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






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






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






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






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






6. Similar to libel but spoken instead of published






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






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






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






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






11. A page of typewritten copy for newspaper use.






12. A position that is partial or slanted






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






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






15. The department responsible for distribution of the newspaper.






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






17. 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.






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






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






20. Information that is not intended for publication






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






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






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






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






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






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






27. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. 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.)






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






37. 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






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






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






40. The term most journalists use for a newspaper article.






41. 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.






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






43. Stories clipped from your own or other newspapers.






44. Continuation of a story from one page to another






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






46. 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






47. Newsroom library






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






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






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