PITFALLS OF WRITING FOR THE MEDIA: APPEALS TO EMOTION VERSUS EXAGGERATED SENSATIONALISM

The present article looks into assignments written by students in the Modern Applied Languages Department of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies on a given topic. Students were asked to write an article for a newspaper, relying on the notes taken by a journalist. By quantitatively and qualitatively analysing the tasks submitted, the study sheds light on the difference between stories that are balanced and well-written, skilfully combining factual reporting with moderate appeals to emotion, and stories that go one step too far, crossing the line into exaggeration and a use of language that may come across as misplaced and may even affect the overall credibility of the story. By raising awareness of the difference between emotion and exaggerated sensationalism, the present research aims to contribute to the formation not only of a more informed and discerning readership, but also of highly skilled creators of media content.