It only serves to show what sort of person a man must be who can't even get testimonials. No, no; if a man brings references, it proves nothing; but if he can't, it proves a great deal.
Joseph PulitzerRead
What a newspaper needs in its news, in its headlines, and on its editorial page is terseness, humor, descriptive power, satire, originality, good literary style, clever condensation, and accuracy, accuracy, accuracy!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Newspapers should prioritize clear, witty, and accurate reporting to effectively communicate news.
Joseph Pulitzer emphasizes the essential qualities that a newspaper should embody in its writing. He points out the significance of terseness and humor to capture attention, descriptive power to convey vivid imagery, and accuracy as the cornerstone of credible journalism. Through a blend of originality and literary style, a newspaper can engage its readers while delivering the news in a refreshing and impactful manner.
Themes
NewspaperJournalismAccuracyHumorOriginality
In practice
Example use cases
In a journalism class, a professor might use this quote to highlight the key elements of effective news writing.
More from Joseph Pulitzer
All quotes →Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.
Joseph PulitzerRead
If you will give the matter a moment's thought, you'll see that memory is the highest faculty of the human mind.
Joseph PulitzerRead
An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery
Joseph PulitzerRead
The American people want something terse, forcible, picturesque, striking - something that will arrest their attention, enlist their sympathy, arouse their indignation, stimulate their imagination, convince their reason, awaken their conscience.
Joseph PulitzerRead
Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together.
Joseph PulitzerRead
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