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. Associated Press - a worldwide news-gathering cooperative






2. Not prerecorded; usually refers to stories filed from a news scene






3. An unanswered question in a story; a significant missing fact that's identified when a story is edited






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






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






6. Sending information to many destinations simultaneously via radio - television or computer network






7. The middle number or halfway point in a series of numbers arranged by size






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






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






10. The name given to a story for newsroom use






11. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity






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






13. Defamation by the spoken word.






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






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






16. An interview session where someone fields questions from a group of reporters






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






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






19. A small photo showing a person's face






20. A small headline running below the main headline






21. A block of information - including staff names and publication data - often printed on the editorial page






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






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






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






25. A story explaining an upcoming meeting or event






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






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






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






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






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






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






32. Newsroom slang for the crime reporters that summarizes facts about local arrests






33. The text of a story






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






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






36. A self-employed writer who sells stories to publications






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






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






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






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






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






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






43. A story layout designed across two facing pages






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






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






46. News reporting that's sleazy or sensational






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






48. A phrase inserted into a story that advises copy editors that the information has been checked






49. A typesetting mistake






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