The Word Weavers

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.

ISBN 0521540070   Pages 276 ISBN13 9780521540070 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Cambridge University Press   Weight (grammes) 382 Imprint Cambridge University Press   Published in Cambridge Format Paperback   Height (mm) 216 Publication date 31 May 2007   Width (mm) 138 Library of Congress 2006036799   Spine width (mm) 20 DEWEY 808.0209   Academic level Professional / Scholarly DEWEY edition DC22

1		Weaving and worrying : journalism versus literature?		1
2		Singers of tales : oral narrative		12
3		The tongue of the hand : speech and writing		32
4		Hangings, histories, marvels, mysteries : the birth of journalism		50
5		Calendars of roguery and woe : daily newspapers		72
6		Story-telling : narrating the news		96
7		Glimmering words : boiling down and polishing		119
8		Painting with words : imaginative creativity		145
9		Two ideas for one : exploring metaphor		165
10		The role of journalism : evaluating the views		187

 Be the first to write a customer review