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. Who - He/she
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
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
make sure lists have same type of speech

2. Straightforward headline
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
typical - normal everyday headline
Make decision = decide
go above main headline

3. Nonrestrictive modifier
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
used for direct and indirect objects
used as modifying
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives

4. Side-saddle head
appears to left of story
Make decision = decide
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
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

5. Squinting modifiers
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
grabs readers' attention
limits meaning of sentence
straight news stories

6. Functions of headline

7. Lookers
used for direct and indirect objects
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
linking verb and past participle
straight news stories

8. Smother verbs
technical language - don't use
hiding verb as another part of speech
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
restrictive clause

9. em dash
set off phrase usually set off by commas
restrictive clause
separate numbers
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

10. Passive voice
nominative
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

11. en dash
make sure lists have same type of speech
hookers - lookers
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
separate numbers

12. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
nominative
25 words
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

13. Use commas with (what words)
25 words
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
technical language - don't use
FANBOYS

14. Objective case
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
used for direct and indirect objects
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

15. Jargon

16. Nominative case
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
set off phrase usually set off by commas
3

17. How to break sentence
3
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
nominative

18. Commas replace (headlines)
kicker head without a verb
make sure lists have same type of speech
and
technical language - don't use

19. Dangling modifiers
and
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
grabs readers' attention

20. Possessive case
used as modifying
go above main headline
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
Make decision = decide

21. Label head
kicker head without a verb
hiding verb as another part of speech
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
go above main headline

22. Hammer head
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
separate numbers
set off phrase usually set off by commas
short headline - really big - draws attention

23. Antecedent
3
objective
what pronoun refers to
technical language - don't use

24. Four rules of subjunctive case
technical language - don't use
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

25. Restrictive modifier
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
short headline - really big - draws attention
limits meaning of sentence

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

27. Hookers

28. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
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
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
3
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it

29. Smother verb (example)
Make decision = decide
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
FANBOYS
used for direct and indirect objects

30. That
restrictive clause
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
3

31. Types of headlines
hookers - lookers
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
short headline - really big - draws attention
objective

32. Whom - Him/her
objective
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
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
grabs readers' attention

33. Noun strings
25 words
straight news stories
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
technical language - don't use

34. Use of he/she
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
3
never

35. Drop heads
grabs readers' attention
linking verb and past participle
typical - normal everyday headline
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it

36. Hints something needs editing
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it

37. Headline rules

38. Parallel structure
hiding verb as another part of speech
make sure lists have same type of speech
never
objective

39. Kicker heads
set off phrase usually set off by commas
used as modifying
appears to left of story
go above main headline