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. Newsroom library






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






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






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






5. People or records from which a reporter gets information.






6. Damage to a person's reputation caused by a false written statement that brings the person into hatred contempt or ridicule or injures his or her business or occupation.






7. Determination of the truth of the material the reporter gathers or is given.






8. 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






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






10. To cut or mask the unwanted portions usually of a photograph.






11. Any overly obscure technical or bureaucratic words that would not be used in everyday language






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






13. The place the story was filed






14. A page of typewritten copy for newspaper use.






15. The completed page drawing.






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






17. Stories clipped from your own or other newspapers.






18. Story a reporter has obtained to the exclusion of the competition.






19. Publicity story or a story that contains unwarranted superlatives.






20. 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






21. Similar to libel but spoken instead of published






22. 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.)






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






24. Copy which accompanies a photograph or graphiccopy which accompanies a photograph or graphic






25. A line identifying the author of a story.






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






27. Abbreviation for 'hold for release.' Material that cannot be used until it is released by the source or at a designated time.






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






29. A completed television news story on tape which is edited before a news show goes on air and contains reporter's stand-ups narration over images and an out-cue for the anchor to start speaking at the end of the tape






30. Using the work of another person (both written words and intellectual property) and calling that work your own






31. Factual accounts of important events usually appearing first in a newspaper






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






33. A newspaper story beginning that uses humor or an interesting incident.






34. 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






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






36. The process of preparing page drawings to indicate where stories and pictures are to be placed in the newspaper.






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. Information that is not intended for publication






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






43. A secondary story intended to be run with a major story on the same topic.






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






45. A worldwide news-gathering cooperative owned by its subscribers.






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






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






48. A beginning reporter.






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






50. Abbreviation for paragraph