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






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






3. Records or people providing journalists with information






4. State and federal laws that guarantee public access to meetings of government bodies






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






6. Journalism that focuses tightly on local community activities






7. To gather news about an event






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






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






10. The recorded voice of someone in the news - or sound from a news event






11. 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






12. Any map - chart or diagram used to analyze an event - object or place






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






14. The closing line where reporters say their name and station call letters






15. To publish an important or dramatic story for the first time






16. Factual coverage of serious events






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






18. A write whose commentary is sold and distributed by a news organization for reprinting in other publications






19. 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






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






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






22. An attention-getting lead






23. Tired cliches that are recycled by lazy reporters






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






25. A story clipped from a newspaper






26. A clickable word or image on a web page that directs you to another page or site






27. unfairly favoring one side over another when writing a story






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






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






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






31. A collection of clips - press releases - notes and story ideas - arranged by date - to remind editors of upcoming stories to assign






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






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






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






35. A small headline running below the main headline






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






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






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






39. An exclusive story no other news outlet has






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






41. The first sentence or paragraph of a story






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






43. A newsgathering office separate from the main newsroom.






44. Reporting that requires extensive research to uncover information on misconduct or corruption that has been concealed from the public






45. The public's perception of the reliability of a reporter or news outlet






46. An early version of a story






47. Information that may be used in a story but which cannot be attributed in any way - in order to protect the source's identity






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






49. Aligning lines of text so they're even along both the right and left margins






50. An entry on a blog