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






2. Providing a community angle on a national story by discussing its connection to local people - issues - or events






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






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






5. A press release - complete with images and sound - ready to be used in a televised newscast






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






7. The text of a story






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






9. The section of a sports arena or stadium reserved for reporters covering the event






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






11. The right of public officials to speak without threat of libel when carrying out their duties






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






13. An excessively long lead that's overstuffed with facts - like a bulging suitcase






14. A storytelling style where events unfold chronologically






15. The estimated number of readers who view a publication






16. An early version of a story






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






18. A series of photos and captions that illustrates a topic or event on a web site






19. Someone who posts news online without having been trained as a reporter affiliated with any news organization






20. A story reported by only one news outlet






21. The space running vertically between two columns






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






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






24. A story in progress






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






26. To gather news about an event






27. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






28. Someone who writes a blog






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






30. A reporter who files stories from outside the newsroom






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






32. News reporting that's sleazy or sensational






33. Software used to produced animated graphics






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






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






36. A short - amusing news story






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






38. The use of quotes to re-create a conversation between two or more people






39. An article or project that's more creative - original - and ambitious than typical news stories






40. To delay or relocate a story






41. An attention-getting lead






42. Presenting information using more than one medium - combining text - graphics - audio and video






43. The placement of art and text on a page






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






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






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






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






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






49. Factual coverage of serious events






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