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






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






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






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






6. To kill or withhold a story from publication






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






8. Designation by an editor for a reporter or photographer to cover an event






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






10. Short for 'paragraph'






11. A small headline running below the main headline






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






13. To design a page on a computer






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






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






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






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






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






19. The written phrase that identifies the source of a fact - opinion or quote in a story






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






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






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






23. Factual coverage of serious events






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






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






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






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






28. A way to measure the depth of a story






29. A news story by a reporter that doesn't use actualities






30. The first words of a cut or wrap






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






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






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






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






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






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






37. A small photo showing a person's face






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






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






40. A typesetting mistake






41. A short - amusing news story






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






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






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






45. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






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






47. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






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






49. 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






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