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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 short news story






2. News reporting that's sleazy or sensational






3. To delete part of a story






4. To delay or relocate a story






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






6. The placement of art and text on a page






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






8. The business and craft of producing content for the news media






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






10. A special label for any regularly appearing section - page - or story






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






12. A device that projects a news script in front of the camera lens for an anchor to read






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






14. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






15. The skills and tactics used to convey information and maintain a positive public image about a person - product - event or organization






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






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






18. The page opposite a newspaper's editorial page - usually reserved for columns and letters to the editor






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






20. The exact words spoken by a source






21. A roundup of stories by each department of a newsroom






22. A recorded comment from a news source






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






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






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






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






27. A news lead that summarizes the most significant of the five W's






28. A person who assigns - approves - or corrects stories for publication or broadcast






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






30. Factual coverage of serious events






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






32. Adding description or human interest or slanting it unfairly by adding bias






33. To gather news about an event






34. Information sent out by a group of individual seeking publicity






35. To identify the source of a fact - opinion or quote






36. Words appearing at the start of a first paragraph of a story that identify where the story was filed






37. 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.






38. A section or fragment of a longer quote that you insert into anther sentence






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






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






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






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






43. An explanatory paragraph near the top of the story that summarizes what the story is about






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






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






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






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






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






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






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