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






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






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






4. A web log; an online journal providing commentary news dispatches and/or links to related Web sites






5. The space running vertically between two columns






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






7. The recorded voice of someone in the news - or sound from a news event






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






9. News reporting that's sleazy or sensational






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






11. Sombining a variety of media to cover a story






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






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






14. Records or people providing journalists with information






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






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






17. 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.






18. The name given to a story for newsroom use






19. A full-size newspaper






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






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






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






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






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






25. The written version of a radio news story






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






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






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






29. Lines of type - often bold - used to divide text into smaller sections






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






31. A graphic device that labels regularly appearing material






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






33. Software used to produced animated graphics






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






35. Material for news sites that's provided by the public rather than news organizations or journalists






36. A question phrased in a way that encourages a source to give a lengthy - in-depth answer






37. An excessively long lead that's overstuffed with facts - like a bulging suitcase






38. The main page of a web site - providing links to the rest of the site






39. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity






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






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






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






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






44. An attention-getting lead






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






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






47. unfairly favoring one side over another when writing a story






48. Providing a community angle on a national story by discussing its connection to local people - issues - or events






49. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






50. Factual coverage of serious events