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






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






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






4. A person who talks to a reporter on the record for attribution in a news story






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






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






7. In libel law a reckless disregard for the truth such as when a reporter or an editor knows that a statement is false and prints or airs it anyway.






8. The opening paragraph of a story that reports two or more newsworthy elements.






9. A page of typewritten copy for newspaper use.






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






11. Continuation of a story from one page to another






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






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






14. A position that is partial or slanted






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






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






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






18. Stories clipped from your own or other newspapers.






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






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






21. The place the story was filed






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






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






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






25. A beginning reporter.






26. 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






27. 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






28. 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






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. The caption that accompanies a newspaper or magazine photograph.






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






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






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






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






35. Most prestigious prize for journalists or photographers






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






37. Abbreviation for paragraph






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






39. A line identifying the author of a story.






40. The organization of a news story in which information is arranged in descending order of importance.






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






42. The major story on top of page one.






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






44. A story including a number of related events.






45. 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.






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






47. Similar to libel but spoken instead of published






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






49. A story that focuses on the human side of news and often appeals to the readers' emotion - a piece valued more for its emotional impact or oddity than for its importance.






50. Newsroom library