The Word Weavers
Newshounds and Wordsmiths

A revealing insight into journalism, tracing its historical origins and comparing it with literary writing.

Jean Aitchison (Author)

9780521540070, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 31 May 2007

276 pages, 24 b/w illus.
21.5 x 13.5 x 2 cm, 0.382 kg

Modern journalism is often the subject of criticism and opposition. Written by one of the foremost authorities on language and the media writing today, this engaging book suggests that view is unfair, and that journalists are in fact skilled 'word weavers' whose output is cleverly worked into planned patterns. Drawing on a range of authentic news articles, it traces the development of journalism from its origins to the present day. Aitchison shows how contemporary news writers have inherited an age-old oral tradition, which over the centuries was incorporated into public notices, ballads and storybooks - eventually providing the basis of the journalism we see today. She argues that, while journalists have very different aims to literary writers, their work can in no way be regarded as inferior. Entertainingly written, The World Weavers provides a fascinating insight into journalistic writing, and will be enjoyed by anybody wanting to know more about media language.

1. Weaving and worrying: journalism versus literature
2. Singers of tales: oral narrative
3. The tongue of the hand: speech and writing
4. Hanging, histories, marvels, mysteries: the birth of journalism
5. Calendars of roguery and woe: daily newspapers
6. Story telling: narrating and the news
7. Glimmering words: boiling down and polishing
8. Painting with words: imaginative creativity
9. Two ideas for one: exploring metaphor
10. The role of journalism: evaluating the views
epilogue
notes
references.

Subject Areas: Press & journalism [KNTJ], Media studies [JFD], Literature: history & criticism [DS], Linguistics [CF]