Test your basic knowledge |

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. Squinting modifiers
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
go above main headline
grabs readers' attention

2. Noun strings
separate numbers
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
grabs readers' attention
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

3. en dash
separate numbers
short headline - really big - draws attention
typical - normal everyday headline
technical language - don't use

4. Four rules of subjunctive case
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

5. Who - He/she
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
limits meaning of sentence
nominative
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

6. Smother verbs
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
set off phrase usually set off by commas
hiding verb as another part of speech
hookers - lookers

7. Use of he/she
never
short headline - really big - draws attention
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word

8. Antecedent
what pronoun refers to
straight news stories
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives

9. Nonrestrictive modifier
typical - normal everyday headline
3
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
grabs readers' attention

10. Functions of headline

11. Passive voice
go above main headline
linking verb and past participle
hiding verb as another part of speech
FANBOYS

12. Use commas with (what words)
restrictive clause
FANBOYS
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
hiding verb as another part of speech

13. Drop heads
hookers - lookers
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
never

14. Hammer head
used for direct and indirect objects
typical - normal everyday headline
short headline - really big - draws attention
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

15. em dash
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
set off phrase usually set off by commas
FANBOYS
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives

16. That
restrictive clause
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
25 words
hiding verb as another part of speech

17. Lookers
typical - normal everyday headline
straight news stories
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
used as modifying

18. Jargon

19. Dangling modifiers
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
and
technical language - don't use

20. Nominative case
3
hookers - lookers
restrictive clause
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb

21. Headline rules

22. Whom - Him/her
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
objective
restrictive clause
short headline - really big - draws attention

23. Hookers

24. Possessive case
restrictive clause
separate numbers
used as modifying
25 words

25. Objective case
nominative
FANBOYS
used for direct and indirect objects
3

26. Smother verb (example)
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
used for direct and indirect objects
Make decision = decide
linking verb and past participle

27. Parallel structure
nominative
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
make sure lists have same type of speech

28. How to break sentence
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
straight news stories
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver

29. Hints something needs editing
straight news stories
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it

30. Max sentence length
restrictive clause
25 words
set off phrase usually set off by commas
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

31. Types of headlines
make sure lists have same type of speech
Make decision = decide
hookers - lookers
hiding verb as another part of speech

32. Kicker heads
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
kicker head without a verb
go above main headline

33. Restrictive modifier
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
straight news stories
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
limits meaning of sentence

34. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
3
restrictive clause
what pronoun refers to
linking verb and past participle

35. Side-saddle head
make sure lists have same type of speech
appears to left of story
never
nominative

36. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
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
restrictive clause
grabs readers' attention

37. Label head
nominative
kicker head without a verb
separate numbers
grabs readers' attention

38. Straightforward headline
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
typical - normal everyday headline
kicker head without a verb
and

39. Commas replace (headlines)
limits meaning of sentence
go above main headline
hookers - lookers
and