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






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






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






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






5. To publish an important or dramatic story for the first time






6. The lead to a reporter's warp - read by an anchor






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






8. The name given to a story for newsroom use






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






10. Records or people providing journalists with information






11. The newsroom department responsible for editing stories - writing headlines - and designing pages






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






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






14. To inject the reporter's opinion inappropriately into a news story or headline






15. To question or investigate in depth






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






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






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






19. Commentary that expresses opinion about a current event or issue






20. A writer's unique blend of syntax - vocabulary and perspective that gives his or her writing its characteristic personality






21. Factual coverage of serious events






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






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






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






25. A news library - where published stories and photos are stored for reference






26. Violating the right of an ordinary person to be left alone






27. Part advertising - part editorial






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






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






30. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






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






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






33. A staffer who works with reporters - editors - photographers and designers to plan and create special treatment for stories






34. A rookie or trainee reporter






35. State and federal laws that guarantee public access to meetings of government bodies






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






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






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






39. The first words of a cut or wrap






40. To delete part of a story






41. The exact words spoken by a source






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






43. A typeface






44. The term used for counting the number of visitors to a web page






45. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






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






47. A story in progress






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






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






50. A newsgathering office separate from the main newsroom.