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 placement of art and text on a page






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






3. The written version of a radio news story






4. A person who assigns - approves - or corrects stories for publication or broadcast






5. A situation where a journalist's personal interests affect the coverage of a story






6. Defamation by the spoken word.






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






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






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






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






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






12. To kill or withhold a story from publication






13. A way to measure the depth of a story






14. The first words of a cut or wrap






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






16. A press release - complete with images and sound - ready to be used in a televised newscast






17. A small headline running below the main headline






18. Someone who writes a blog






19. Where a reporter covers a wide range of stories rather than focusing on a specific beat






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






21. To continue a story on another page






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






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






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






25. An interview session where someone answers questions from a group of reporters






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






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






28. A short - amusing news story






29. HyperText Markup Language - the coding used to format and display






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






31. Part advertising - part editorial






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






33. Tired cliches that are recycled by lazy reporters






34. Statutes that give journalists the right to protect the identity of sources when questioned during judicial proceedings






35. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






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






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






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






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






40. In radio or tv new stories - sounds recorded to capture the flavor of a news scene






41. A shot of a reporter at a news scene reporting a story






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






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






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






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






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






47. Video images shot at a news scene that are later used to illustrate or cover a sound bit or reporter's track that was recorded separately






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






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






50. A special label for any regularly appearing section - page - or story