While it's not a "style" in the traditional sense (like Hemingway's or Faulkner's), Yellow Journalism is a term that describes a specific approach to news reporting characterized by:
* Sensationalism: Focusing on shocking, lurid, or exciting stories to grab attention.
* Exaggeration and Distortion: Stretching the truth, manipulating facts, and even fabricating stories to increase drama.
* Emotional Appeals: Appealing to readers' emotions, often using fear, anger, or patriotism to sway opinions.
* Eye-Catching Headlines and Illustrations: Using large, bold headlines and dramatic illustrations to attract readers.
Key characteristics of Yellow Journalism in practice:
* Focus on human interest stories: Emphasizing personal stories of tragedy, crime, and heroism.
* Use of investigative journalism: Using reporters to uncover wrongdoing and expose corruption.
* Competition between newspapers: Pulitzer and Hearst fiercely competed for readers, driving the sensationalism and exaggeration.
Important Notes:
* While Yellow Journalism is often criticized for its ethical failings, it also played a role in social reform and investigative reporting.
* The term "Yellow Journalism" is named after the "Yellow Kid," a popular comic strip character that appeared in both Pulitzer's *New York World* and Hearst's *New York Journal*.
Therefore, while not a specific writing style, Yellow Journalism influenced the way journalists like Pulitzer and Hearst approached their reporting and used their writing to attract readers and shape public opinion.