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. People or records from which a reporter gets information.






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






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






4. 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






5. Headline across or near the top of all or most of a newspaper page. Also called a line ribbon streamer screamer






6. The completed page drawing.






7. Narrow margin of white space in the center area in a magazine newspaper or book where two pages meet






8. The machine that prints a newspaper. Also a synonym for a journalist or journalism.






9. 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






10. An article expressing a newspaper or magazine owner's or editor's position on an issue






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






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






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






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






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






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






17. 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






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






19. Opening paragraph of a story in which the 'who' is identified by occupation city office or any means other than by name.






20. A line identifying the author of a story.






21. Most prestigious prize for journalists or photographers






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






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






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






25. Shaded areas of copy in a newspaper






26. Newsroom library






27. The name of the reporter






28. The person who 'edits' a story by revising and polishing






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. Information that is not intended for publication






36. A beginning reporter.






37. 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.)






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






39. A story including a number of related events.






40. Any written material intended for publication including advertising - What reporters write. A story is a piece of copy.






41. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






47. 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






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






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






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