Sensationnelles

Sensationnelles is the feminine plural form of the French adjective sensationnel, meaning sensational, spectacular, or shocking in a way intended to attract attention. The term is used to describe people, events, narratives, or media content that emphasizes excitement, novelty, or surprise, often prioritizing impact over nuance.

Etymology and usage: sensationnel derives from sensation, and the word entered modern French to denote things that evoke strong sensation or emotion. In journalism and popular culture, sensationnel is commonly associated with sensationalism—style and presentation designed to provoke public reaction, sometimes at the expense of accuracy or balance.

In media and culture: the phrase les informations sensationnelles or la presse sensationnelle refers to sensationalist reporting, including tabloid journalism that highlights crime, scandals, or celebrities. The feminine plural sensationnelles can describe stories, headlines, images, or genres that fit this approach, or, in contexts like film or literature, can describe sensational plots or melodramatic tropes.

Critical and ethical context: critics argue that sensationalism can distort public discourse by emphasizing spectacle over substance. Proponents may view it as engaging or accessible to broad audiences. The term is widely understood in French-speaking contexts and appears in discussions of media ethics, cultural taste, and journalism history.

See also: sensationnel, sensationnelisme (or sensationalisme), and the English terms sensationalism and tabloid press.