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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. Commas replace (headlines)
objective
and
linking verb and past participle
short headline - really big - draws attention

2. Restrictive modifier
limits meaning of sentence
what pronoun refers to
set off phrase usually set off by commas
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

3. Parallel structure
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
what pronoun refers to
make sure lists have same type of speech
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice

4. Who - He/she
nominative
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
make sure lists have same type of speech
straight news stories

5. Objective case
limits meaning of sentence
technical language - don't use
used for direct and indirect objects
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

6. en dash
separate numbers
hiding verb as another part of speech
3
used as modifying

7. Headline rules

8. Smother verb (example)
technical language - don't use
make sure lists have same type of speech
Make decision = decide
3

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

10. Side-saddle head
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
appears to left of story

11. Max sentence length
25 words
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
technical language - don't use

12. Types of headlines
used as modifying
technical language - don't use
hookers - lookers
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

13. Hammer head
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
what pronoun refers to
short headline - really big - draws attention
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb

14. Squinting modifiers
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

15. Noun strings
Make decision = decide
hiding verb as another part of speech
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
used as modifying

16. Functions of headline

17. Four rules of subjunctive case
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
linking verb and past participle
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word

18. em dash
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
separate numbers
set off phrase usually set off by commas
Make decision = decide

19. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
3
objective
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
go above main headline

20. How to break sentence
3
used as modifying
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
straight news stories

21. Hookers

22. Kicker heads
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
go above main headline
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
3

23. Antecedent
what pronoun refers to
go above main headline
make sure lists have same type of speech
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice

24. Drop heads
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
hookers - lookers
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand

25. Possessive case
used as modifying
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
objective
Make decision = decide

26. Whom - Him/her
objective
hiding verb as another part of speech
appears to left of story
never

27. Use of he/she
linking verb and past participle
never
25 words
grabs readers' attention

28. Smother verbs
never
hiding verb as another part of speech
short headline - really big - draws attention
25 words

29. Straightforward headline
typical - normal everyday headline
kicker head without a verb
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
appears to left of story

30. Jargon

31. Dangling modifiers
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
FANBOYS
limits meaning of sentence
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

32. Nonrestrictive modifier
appears to left of story
hookers - lookers
restrictive clause
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

33. Passive voice
and
linking verb and past participle
25 words
set off phrase usually set off by commas

34. Lookers
used as modifying
straight news stories
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

35. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
hiding verb as another part of speech
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
objective

36. That
restrictive clause
go above main headline
appears to left of story
objective

37. Use commas with (what words)
short headline - really big - draws attention
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
FANBOYS
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives

38. Label head
set off phrase usually set off by commas
kicker head without a verb
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
used for direct and indirect objects

39. Nominative case
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
hookers - lookers
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives