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






2. A write whose commentary is sold and distributed by a news organization for reprinting in other publications






3. A storytelling style where events unfold chronologically






4. The newsroom department responsible for editing stories - writing headlines - and designing pages






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






6. Someone who works for a news organization a reporter - editor - photographer - etc.






7. The written version of a radio news story






8. Defamation by the spoken word.






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






10. An advertisement






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






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






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






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






15. A campaign by a news outlet to bring about reform or encourage government action






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






17. Journalism that focuses tightly on local community activities






18. An early version of a story






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






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






21. Part advertising - part editorial






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






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






24. A blog written by a reporter or team of reporters that focuses on specialized topic such as local crime - sports or politics






25. Commentary that expresses opinion about a current event or issue






26. Aligning lines of text so they're even along both the right and left margins






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






28. A recounting of an entertaining or informative incident within a story






29. The word journalists use to refer to a published article






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






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






32. A way to measure the depth of a story






33. A collection of facts and data that's organized by journalists into a searchable format






34. A story that explains the basics of an issue or event. also refers to an interview in which a source provides information - though not necessarily for publication






35. Specialized technical or bureaucratic language that's often confusing or meaningless to ordinary readers






36. News reporting that's sleazy or sensational






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






44. A story explaining an upcoming meeting or event






45. Software used to produced animated graphics






46. State and federal laws guaranteeing public access to most government records






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






48. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






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






50. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity