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 particular demographic at which media producers or advertisers aim their messages






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






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






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






5. Short for 'paragraph'






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






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






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






9. A short news story






10. To question or investigate in depth






11. An entry on a blog






12. The top news executive in a television newsroom - responsible for news content - budget decision - hiring and firing staff - etc.






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






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






15. To delay or relocate a story






16. A rookie or trainee reporter






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






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






19. A graphic device that labels regularly appearing material






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






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






22. A way to measure the depth of a story






23. The space running vertically between two columns






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






25. A word or name that's stylized in a graphic way






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






27. A story in progress






28. A 1966 law requiring federal agencies to make most of their records available to the public upon request






29. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






30. To kill or withhold a story from publication






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






32. The right of public officials to speak without threat of libel when carrying out their duties






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






34. Factual coverage of serious events






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






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






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






38. In libel cases - a person who has acquired fame or notoriety or has participated in some public controversy






39. A recorded sound bit played during a tv news story






40. A recorded comment from a news source






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






42. Specialized technical or bureaucratic language that's often confusing or meaningless to ordinary readers






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






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






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






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






47. A reporter who files stories from outside the newsroom






48. A 'follow-up' story that provides additional details about an event that was previously covered






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






50. Small type used for sports statistics - stock tables - classified ads - etc.