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 rookie or trainee reporter






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






3. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity






4. A newsgathering office separate from the main newsroom.






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






6. A way to measure the depth of a story






7. To design a page on a computer






8. Journalism that focuses tightly on local community activities






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






10. A type of news lead that withholds a significant piece of information (usually a person's last name)






11. A full-size newspaper






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






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






14. A story clipped from a newspaper






15. An early version of a story






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






17. To continue a story on another page






18. The written version of a radio news story






19. The placement of art and text on a page






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






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






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






23. The space running vertically between two columns






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






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






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






27. A storytelling style where events unfold chronologically






28. The first words of a cut or wrap






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






30. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






31. Used to highlight items listed in the text






32. The lead to a reporter's warp - read by an anchor






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






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






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






36. To gather news about an event






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






38. 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






39. The exact words spoken by a source






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






41. In libel cases - someone who exercises power or influence in governmental affairs






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






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






44. An agreement by a reporter and a source specifying that information revealed in an interview cannot be printed in any form






45. An article or project that's more creative - original - and ambitious than typical news stories






46. The name of a newspaper as it's displayd on page one






47. To lengthen a story by adding unnecessary material - usually so it fits a predetermined length






48. A person who gathers and writes news stories for publication or broadcast






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






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