News Copy Editing

Instructions:

• Answer 39 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. Objective case
used as modifying
3
typical - normal everyday headline
used for direct and indirect objects


2. Straightforward headline
separate numbers
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits
typical - normal everyday headline
short headline - really big - draws attention


3. Functions of headline


4. Hints something needs editing
kicker head without a verb
nominative
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver


5. Nominative case
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
3
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
technical language - don't use


6. Parallel structure
hookers - lookers
make sure lists have same type of speech
3
what pronoun refers to


7. Types of headlines
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
hookers - lookers
objective
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person


8. Antecedent
what pronoun refers to
restrictive clause
separate numbers
grabs readers' attention


9. Lookers
used for direct and indirect objects
grabs readers' attention
straight news stories
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver


10. Max sentence length
25 words
used as modifying
set off phrase usually set off by commas
technical language - don't use


11. Dangling modifiers
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
typical - normal everyday headline
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
go above main headline


12. That
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
set off phrase usually set off by commas
restrictive clause


13. Headline rules


14. Side-saddle head
and
appears to left of story
typical - normal everyday headline
hookers - lookers


15. Smother verbs
used as modifying
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
hiding verb as another part of speech
short headline - really big - draws attention


16. How to break sentence
make sure lists have same type of speech
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
appears to left of story
kicker head without a verb


17. Four rules of subjunctive case
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
used for direct and indirect objects
restrictive clause
short headline - really big - draws attention


18. Kicker heads
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
go above main headline
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits


19. Hammer head
hiding verb as another part of speech
short headline - really big - draws attention
objective
FANBOYS


20. Commas replace (headlines)
kicker head without a verb
and
appears to left of story
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice


21. Noun strings
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
make sure lists have same type of speech
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
straight news stories


22. em dash
set off phrase usually set off by commas
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
3
limits meaning of sentence


23. Who - He/she
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits
nominative
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word


24. Use of he/she
and
never
kicker head without a verb
nominative


25. Hookers


26. Label head
hiding verb as another part of speech
separate numbers
never
kicker head without a verb


27. Squinting modifiers
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
3


28. Restrictive modifier
and
separate numbers
limits meaning of sentence
restrictive clause


29. Smother verb (example)
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
objective
Make decision = decide
hookers - lookers


30. Possessive case
straight news stories
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
used as modifying
used for direct and indirect objects


31. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
grabs readers' attention
3
Make decision = decide
and


32. Use commas with (what words)
hookers - lookers
FANBOYS
3
hiding verb as another part of speech


33. Whom - Him/her
Make decision = decide
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
objective
make sure lists have same type of speech


34. Drop heads
used for direct and indirect objects
appears to left of story
linking verb and past participle
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it


35. Passive voice
linking verb and past participle
restrictive clause
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
kicker head without a verb


36. en dash
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
nominative
separate numbers


37. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
used as modifying
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article


38. Jargon


39. Nonrestrictive modifier
linking verb and past participle
3
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
nominative