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 major story on top of page one.






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






3. A page of typewritten copy for newspaper use.






4. Believability of a writer or publication






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






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






7. Similar to libel but spoken instead of published






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






9. 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






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






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






12. A line identifying the author of a story.






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






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






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






16. 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.)






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






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






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






20. 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






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






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






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






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






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






26. Continuation of a story from one page to another






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






28. 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






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






30. 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.






31. 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.






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






33. Stories clipped from your own or other newspapers.






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






35. A story including a number of related events.






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






37. The department responsible for distribution of the newspaper.






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






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






40. Credit given to who said what or the source of facts






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






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






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






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






45. The completed page drawing.






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






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






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






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






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