Exaggeration in every sense is as essential to newspaper…
““Exaggeration in every sense is as essential to newspaper writing as it is to the writing of plays: for the point is to make as much as possible of every occurrence. So that all newspaper writers are, for the sake of their trade, alarmists: this is their way of making themselves interesting. What they really do, however, is resemble little dogs who, as soon as anything whatever moves, start up a loud barking. It is necessary, therefore, not to pay too much attention to their alarms, and to realize in general that the newspaper is a magnifying glass, and this only at best: for very often it is no more than a shadow-play on the wall.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Newspapers amplify events, often exaggerating to attract attention, so readers should treat their alarms with caution.
In simple terms: Newspapers exaggerate to seem interesting; be skeptical.
Key Takeaway
Question headlines, don’t panic.
Themes
media criticism
exaggeration
perception
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- reading news
- social media
- political debates
Key Concepts
journalism
sensationalism
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sensationalism shape public opinion?
- When should you trust a news source?