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. Label head
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
typical - normal everyday headline
kicker head without a verb
grabs readers' attention

2. Nonrestrictive modifier
linking verb and past participle
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

3. Max sentence length
kicker head without a verb
used for direct and indirect objects
25 words
appears to left of story

4. Antecedent
what pronoun refers to
restrictive clause
set off phrase usually set off by commas
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb

5. Straightforward headline
never
go above main headline
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
typical - normal everyday headline

6. Lookers
technical language - don't use
straight news stories
never
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it

7. Kicker heads
25 words
FANBOYS
go above main headline
3

8. Hookers

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9. Smother verb (example)
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
Make decision = decide
FANBOYS

10. Smother verbs
hiding verb as another part of speech
straight news stories
separate numbers
Make decision = decide

11. em dash
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
objective
set off phrase usually set off by commas
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

12. Nominative case
straight news stories
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
and
25 words

13. Headline rules

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14. Drop heads
set off phrase usually set off by commas
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
never
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it

15. Side-saddle head
hookers - lookers
appears to left of story
straight news stories
short headline - really big - draws attention

16. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
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
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
never

17. Four rules of subjunctive case
used as modifying
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
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice

18. Possessive case
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
restrictive clause
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
used as modifying

19. Functions of headline

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20. Use of he/she
set off phrase usually set off by commas
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
never
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

21. Whom - Him/her
objective
and
appears to left of story
Make decision = decide

22. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
limits meaning of sentence
separate numbers
3
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

23. Hammer head
used for direct and indirect objects
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
short headline - really big - draws attention
hiding verb as another part of speech

24. Commas replace (headlines)
objective
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
and
3

25. Hints something needs editing
used for direct and indirect objects
nominative
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives

26. Jargon

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27. Dangling modifiers
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
grabs readers' attention
limits meaning of sentence
short headline - really big - draws attention

28. Restrictive modifier
what pronoun refers to
typical - normal everyday headline
short headline - really big - draws attention
limits meaning of sentence

29. Use commas with (what words)
go above main headline
3
FANBOYS
technical language - don't use

30. Squinting modifiers
make sure lists have same type of speech
kicker head without a verb
grabs readers' attention
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word

31. Passive voice
straight news stories
used as modifying
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
linking verb and past participle

32. en dash
25 words
what pronoun refers to
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
separate numbers

33. Objective case
separate numbers
set off phrase usually set off by commas
used for direct and indirect objects
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

34. How to break sentence
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
straight news stories
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
kicker head without a verb

35. That
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
grabs readers' attention
go above main headline

36. Who - He/she
linking verb and past participle
what pronoun refers to
25 words
nominative

37. Types of headlines
objective
hookers - lookers
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
used as modifying

38. Parallel structure
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
used for direct and indirect objects
Make decision = decide
make sure lists have same type of speech

39. Noun strings
linking verb and past participle
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives