Test your basic knowledge |

Journalism Vocab

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The process of preparing page drawings to indicate where stories and pictures are to be placed in the newspaper.






2. Usually means 'don't quote me.'






3. Stories that are interesting but less important than hard news - focusing on people as well as facts and information and including interviews reviews articles and editorials






4. A reporter's assigned area of responsibility. It may be an institution a geographical area or a subject such as science.






5. Reporting that ignores or treats lightly negative news about friends of a reporter.






6. Lines used to separate one story from another on a newspaper page






7. Stories clipped from your own or other newspapers.






8. The name of the reporter






9. Line of type at the bottom of a column which directs the reader to somewhere else in the paper where the story is completed allowing more space for stories to begin on the front page






10. To inject the reporter's or the newspaper's opinion into a news story or headline.






11. A fragment of information that may lead to a story.






12. A feature story that focuses on the current fads directions tendencies and inclinations of society






13. Similar to libel but spoken instead of published






14. Services that provide news from around the world to publications that subscribe for a fee (e.g. Associated Press Canadian Press Reuters and United Press International)






15. An indirect quote or summary of the words the news maker said - condensing and clarifying a quotation to convey the meaning more precisely than the way the speaker expressed it.






16. An article in which a writer or columnist gives an opinion on a topic






17. The major story on top of page one.






18. The 'banner' across the front page which identifies the newspaper and the date of publication






19. An ending that finishes a story with a climax surprise or punch line






20. Particular emphasis of a media presentation sometimes called a slant






21. A page in a newspaper that is opposite the editorial page and contains columns articles letters for readers and other items expressing opinions






22. Believability of a writer or publication






23. Correspondent not a regular staff member who is paid by the story or by the number of words written.






24. Legislation giving journalists the right to protect the identity of sources.






25. Statutes under which an individual or a group can take action against another group or individual.






26. The main article on the front page of a newspaper or the cover story in a magazine






27. The individual responsible for the business operations of a newspaper.






28. A writer's development of distinctive characteristics and idiosyncrasies of language use that make his or her writing as easily recognizable as the inflections tone and pronunciation of speech that make a person's vocalized speech pat terns distinc






29. Video images shot specifically to be used over a reporter's words to illustrate the news event or story to cover up audio edits of quotes (to avoid the jerking head effect) or to cover up bad shots (out of focus poorly lighted etc.)






30. A story intended to reveal the personality or character of an institution or person.






31. The opening paragraph of a story in which the 'who' is reported by name.






32. Newsroom library






33. Short related story added to the end of a longer one






34. A typewritten page of copy following the first page.






35. A collection filed according to date of newspaper clippings letters notes and other information to remind editors of stories to assign.






36. The caption that accompanies a newspaper or magazine photograph.






37. A research technique in which the reporter joins in the activity he or she wants to write about.






38. A smaller headline which comes between the headline and the story






39. The department responsible for distribution of the newspaper.






40. Continuation of a story from one page to another






41. Abbreviation for paragraph






42. Hidden slant of a press source which usually casts the client in a positive light






43. To keep abreast of significant developments on a beat or to report on a specfic event.






44. A direct question designed to draw a specific response; for example 'Will you be a candidate?'






45. Story that requires a great amount of research and hard work to come up with facts that might be hidden buried or obscured by people who have a vested interest in keeping those facts from being published






46. A story supplying further information about an item that has already been published.






47. Shaded areas of copy in a newspaper






48. A story usually short that is humorous or pleasing to the reader.






49. A column of copy and/or graphics which appears on the page of a magazine or newspaper to communicate information about the story or contents of the paper






50. A position that is partial or slanted