Workshop: Clichés, journalese, and jargon

Journalists need to recognise and then avoid using journalese, jargon, and clichés. Their writing must be clear, easy to understand, and informative.

This workshop is presented in two formats, both using the same source material from Media Helping Media. The first is a two-hour workshop designed for those who are already familiar with the topic but who would like to deepen their understanding. The second is a four-hour, half-day workshop for those who are new to the topic. Trainers are invited to select the format that best meets the needs of those they are training.

The core content for this workshop outline is drawn entirely from the MHM training article, Cliches, journalese and jargon. This article provides essential guidance on avoiding lazy, formulaic, and complex language in journalistic writing to ensure clarity, engagement, and professionalism.

Workshop outline 1: Two-hour session

This outline focuses on practical application and rewriting skills for trainees who understand the basic concepts of clear writing but need to sharpen their technique.

09:00–10:00 – Session 1: Identifying and removing lazy language

• Aims:
  • To review the definitions of clichés, journalese, and jargon and explain why they undermine journalistic writing.
  • To identify common examples of lazy language across different media types.
  • To establish a personal commitment to high professional standards and ethics in communication.
• Presentation: Trainer delivers a concise, ten-minute review of the three terms:
  • Cliché: An overused phrase (e.g., ‘at the end of the day’) that has lost its original impact and makes writing sound boring.
  • Journalese: Formulaic language used in newsrooms (e.g., ‘launched a scathing attack’, ‘slammed the door’) that replaces simple, descriptive words.
  • Jargon: Specialist or technical language (e.g., ‘synergy’, ‘proactive stakeholder engagement’) that is only understood by a small group.
  • Trainer discusses how using these terms risks compromising the accuracy of a story by creating ambiguity or confusion.
• Activity: The lazy language hunt (25 minutes):
  • Cliché replacement exercise: Trainees are given a list of five common journalistic clichés. Working in pairs they must rewrite each sentence containing the cliché using simple, direct language. The trainer collects examples and leads a brief discussion. Below are some examples. The trainer must delete the suggested rewrites in bold before sharing the workshop outline with participants.
    • A question mark hangs over
      • Bad usage: A question mark hangs over the council’s decision to award the contract.
      • Better alternative: The council’s decision to award the contract is under scrutiny.
    • Conspicuous by its absence
      • Bad usage: The mayor was conspicuous by her absence at last night’s public meeting.
      • Better alternative: The mayor did not attend last night’s public meeting, drawing criticism from some residents.
    • The situation remains confused
      • Bad usage: The situation remains confused after last night’s power outage.
      • Better alternative: Residents are still unsure what caused last night’s power outage, and officials have yet to give clear information.
    • Leaves much to be desired
      • Bad usage: The new bus timetable leaves much to be desired.
      • Better alternative: Many commuters say the new bus timetable is inconvenient and offers fewer services.
    • Combing the area for clues
      • Bad usage: Police are combing the area for clues after the robbery.
      • Better alternative: Police are searching the neighbourhood for evidence following the robbery.
  • Discussion: Group discussion, led by the trainer, on the professional responsibility of clear writing.
    • Purpose: To understand that simple, direct language is a sign of professional integrity and respect for the audience.
    • Key questions: How does using complex jargon affect public trust? What does using clichés say about a journalist’s commitment to finding the right words?

10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Practical rewriting and simple words

