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. Video images shot at a news scene that are later used to illustrate or cover a sound bit or reporter's track that was recorded separately






2. A story explaining an upcoming meeting or event






3. A recounting of an entertaining or informative incident within a story






4. Lines of type - often bold - used to divide text into smaller sections






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






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






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






8. A block of information - including staff names and publication data - often printed on the editorial page






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






10. Advice or commentary by a columnist writing in a distinctive style on a consistent topic






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






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






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






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






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






16. To question or investigate in depth






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






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






19. A lead that begins a story by placing readers in the middle of the action






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






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






22. To delay or relocate a story






23. The space running vertically between two columns






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






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






26. A reporter who files stories from outside the newsroom






27. Journalism that focuses tightly on local community activities






28. Statutes that give journalists the right to protect the identity of sources when questioned during judicial proceedings






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






30. Records or people providing journalists with information






31. An interview printed in question-and-answer form






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






33. An exclusive story no other news outlet has






34. A small story or chart accompanying a bigger story on the same topic






35. A story in progress






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






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






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






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






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






41. A particular demographic at which media producers or advertisers aim their messages






42. A small - detailed page diagram showing where all elements go






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






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






45. An advertisement






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






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






48. The name given to a story for newsroom use






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






50. A newsgathering office separate from the main newsroom.