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Test your basic knowledge |

Media Writing 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. An interview session where someone fields questions from a group of reporters






2. A type of news lead that withholds a significant piece of information (usually a person's last name)






3. A small - detailed page diagram showing where all elements go






4. The interconnected community of blogs and bloggers who post comments and link to each other's blogs






5. The space running vertically between two columns






6. A small headline running below the main headline






7. A humorous - dramatic or revealing incident that's used to begin a story






8. A package of information about a product - group or event - often containing background information - photos - news releases and so on






9. When the anchor speaks over video - or when a reporter narrates over video cover






10. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity






11. State and federal laws that guarantee public access to meetings of government bodies






12. A recorded comment from a news source






13. The reporter's name - usually printed at the beginning of a story






14. A story clipped from a newspaper






15. A group of reporters and photographers selected to cover a story where access is limited






16. Newsroom slang for the crime reporters that summarizes facts about local arrests






17. A 1966 law requiring federal agencies to make most of their records available to the public upon request






18. An entry on a blog






19. A reporter who files stories from outside the newsroom






20. A section or fragment of a longer quote that you insert into anther sentence






21. A graphic treatment of a quotation taken from a story - often using bold or italic type and a photo






22. A block of information - including staff names and publication data - often printed on the editorial page






23. Passing off someone else's words or ideas as your own






24. Use online sites such as facebook and myspace to build relationships with colleagues and sources






25. The written phrase that identifies the source of a fact - opinion or quote in a story






26. A newspaper that prints a new edition every day






27. Words the introduce some element in a broadcast news story






28. A rookie or trainee reporter






29. A typesetting mistake






30. To identify the source of a fact - opinion or quote






31. The focus - emphasis - or 'slant' of a story; a distinctive way of viewing and writing about a topic






32. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






33. Tired cliches that are recycled by lazy reporters






34. A shot of a reporter at a news scene reporting a story






35. The business and craft of producing content for the news media






36. A typeface






37. The closing line where reporters say their name and station call letters






38. A short - amusing news story






39. A particular demographic at which media producers or advertisers aim their messages






40. A journalistic defense against libel that allows reporters to print what's said in legislative or judicial proceedings - to express opinions or to review public performances






41. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






42. Designation by an editor for a reporter or photographer to cover an event






43. A proofreading comment that means 'leave it - ignore any editing notations'






44. A device that projects a news script in front of the camera lens for an anchor to read






45. A question phrased in a way that encourages a source to give a lengthy - in-depth answer






46. A special label for any regularly appearing section - page - or story






47. A lead in which the 'who' is identified by name - usually because the person is recognizable to most readers






48. A section of a story that's written ahead of time for an event that will occur close to deadline






49. A compilation of newsroom rules for punctuation - capitalization - abbreviation - etc. with guidelines on everything from handling profanity to recording sports scores






50. A roundup of stories by each department of a newsroom






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