• Aims:
  • To master techniques for converting complex or lazy phrases into clear, active, and direct sentences.
  • To practise self-editing skills and giving effective peer feedback.
  • To understand how avoiding lazy language contributes to a lack of bias.
• Presentation: Trainer introduces the ‘Simple Word Rule’: Always use the simplest, most direct word available.
  • Review common journalese verbs and provide simple alternatives (e.g., ‘allege’ becomes ‘say’; ‘ascertain’ becomes ‘find out’).
  • Explain the power of the active voice (subject-verb-object) over the passive voice, and how it improves clarity.
• Activity: Jargon spotting
  • The trainer provides two highly jargon-filled paragraphs. Trainees must simplify the content to its core meaning. Below is an example of the type of material the trainer might want to use.
    • Headline: City council’s new housing plan divides community
    • Story: According to informed sources, the city council will vote next week on a controversial housing redevelopment plan amid growing concerns over displacement of long-term residents. The proposal, which calls for the demolition of several historic buildings, has sparked outrage among local advocacy groups. Critics say the plan prioritises developers over community needs and could worsen the city’s housing crisis. In a dramatic turn of events, the council postponed last night’s public hearing, leaving many residents frustrated. The delay has raised questions about transparency in the decision-making process, and observers note that, at this stage, it is unclear how the vote will proceed. The plan is widely seen as a test of the council’s ability to balance growth with community preservation, and for now, residents have to wait and see how the debate will unfold.
  • Below are 10 examples of journalism jargon that appear in article above. The trainer might want to remove these before sharing the workshop outline with trainees.
    • Sources say: A vague attribution that can obscure accountability and weaken transparency.
    • According to informed sources: A formulaic phrase that sounds authoritative but tells the audience little about credibility.
    • Amid growing concerns: A stock phrase that signals tension without specifying whose concerns or why.
    • Sparked outrage: An imprecise term that exaggerates reaction unless clearly evidenced.
    • Critics say: A catch-all label that avoids identifying who is criticising and on what grounds.
    • Raised questions about: Often used to imply doubt or controversy without stating the actual issue.
    • In a dramatic turn of events: Editorialised language that injects narrative flair rather than factual clarity.
    • Have to wait and see: A vague phrase that means the reporter hasn’t a clue what happens next.
    • At this stage: A vague phrase that adds little concrete information.
    • Seen as / Widely seen as: A lazy construction that implies consensus without evidence – and so is misleading.

• • Participants then rewrite each sentence ensuring their writing is clear, simple, and in the active voice.
  • Trainees swap their rewrites with a partner for five minutes of critical peer review.
• Discussion: Group shares a few successful rewrites from the activity.
  • Purpose: To reinforce the practical skill of self-editing.
  • The trainer explains that journalese or jargon can introduce an unconscious bias by making complex topics feel exclusive or difficult to understand for the general public. Simple writing is inclusive.

Assignment: The jargon-free news report

• Goal: To apply the ‘simple word rule’ and eliminate all instances of clichés, journalese, and jargon from a piece of reporting, ensuring maximum accuracy and clarity for the general public.
• Task: Identify a news report, press release, or short official document (e.g., from a government ministry, a business, or an NGO) from your local media that is written using complex or formulaic language (clichés, jargon, or journalese). The source material should be between 300 and 500 words.
• Analysis: Underline or highlight all instances of clichés, journalese, and jargon. For each highlighted phrase, write down the simple alternative that you will use to replace it.
• Rewrite:  Rewrite the entire 300–500 word text into a clear, simple, and direct news article. The rewritten article must use only the active voice. Sentences should be short and focused (aim for 15 words or less). Ensure the rewritten text maintains the original impartiality and fairness of the source material but avoids any language that could introduce bias or inadvertently cause offence. It must also respect privacy by avoiding speculative or unclear language.
• Submission: Submit two documents:The original source material, clearly annotated with your identification of lazy language and your final, rewritten jargon-free news report’.

Materials needed for the workshop:

• Handouts summarising interview types and essentials.
• Example interview transcripts.
• Research resources (internet or printouts).
• Recording devices (optional, for mock interviews).

Assessment:

• Participation in discussions and activities.
• Quality of drafted questions and peer feedback.
• Performance in mock interviews and reflection.

Workshop outline 2: Four-hour session

This outline is designed for trainees who are new to the topic, providing comprehensive definitions, extensive examples, and more time for practical application and discussion.

