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. An agreement by a reporter and a source specifying that information revealed in an interview cannot be printed in any form






2. Tired cliches that are recycled by lazy reporters






3. A small photo showing a person's face






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






5. Information sent out by a group or individual seeking publicity






6. The name given to a story for newsroom use






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






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






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






10. A feature that provides drama or emotional impact for readers






11. The emphasis given to a story or an element within a story






12. Reckless disregard of the truth; printing something you know to be false






13. A non-breaking-news story on people - trends or issues






14. Not prerecorded; usually refers to stories filed from a news scene






15. The first words of a cut or wrap






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






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






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






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






20. A short news story






21. A type of news lead that withholds a significant piece of information (usually a person's last name)






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






23. Gathering information for a news story from a group of online readers






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






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






26. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






27. An exclusive story no other news outlet has






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






29. Used to highlight items listed in the text






30. Sombining a variety of media to cover a story






31. To delete part of a story






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






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






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






35. Two or more stories on the same topic - usually published in a scheduled sequence






36. A short - amusing news story






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






38. A story in progress






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






40. 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






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






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






43. An early version of a story






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






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






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






47. The placement of art and text on a page






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






49. A part-time correspondent who is not a regular newsroom employee but gets paid by the story






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