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. The placement of art and text on a page






2. A story reported by only one news outlet






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






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






5. A software program that enables you to view Web pages






6. The business and craft of producing content for the news media






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






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






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






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






11. To identify the source of a fact - opinion or quote






12. A short news story






13. An entry on a blog






14. A feature that provides drama or emotional impact for readers






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






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






17. The first sentence or paragraph of a story






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






19. A format that lets web users subscribe to feeds from blogs or web sites






20. Records or people providing journalists with information






21. A small photo showing a person's face






22. A web site where ordinary users can write and edit content collaboratively






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






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






25. A timely event covered by journalists as it happens






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






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






28. A page distributed by public relations practitioners highlighting key data about a product - project or event






29. A newsgathering office separate from the main newsroom.






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






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






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






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






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






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






36. Factual coverage of serious events






37. A self-employed writer who sells stories to publications






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






39. A graphic device that labels regularly appearing material






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






41. Words the introduce some element in a broadcast news story






42. The area or subject that a reporter is responsible for covering. (topic - institution - location)






43. Associated Press - a worldwide news-gathering cooperative






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






45. Tired cliches that are recycled by lazy reporters






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






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






48. Gathering information for a news story from a group of online readers






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






50. To question or investigate in depth