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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. An interview printed in question-and-answer form






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






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






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






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






7. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






8. A small photo showing a person's face






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






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






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






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






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






14. An organization that complies news - features and photos and distributes them - for a fee - to subscribing publications






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






16. A question phrased in a way that encourages a source to give a lengthy - in-depth answer






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






18. Someone who works for a news organization a reporter - editor - photographer - etc.






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






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






21. Part advertising - part editorial






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






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






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






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






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






27. A story in progress






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






29. The written version of a radio news story






30. A short - amusing news story






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






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






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






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






35. A typeface






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






37. The legal protection given to authors preventing others from copying or selling their work






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






39. A story reported by only one news outlet






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






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






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






43. Large type running above or beside a story to summarize its content






44. The placement of art and text on a page






45. To question or investigate in depth






46. An entry on a blog






47. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






48. Short for 'paragraph'






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






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