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. A brief headline or promo for a coming radio or tv news story






2. unfairly favoring one side over another when writing a story






3. Presenting information using more than one medium - combining text - graphics - audio and video






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






5. A software program that enables you to view Web pages






6. A short news story






7. The emphasis given to a story or an element within a story






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






9. A story in progress






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






11. Software used to produced animated graphics






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






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






14. A news story structure that presents the most important facts first; the rest of the information is organized in descending order of importance






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






16. A type of blogging where bloggers post extremely brief updates






17. Information sent out by a group or individual seeking publicity






18. The space running vertically between two columns






19. A 'follow-up' story that provides additional details about an event that was previously covered






20. A line or paragraph that alerts readers to a related story elsewhere in the paper or on the web site






21. A recorded comment from a news source






22. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






23. The area or subject that a reporter is responsible for covering. (topic - institution - location)






24. The section of a sports arena or stadium reserved for reporters covering the event






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






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






27. A full-size newspaper






28. The right of public officials to speak without threat of libel when carrying out their duties






29. Sombining a variety of media to cover a story






30. Information sent out by a group of individual seeking publicity






31. A staffer who works with reporters - editors - photographers and designers to plan and create special treatment for stories






32. Factual coverage of serious events






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






34. A typeface






35. A self-employed writer who sells stories to publications






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






37. An indirect quote that summarizes - in your own words - what someone else said






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






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






40. A way to measure the depth of a story






41. Adding description or human interest or slanting it unfairly by adding bias






42. Short for obituary - a story about someone who has died






43. Reporting that requires extensive research to uncover information on misconduct or corruption that has been concealed from the public






44. The written version of a radio news story






45. To question or investigate in depth






46. Lines of type - often bold - used to divide text into smaller sections






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






48. Reporters - anchors - disc jockeys - those paid to appear on the air






49. Two or more stories on the same topic - usually published in a scheduled sequence






50. The story deserving the biggest headline and best display on page one - or at the start of a newscast