Is it okay to use the word "just" in a journalism article?

Question

Hi! I'm doing journalism at University and just have a quick question about using "just" to describe a figuire.

Here's the context:

"However the March 8th auction sold just

three properties."

Im hesitant about it, I need to emphasize that 3 properties is comparitively small, but also, im worried about objectivity?

Thankyou!

Answer 1

The use of "just" in this case is editorializing......putting your opinion into what might be expected to be an objective article.

Your use of "however" is incorrect.  Do not kick off sentences with this word.  This is a conjunction of ideas.  

The proper way to construct this sentence is:  "At the March 8 auction, however, three properties were sold."

This is the objective form, and the reader can decide if more parcels were expected to be auctioned.  

A better way of drawing attention to the number would be to put "three properties" at the end of the sentence -- but I would have to know more about your situation to write that for you.

Always put the most dramatic part of the sentence at the end (much like the punch-line in a joke).

More thoughtful writing will eliminate the need of editorializing words like "just" or "merely" or "only" etc.

Hope this answer helps you.

Answer 2

Your hesitation is well founded.  The word "just" is your opinion that three is a small number, which makes it editorialized.  To remain objective, you could say "... the March 8th auction sold three properties, which is fewer than comparable auctions..."

Answer 3

It sounds okay to me. If you watch the news the journalists normally emphasize an amount of something.

Answer 4

I've seen 'just' used in that context in articles before, although I won't vouche for the integrity of the authors or the medium in which it was delivered.

You might consider using 'only' in place of 'just'.

Answer 5

I feel using the word just is fine, but utilize the word to it's maximum.  How about, "However the March 8th auction sales fell just short of a handful of only three properties."

or eliminate "just" completely.,

"However the March 8th auction fell slightly shy of a handful, selling only 3 properties."

Answer 6

Well, i don't see what's wrong with the word 'just, it's not slang, and I've seen it in newspaper articles many times. Although i say just isn't slang, it doesn't sound very professional, so i would try "only" or "... sold little, hence three properties". Hope i helped you and good luck with your article.