09:00–10:00 – Session 1: The foundation of clear communication

• Aims:
  • To define the terms cliché and journalese and explain why they weaken writing and bore the reader.
  • To understand the importance of clear, simple, and direct language for a diverse audience, especially those for whom English is not their first language.
• Presentation: Trainer introduces the core journalistic responsibility: to inform clearly. This is a matter of professional ethics.
• Defining cliché: Provide multiple examples of common clichés (e.g., ‘running on empty’, ‘heavy lifting’, ‘thinking outside the box’) and discuss how to replace them with fresh, original language.
• Defining journalese: Present a ‘Hall of Shame’ list of overused and lazy phrases specific to the media industry (e.g., ‘crisis-hit’, ‘major boost’, ‘sources indicated’) and explain that these are shortcuts that show a lack of effort.
• Activity: Cliché spotting:
  • Trainees work in small groups. The trainer provides a short opinion piece or news/press release that is riddled with clichés. Trainees must rewrite the piece entirely, focusing only on removing the clichés and journalese, ensuring every phrase is direct and original. Each group presents their five most effective corrections. And example of the type of material you might want to circulate is below – first the article and then a list of the clichés used. Trainers might want to delete the list of clichés use when the workshop outline is shared with participants:

Mysterious explosion shakes city centre

A question mark hangs over the cause of yesterday’s city centre, which left residents shaken and authorities scrambling for answers. Witnesses describe a quiet but tense scene as emergency services combed the area for clues, while the situation remains confused with conflicting reports about whether it was accidental or deliberate. Some local officials admitted that their response so far leaves much to be desired, with key personnel conspicuous by its absence during the initial hours of the crisis.

Investigators promised to leave no stone unturned as they examine the blast site, which appeared to have brought normal traffic flow in the district to a grind to a halt. Authorities reported that fragments found at point blank range could indicate a targeted detonation, though experts caution that moving the goalposts in early assessments is risky. Residents, meanwhile, remain anxious as questions mount and official statements continue to offer little clarity.

• Clichés used in the above text include:
  • According to informed sources
  • Amid growing concerns
  • Sparked outrage
  • Critics say
  • Raised questions about
  • In a dramatic turn of events
  • At this stage
  • Widely seen as
  • Have to wait and see

• Discussion: The audience test (15 minutes):
  • Purpose: To understand the reader’s perspective.
  • Trainer leads a discussion on how lazy language affects audience engagement and trust. Why does simple language demonstrate integrity? The trainer emphasises that avoiding complex language is key to ensuring the maximum public can understand the story.

10:00–11:00 – Session 2: Understanding and avoiding jargon

• Aims:
  • To define jargon and identify the contexts where it is most commonly encountered (e.g., politics, business, science).
  • To develop a clear strategy for handling technical terms and complex concepts in news reports.
  • To recognise how the use of language relates to bias and fairness.
• Presentation:
  • Defining jargon: The trainer explains that jargon is not necessarily ‘bad’ but is often inappropriate for a general audience because it means ‘specialist language’.
  • Trainer provides examples of specialist terms (e.g., ‘monetise’, ‘quantifiable outcomes’, ‘subsidiarity’) and models how to explain them simply in one sentence or replace them with everyday words (e.g., ‘make money’, ‘results’, ‘local decision-making’).
  • Trainer discusses how using jargon from one side of a conflict can introduce an unconscious bias into the reporting, making it seem like the journalist favours that group.
  • Activity: Jargon spotting
    • The trainer provides two highly jargon-filled paragraphs. Trainees must simplify the content to its core meaning. Below is an example of the type of material the trainer might want to use.
      • Headline: City council’s new housing plan divides community
      • Story: According to informed sources, the city council will vote next week on a controversial housing redevelopment plan amid growing concerns over displacement of long-term residents. The proposal, which calls for the demolition of several historic buildings, has sparked outrage among local advocacy groups. Critics say the plan prioritises developers over community needs and could worsen the city’s housing crisis. In a dramatic turn of events, the council postponed last night’s public hearing, leaving many residents frustrated. The delay has raised questions about transparency in the decision-making process, and observers note that, at this stage, it is unclear how the vote will proceed. The plan is widely seen as a test of the council’s ability to balance growth with community preservation, and for now, residents have to wait and see how the debate will unfold.
    • Below are 10 examples of journalism jargon that appear in article above. The trainer might want to remove these before sharing the workshop outline with trainees.
      • Sources say: A vague attribution that can obscure accountability and weaken transparency.
      • According to informed sources: A formulaic phrase that sounds authoritative but tells the audience little about credibility.
      • Amid growing concerns: A stock phrase that signals tension without specifying whose concerns or why.
      • Sparked outrage: An imprecise term that exaggerates reaction unless clearly evidenced.
      • Critics say: A catch-all label that avoids identifying who is criticising and on what grounds.
      • Raised questions about: Often used to imply doubt or controversy without stating the actual issue.
      • In a dramatic turn of events: Editorialised language that injects narrative flair rather than factual clarity.
      • Have to wait and see: A vague phrase that means the reporter hasn’t a clue what happens next.
      • At this stage: A vague phrase that adds little concrete information.
      • Seen as / Widely seen as: A lazy construction that implies consensus without evidence – and so is misleading.
  • • Participants then rewrite each sentence ensuring their writing is clear, simple, and in the active voice.
    • Trainees swap their rewrites with a partner for five minutes of critical peer review.
• Discussion: When to use a technical term:
  • Purpose: To establish rules for using technical language.
  • Group discussion on when a technical term is absolutely necessary (e.g., a specific law or drug name) and how to introduce it clearly to the reader (define it once, then use the simple term). The discussion also covers how avoiding jargon helps maintain fairness to all sections of the community.

