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. The name given to a story for newsroom use






2. An exclusive story no other news outlet has






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






4. To inject the reporter's opinion inappropriately into a news story or headline






5. A news story by a reporter that doesn't use actualities






6. A newspaper that prints a new edition every day






7. Providing a community angle on a national story by discussing its connection to local people - issues - or events






8. A short - amusing news story






9. Journalism that focuses tightly on local community activities






10. A lead that begins a story by placing readers in the middle of the action






11. A recorded comment from a news source






12. A story reported by only one news outlet






13. An audio version of a news story made available for downloading on a web site






14. Software used to produced animated graphics






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






16. An agreement by a reporter and a source specifying that information revealed in an interview cannot be printed in any form






17. A newspaper format that's roughly half the size of a standard page






18. A page distributed by public relations practitioners highlighting key data about a product - project or event






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






20. The slanting of information by a source - usually an attempt to make someone look good






21. The exact words spoken by a source






22. The top-ranking executive of a newspaper - who oversees all departments






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






24. A feature that provides drama or emotional impact for readers






25. A rookie or trainee reporter






26. An ending that concludes a story in a clever way






27. A news lead that summarizes the most significant of the five W's






28. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity






29. The lead to a reporter's warp - read by an anchor






30. To question or investigate in depth






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






32. The public's perception of the reliability of a reporter or news outlet






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






34. The right of journalists to print their opinion on the performance of public figures or entertainers






35. Stories that are lighter and less urgent than serious breaking news events






36. A web site where ordinary users can write and edit content collaboratively






37. Used to highlight items listed in the text






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






39. A phrase inserted into a story that advises copy editors that the information has been checked






40. A person who gathers and writes news stories for publication or broadcast






41. An explanatory paragraph near the top of the story that summarizes what the story is about






42. A sentence or block of type providing descriptive information about a photo






43. A reporter who files stories from outside the newsroom






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






45. A restriction placed on a news story or press release that specifies where the information can be made public






46. A story layout designed across two facing pages






47. Factual coverage of serious events






48. Gathering information for a news story from a group of online readers






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






50. A small photo showing a person's face