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






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






3. Someone who writes a blog






4. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






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






6. A journalistic defense against libel that allows reporters to print what's said in legislative or judicial proceedings - to express opinions or to review public performances






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






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






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






10. To delete part of a story






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






12. A story supplying additional details about an event that's been previously covered






13. A story explaining an upcoming meeting or event






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






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






16. An interview printed in question-and-answer form






17. State and federal laws guaranteeing public access to most government records






18. The name given to a story for newsroom use






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






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






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






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






23. The story deserving the biggest headline and best display on page one - or at the start of a newscast






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






25. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






26. The interconnected community of blogs and bloggers who post comments and link to each other's blogs






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






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






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






30. The most prestigious award in journalism - established by publisher Joseph Pulitzer at Columbia University






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






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






33. A humorous - dramatic or revealing incident that's used to begin a story






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






35. Publishing or broadcasting a false statement that maliciously or carelessly damages someone's reputation






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






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






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






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






40. A rookie or trainee reporter






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






42. A flattering story written to provide gratuitous publicity






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






44. Associated Press - a worldwide news-gathering cooperative






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






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






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






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






49. The word journalists use to refer to a published article






50. A recorded comment from a news source