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






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






3. The legal protection given to authors preventing others from copying or selling their work






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






5. When journalists take sides in a controversial issue - promoting a particular point of view






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






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






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






9. A small headline running below the main headline






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






11. To design a page on a computer






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






13. Factual coverage of serious events






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






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






16. An advertisement






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






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






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






20. A story that is continuing to unfold - necessitating follow-up stories as events develop






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






22. To publish an important or dramatic story for the first time






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






24. An organization that complies news - features and photos and distributes them - for a fee - to subscribing publications






25. A story that uses multiple points of entry to make complex topics more accessible to readers






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






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






28. The first sentence or paragraph of a story






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






30. A recorded sound bit played during a tv news story






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






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






33. A radio news story that begins and ends with a reporter's voice 'wrapped' around one or more sound bites






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






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






36. A short - amusing news story






37. A clickable word or image on a web page that directs you to another page or site






38. Records or people providing journalists with information






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






40. A full-size newspaper






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






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






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






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






45. A story layout designed across two facing pages






46. A feature story that uses interviews and observations to paint a picture of someone newsworthy






47. A typesetting mistake






48. A part-time correspondent who is not a regular newsroom employee but gets paid by the story






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






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