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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 attention-getting lead






2. Any map - chart or diagram used to analyze an event - object or place






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






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






5. Large type running above or beside a story to summarize its content






6. A rookie or trainee reporter






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






8. Tired cliches that are recycled by lazy reporters






9. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






10. A format that lets web users subscribe to feeds from blogs or web sites






11. Part advertising - part editorial






12. Transferring a court proceeding to another jurisdiction after the prosecution or defense claims that potential jurors have been prejudiced by local media coverage






13. An entry on a blog






14. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






15. Activities or writings that incite resistance or hostility toward the government






16. To delete a story - or something within a story






17. Journalism that focuses tightly on local community activities






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






19. A direct question intended to elicit a yes-or-not answer






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






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






22. A storytelling style where events unfold chronologically






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






24. The final words of a cut or wrap






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






26. An unanswered question in a story; a significant missing fact that's identified when a story is edited






27. Information that may be used in a story but which cannot be attributed in any way - in order to protect the source's identity






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






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






30. Violating the right of an ordinary person to be left alone






31. Sending information to many destinations simultaneously via radio - television or computer network






32. Questions intended to steer an interviewee in a particular direction






33. A feature story on the culture's latest fads - fashions - and ideas






34. Short for 'paragraph'






35. A full-size newspaper






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






37. To design a page on a computer






38. To gather news about an event






39. A writer's unique blend of syntax - vocabulary and perspective that gives his or her writing its characteristic personality






40. In libel cases - a person who has acquired fame or notoriety or has participated in some public controversy






41. A series of photos and captions that illustrates a topic or event on a web site






42. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity






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






44. A collection of clips - press releases - notes and story ideas - arranged by date - to remind editors of upcoming stories to assign






45. A short - amusing news story






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






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






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






49. Information gathered by reporters to help them understand a story's history - meaning - context - etc. also refers to quotes or facts that can be used in a story without disclosing the source's name.






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