Final answer:
The style of journalism characterized by sensationalism and exaggeration to attract readers is known as yellow journalism, which was used by figures like Hearst and Pulitzer in the late 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sensationalized style of journalism designed to attract readers by reporting shocking and sordid stories to sell more newspapers is known as yellow journalism. This technique of journalism emphasizes eye-catching headlines and sensationalism over factual reporting in order to stir up public emotion and increase circulation. Major figures like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were notorious for employing yellow journalism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly during events like the Spanish-American War to influence public opinion. As a contrast, muckraking refers to the process of exposing social ills and corporate and political corruption, a noble and crucial form of investigative journalism that became prominent during the Progressive Era.