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






2. A reporter who files stories from outside the newsroom






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






4. A package of information about a product - group or event - often containing background information - photos - news releases and so on






5. A newsroom staffer who edits stories and writes headlines






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






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






8. A feature story that uses interviews and observations to paint a picture of someone newsworthy






9. A small headline running below the main headline






10. Defamation by the spoken word.






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






12. The exact words spoken by a source






13. A special label for any regularly appearing section - page - or story






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






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






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






17. A story clipped from a newspaper






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






19. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






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






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






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






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






24. A way to measure the depth of a story






25. The final words of a cut or wrap






26. Activities or writings that incite resistance or hostility toward the government






27. A compilation of newsroom rules for punctuation - capitalization - abbreviation - etc. with guidelines on everything from handling profanity to recording sports scores






28. The first sentence or paragraph of a story






29. To design a page on a computer






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






31. A blog written by a reporter or team of reporters that focuses on specialized topic such as local crime - sports or politics






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






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






34. 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






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






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






37. 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






38. A typeface






39. The page opposite a newspaper's editorial page - usually reserved for columns and letters to the editor






40. A word or name that's stylized in a graphic way






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






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






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






44. A recorded sound bit played during a tv news story






45. Sending information to many destinations simultaneously via radio - television or computer network






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






47. The name given to a story for newsroom use






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






49. An interview session where someone answers questions from a group of reporters






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