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 group of reporters and photographers selected to cover a story where access is limited






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






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






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






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






6. A story layout designed across two facing pages






7. To question or investigate in depth






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






9. To continue a story on another page






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






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






12. The first words of a cut or wrap






13. To delay or relocate a story






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






15. A reporter who files stories from outside the newsroom






16. To gather news about an event






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






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






19. A way to measure the depth of a story






20. An interview session where someone answers questions from a group of reporters






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






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






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






24. Reporters - anchors - disc jockeys - those paid to appear on the air






25. A graphic device that labels regularly appearing material






26. Words the introduce some element in a broadcast news story






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






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






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






30. An advertisement






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






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






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






34. Someone who writes a blog






35. Defamation by the spoken word.






36. To kill or withhold a story from publication






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






38. A story that explains the basics of an issue or event. also refers to an interview in which a source provides information - though not necessarily for publication






39. A graphic treatment of a quotation taken from a story - often using bold or italic type and a photo






40. The placement of art and text on a page






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






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






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






44. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






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






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






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






48. A longer analysis piece that attempts to put a complex issue into perspective






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






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