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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. That
restrictive clause
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

2. Whom - Him/her
linking verb and past participle
typical - normal everyday headline
appears to left of story
objective

3. Possessive case
set off phrase usually set off by commas
used as modifying
grabs readers' attention
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

4. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
typical - normal everyday headline
grabs readers' attention
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
separate numbers

5. Use commas with (what words)
linking verb and past participle
used for direct and indirect objects
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
FANBOYS

6. Smother verb (example)
hiding verb as another part of speech
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
make sure lists have same type of speech
Make decision = decide

7. Side-saddle head
3
appears to left of story
never
hookers - lookers

8. Straightforward headline
hookers - lookers
technical language - don't use
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
typical - normal everyday headline

9. Hints something needs editing
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
3
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
never

10. Four rules of subjunctive case
technical language - don't use
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand

11. Squinting modifiers
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
kicker head without a verb
objective

12. Who - He/she
nominative
linking verb and past participle
used as modifying
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

13. How to break sentence
and
hookers - lookers
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

14. Dangling modifiers
appears to left of story
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

15. Hookers

16. Lookers
technical language - don't use
and
straight news stories
limits meaning of sentence

17. Passive voice
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
used for direct and indirect objects
linking verb and past participle
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

18. Max sentence length
25 words
typical - normal everyday headline
restrictive clause
3

19. Headline rules

20. Smother verbs
go above main headline
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
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
hiding verb as another part of speech

21. Label head
25 words
kicker head without a verb
nominative
set off phrase usually set off by commas

22. Nominative case
used as modifying
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
short headline - really big - draws attention
typical - normal everyday headline

23. Drop heads
straight news stories
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
limits meaning of sentence
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word

24. Commas replace (headlines)
and
set off phrase usually set off by commas
used as modifying
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article

25. Nonrestrictive modifier
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
kicker head without a verb
separate numbers
limits meaning of sentence

26. Objective case
go above main headline
nominative
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
used for direct and indirect objects

27. em dash
set off phrase usually set off by commas
grabs readers' attention
Make decision = decide
3

28. Jargon

29. Restrictive modifier
hiding verb as another part of speech
separate numbers
limits meaning of sentence
make sure lists have same type of speech

30. Parallel structure
linking verb and past participle
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
make sure lists have same type of speech

31. Kicker heads
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
go above main headline
separate numbers

32. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
objective
make sure lists have same type of speech
Make decision = decide
3

33. Types of headlines
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
hookers - lookers
limits meaning of sentence
go above main headline

34. Antecedent
what pronoun refers to
appears to left of story
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
go above main headline

35. Use of he/she
kicker head without a verb
never
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
set off phrase usually set off by commas

36. Noun strings
restrictive clause
objective
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb

37. Hammer head
objective
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
short headline - really big - draws attention
never

38. en dash
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
FANBOYS
25 words
separate numbers

39. Functions of headline