He wrote new-journalism-ly, weaving his observations into the narrative.
- The piece was constructed new-journalism-ly.
American English
- She reported new-journalism-ly, becoming part of the story.
- The essay was written new-journalism-ly, with a strong authorial voice.
adjective
British English
- It was a very new-journalism piece, full of stylistic flair.
- His new-journalism approach divided critics.
American English
- That's a new-journalism style article if I've ever read one.
- Her new-journalism sensibility shaped the entire magazine.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is not normal news. It is new journalism.
- New journalism uses stories like books.
- Tom Wolfe was a famous writer of new journalism.
- New journalism became popular in the 1960s.
- In new journalism, the writer's feelings are important.
- The hallmark of new journalism is the application of novelistic techniques to factual reporting.
- Critics argued that new journalism sometimes sacrificed objectivity for narrative power.
- Magazines like 'New York' and 'Esquire' published much of the early new journalism.
- While lauded for its literary merits, new journalism has been perennially scrutinised for its ethical boundaries between fact and embellishment.
- The legacy of new journalism is evident in contemporary long-form digital storytelling, which prioritises immersive narrative over dispassionate summary.
- Capote's 'In Cold Blood' is often cited as a seminal work of new journalism, despite the author's own disputed relationship with the term.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'NEWS' but written like a NOVEL: New journalism Novel-izes Events With Subjectivity.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNALISM IS LITERATURE; REPORTING IS STORYTELLING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like 'новая журналистика' without context, as it may be misinterpreted as simply 'recent journalism'. The term refers to a specific style, not timeliness.
- Do not confuse with 'публицистика', which is a broader term for political or social commentary.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'new journalism' to refer to any recent journalism (it's a proper noun for a style).
- Capitalising it as 'New Journalism' only when referring to the specific 1960s movement.
Practice
Quiz
What is a primary characteristic that distinguishes new journalism from traditional reporting?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different. New journalism is a literary style applied to factual reporting, while 'fake news' refers to deliberately false information presented as news.
Prominent figures include Tom Wolfe, Truman Capote, Joan Didion, Hunter S. Thompson (whose 'gonzo journalism' is a radical subset), Norman Mailer, and Gay Talese.
While the specific 1960s-70s movement has passed, its influence is profound. Contemporary long-form narrative journalism, creative nonfiction, and immersive digital storytelling all carry its legacy.
The primary criticism is that its use of literary devices, subjectivity, and reconstructed dialogue can compromise factual accuracy and journalistic objectivity, blurring the line between reportage and fiction.