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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. Use commas with (what words)
and
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
Make decision = decide
FANBOYS

2. Dangling modifiers
short headline - really big - draws attention
Make decision = decide
never
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

3. Straightforward headline
set off phrase usually set off by commas
typical - normal everyday headline
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

4. Four rules of subjunctive case
Make decision = decide
hookers - lookers
hiding verb as another part of speech
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand

5. Parallel structure
and
make sure lists have same type of speech
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
nominative

6. Lookers
objective
straight news stories
nominative
kicker head without a verb

7. Jargon
technical language - don't use
go above main headline
linking verb and past participle
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives

8. Possessive case
technical language - don't use
objective
used as modifying
straight news stories

9. That
what pronoun refers to
restrictive clause
nominative
short headline - really big - draws attention

10. Passive voice
short headline - really big - draws attention
grabs readers' attention
linking verb and past participle
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver

11. Hookers
grabs readers' attention
and
make sure lists have same type of speech
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

12. Noun strings
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
typical - normal everyday headline
FANBOYS
make sure lists have same type of speech

13. Nonrestrictive modifier
restrictive clause
short headline - really big - draws attention
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
typical - normal everyday headline

14. en dash
appears to left of story
Make decision = decide
separate numbers
make sure lists have same type of speech

15. Hammer head
short headline - really big - draws attention
appears to left of story
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
set off phrase usually set off by commas

16. Smother verbs
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
short headline - really big - draws attention
hiding verb as another part of speech
technical language - don't use

17. How to break sentence
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
separate numbers
restrictive clause
go above main headline

18. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
linking verb and past participle
grabs readers' attention
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

19. Objective case
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
used for direct and indirect objects
and
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

20. Hints something needs editing
make sure lists have same type of speech
FANBOYS
what pronoun refers to
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice

21. em dash
hiding verb as another part of speech
set off phrase usually set off by commas
hookers - lookers
go above main headline

22. Max sentence length
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
what pronoun refers to
25 words
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it

23. Types of headlines
hookers - lookers
restrictive clause
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice

24. Squinting modifiers
25 words
straight news stories
used as modifying
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word

25. Label head
hiding verb as another part of speech
make sure lists have same type of speech
hookers - lookers
kicker head without a verb

26. Commas replace (headlines)
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
never
straight news stories
and

27. Nominative case
technical language - don't use
25 words
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
restrictive clause

28. Drop heads
used for direct and indirect objects
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
kicker head without a verb
Make decision = decide

29. Use of he/she
grabs readers' attention
never
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
restrictive clause

30. Headline rules
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
objective
restrictive clause
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

31. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
what pronoun refers to
objective
3
25 words

32. Smother verb (example)
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
technical language - don't use
Make decision = decide
typical - normal everyday headline

33. Whom - Him/her
what pronoun refers to
make sure lists have same type of speech
objective
grabs readers' attention

34. Antecedent
and
appears to left of story
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
what pronoun refers to

35. Restrictive modifier
restrictive clause
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
limits meaning of sentence
linking verb and past participle

36. Functions of headline
go above main headline
25 words
objective
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

37. Kicker heads
used as modifying
25 words
go above main headline
and

38. Who - He/she
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
used for direct and indirect objects
nominative
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

39. Side-saddle head
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
go above main headline
typical - normal everyday headline
appears to left of story

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News Copy Editing

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