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. Tired cliches that are recycled by lazy reporters






2. The person who reads the news during a newscast and provides transition between stories






3. A lead that begins a story by placing readers in the middle of the action






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






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






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






7. The text of a story






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






9. A story explaining an upcoming meeting or event






10. A word or phrase used by a writer to move a story from one point to another






11. An advertisement






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






13. Reckless disregard of the truth; printing something you know to be false






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






15. To delete part of a story






16. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






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






18. A small photo showing a person's face






19. Part advertising - part editorial






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






21. The public's perception of the reliability of a reporter or news outlet






22. Any map - chart or diagram used to analyze an event - object or place






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






24. News reporting that's sleazy or sensational






25. A graphic device that labels regularly appearing material






26. An indirect quote that summarizes - in your own words - what someone else said






27. An early version of a story






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






29. A story reported by only one news outlet






30. A direct question intended to elicit a yes-or-not answer






31. Records or people providing journalists with information






32. The top-ranking executive of a newspaper - who oversees all departments






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






34. A small - detailed page diagram showing where all elements go






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






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






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






38. Someone who posts news online without having been trained as a reporter affiliated with any news organization






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






40. Advice or commentary by a columnist writing in a distinctive style on a consistent topic






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






42. A longer analysis piece that attempts to put a complex issue into perspective






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






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






45. The first words of a cut or wrap






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






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






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






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






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