11:00–11:15 – Break

11:15–12:45 – Session 3: Practical techniques for clear writing

• Aims:
  • To practise the practical steps of transforming an unclear article into a model of simple, direct writing.
  • To apply the ‘simple word rule’ consistently.
  • To practise ethical sensitivity regarding offence and privacy during the rewriting process.
• Presentation:
  • Trainer introduces the four key techniques for clarity:
    • Use active voice: Subject-verb-object for punchy sentences.
    • Keep sentences short: Aim for a maximum of 15-20 words.
    • One idea per aentence: Avoid complex clauses joined by commas.
    • Use simple verbs: Choose ‘said’ over ‘opined’, ‘try’ over ‘endeavour’.
• Activity: The major overhaul (60 minutes):
  • The trainer provides a single, poorly written, long news report containing all three issues: clichés, journalese, and jargon, written predominantly in the passive voice. We have added an example news report that trainers could use, but it might be better to create one about a story more local to you. Please delete the answers before sharing the workshop outline with participants.
    • Trainees work in pairs and divide the article into sections.
    • They must collectively rewrite the entire article, applying all the techniques learned, focusing on clarity and simplicity.
  • Suggested text for activity:
  • Tech giant faces data breach: users left in the lurchIn what has been described as a wake-up call for the industry, millions of users were affected when a massive data breach was reported at Globex Technologies on Friday. The breach, which experts say could have far-reaching consequences, was traced back to vulnerabilities in the company’s cloud infrastructure. Panic was reportedly sparked across social media platforms as users were left wondering if their personal information had been compromised.

    Industry insiders stated that the company’s cybersecurity protocols were put to the test, with mitigation measures being rolled out as quickly as possible. The incident has been branded a turning point in the tech sector, with lessons to be learned by all stakeholders. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that incident response teams were deployed and that forensic analysis is being conducted to trace the origin of the breach.

    Regulators have been notified, and audits are being initiated to ensure compliance with data protection legislation. Meanwhile, analysts have speculated that shareholder confidence may be shaken, and that the company’s market value could be impacted. While damage control strategies were being implemented behind the scenes, reassurance was offered to users that the situation is being monitored around the clock.

    • Clichés in the text:
      • “wake-up call” – overused metaphor for a warning.
      • “put to the test” – common, overused phrase about evaluating something.
      • “turning point” – frequently used to dramatise events.
      • “left in the lurch” – idiom often overused in journalism.
      • “around the clock” – typical cliché indicating constant action.
      • Journalese (sensationalised, attention-grabbing news language)
      • “massive data breach” – dramatic phrasing typical in headlines.
      • “panic was reportedly sparked” – sensational way to describe reactions.
      • “shaken” – emotive language often used in business/finance reporting.
      • “market value could be impacted” – vague, dramatic phrasing.
      • “lessons to be learned by all stakeholders” – common news phrase to sound authoritative.
    • Jargon in the text
    • “cloud infrastructure” – IT terminology.
    • “cybersecurity protocols” – technical language.
    • “incident response teams” – standard in IT/security field.
    • “forensic analysis” – investigative term used in cybersecurity and legal contexts.
    • “compliance with data protection legislation” – regulatory/technical phrase.
    • “shareholder confidence” – business/journalistic jargon.
    • “mitigation measures” – corporate/IT jargon.
  • Passive voice used in the text
    • “millions of users were affected…”
    • “…was traced back to vulnerabilities…”
    • “Panic was reportedly sparked…”
    • “…the company’s cybersecurity protocols were ‘put to the test’”
    • “…incident response teams were deployed…”
    • “…audits are being initiated…”
    • “…reassurance was offered to users…”
  • How the story could read…
  • Globex Technologies confirms data breach affecting users
    Globex Technologies announced on Friday that a data breach had exposed the personal information of millions of users. Company engineers identified the vulnerability in the cloud infrastructure and moved quickly to contain the problem. Users were notified directly, and steps were taken to reset affected accounts.

    Cybersecurity experts are examining the breach to determine how the intrusion occurred. The company deployed its incident response team and is conducting a detailed forensic analysis to prevent future attacks. Regulators have been informed, and an internal audit has been started to ensure compliance with data protection laws.

    Analysts note that the breach could affect investor confidence, but the company has emphasised that customer information is being protected. Globex Technologies said it will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates to users as new information becomes available.

• Discussion: Peer review and best practice (20 minutes):
  • Purpose: To reinforce the core skills through constructive feedback.
  • Pairs swap their overhauled articles and spend 10 minutes reviewing each other’s work, providing feedback on which sentences could still be simpler or more direct. The trainer highlights the best examples of transformation.

12:45–13:00 – Session 4: Review and assignment

• • Aims:
    • To summarise the key practical techniques for avoiding lazy language.
    • To confirm an action plan for incorporating simple, direct writing into daily workflow.
  • Presentation:
    • Trainer summarises the three language enemies (cliché, journalese, jargon) and the ‘simple word rule’. The trainer provides a checklist of ‘five things to check before you file’ regarding clear language.
  • Discussion:
    • Q&A and personal commitment (10 minutes):
      • Trainees ask any final questions. Each trainee makes a short, one-sentence statement about the one key piece of learning they will apply immediately in their work.

Assignment: The jargon-free news report

• Goal: To apply the ‘simple word rule’ and eliminate all instances of clichés, journalese, and jargon from a piece of reporting, ensuring maximum accuracy and clarity for the general public.
• Task: Identify a news report, press release, or short official document (e.g., from a government ministry, a business, or an NGO) from your local media that is written using complex or formulaic language (clichés, jargon, or journalese). The source material should be between 300 and 500 words.
• Analysis: Underline or highlight all instances of clichés, journalese, and jargon. For each highlighted phrase, write down the simple alternative you will use to replace it.
• Rewrite:  Rewrite the entire 300–500 word text into a clear, simple, and direct news article. The rewritten article must use only the active voice. Sentences should be short and focused (aim for 15 words or less). Ensure the rewritten text maintains the original impartiality and fairness of the source material but avoids any language that could introduce bias or inadvertently cause offence. It must also respect privacy by avoiding speculative or unclear language.
• Submission: Submit two documents:The original source material, clearly annotated with your identification of lazy language.Your final, rewritten ‘Jargon-Free News Report’.

Materials needed for the workshop:

• Handouts summarising interview types and essentials.
• Example interview transcripts.
• Research resources (internet or printouts).
• Recording devices (optional, for mock interviews).

Assessment:

• Participation in discussions and activities.
• Quality of drafted questions and peer feedback.
• Performance in mock interviews and reflection.

Summary

This four-hour session for new trainees provides a thorough understanding of lazy language pitfalls and equips participants with practical skills to write clearly, simply, and professionally, reinforcing the advice found in Cliches, journalese and jargon.

Related material

Clichés, journalese, and jargon

Lesson: Clichés, journalese, and jargon