Journalism
"Hard" and "soft" news are relative terms that describe both the topic and treatment of a story. Which of the following topics could go either way?
"Mayor's Daughter Chosen Top Model for National Bridal Show"
Law enforcement can always obtain a search warrant to raid a reporter's home or newsroom to get information the reporter has learned from a source involved in a crime.(True or False)
F
Most Web logs, or blogs, dispense only factual information.(True or False)
F
Open meetings laws are uniform in all states across the nation.(True or False)
F
Reporters should avoid feature story ideas already used by their competitors.(True or False)
F
Reporters should use kilometers, rather than miles, to encourage switching over to the metric system.(True or False)
F
Researching a complicated issue too much can lead to a confusing story with too many details.(True or False)
F
Sedition is failure to obey a lawful order.(True or False)
F
The First Amendment does NOT apply to publications at private colleges.(True or False)
F
The best reviewers write with a critical voice that speaks to aficionados rather than to ordinary readers.(True or False)
F
The body of your story should progress in a logical way, so it is not necessary to provide a beginning and ending to your feature.(True or False)
F
The past tense is preferred for music or drama reviews.(True or False)
F
Tomorrow's readers will have longer attention spans and be less distracted. They will be more tolerant of the long, detailed stories where reporters provide a multitude of information.(True or False)
F
Using a playful tone on a serious issue is acceptable in a feature story.(True or False)
F
Web sites are not covered by government copyright protections.(True or False)
F
When writing profiles, it is best NOT to contact your subject until you have a detailed draft of your story.(True or False)
F
You think you have a good idea for a feature story. You should complete the story before talking to your editor.(True or False)
F
Your editors will likely object if you use slang, contractions or sentence fragments in a feature story, just as they would for a news story.(True or False)
F
A sidebar is any short feature that is included inside a longer story.(True or False)
False
Ben Franklin published the first newspaper in America.(True or False)
False
Female reporters are gutsy, idealistic, beautiful and single; male reporters are surly, cynical loners who lie, cheat and ruin peoples' lives to get a juicy scoop. (True or False)
False
It is acceptable to distort the news in opinion columns.(True or False)
False
Newspaper photos are usually NOT shot by staff photographers.(True or False)
False
One effective way to emphasize a series of items in a news story is to add italics.(True or False)
False
Reporters should always use tape recorders to make sure their stories are accurate.(True or False)
False
Reporters should strive to use passive verbs to make their writing more interesting.(True or False)
False
The Associated Press Stylebook is used by every major newspaper in the U.S.(True or False)
False
The author of your text suggests that you use familiar clichés frequently in order to help your reader relate to your story.(True or False)
False
The flag is the front page lead headline.(True or False)
False
The inverted pyramid formula should always be your first choice in newswriting.(True or False)
False
Using "journalese" is a way reporters can explain their stories so the reader can better understand.(True or False)
False
When writing a complex story, it is best to avoid using maps, diagrams and photos.(True or False)
False
Yellow journalism refers to the color of paper used for a newspaper.(True or False)
False
Which of the following is NOT part of a news story?
Nameline
"He is currently president of the club" and "true facts" are examples of redundancy and repetition that should be avoided.(True or False)
True
A skybox is a teaser.(True or False)
True
Anecdotal feedback is one research method used to gauge which stories strike a chord with sources, friends and colleagues.(True or False)
True
Every good news story needs a beginning, middle and end.(True or False)
True
In his newspaper, The World, publisher Joseph Pulitzer launched courageous crusades against corruption in government and business in the early 1900s.(True or False)
True
In newspapers, stories are measured in inches.(True or False)
True
Mark Twain developed his writing style as a newspaper reporter.(True or False)
True
Some of the earliest newsletters were published more than 2,000 years ago.(True or False)
True
Stories that involve well-known figures are interesting to readers.(True or False)
True
Subheads break long stories into short, accessible chunks.(True or False)
True
The Missouri Gazette was the first newspaper published west of the Mississippi.(True or False)
True
The first photo printed in a newspaper appeared as recently as 1880.(True or False)
True
The inverted pyramid style of newspaper writing made stories tighter and newsier.(True or False)
True
The modern journalist's job boils down to teaching and storytelling.(True or False)
True
The news business has always been an important part of American history.(True or False)
True
The online editor works with other editors and reporters to develop material for the Web site.(True or False)
True
"On the record" means the reporter's source agrees that anything said during the interview can be printed.(True or False)
T
Appropriation is the unauthorized use of someone's name, photo or words to endorse or sell a product or service.(True or False)
T
Attributing facts and opinions to their sources shows readers that you are reporting what's been said and that you are not just saying it yourself.(True or False)
T
Bias is all right when used in editorials.(True or False)
T
Enterprise projects are ambitious and unique and may require weeks or even months of research.(True or False)
T
Even major newspapers need many of the hundreds of news releases they receive daily.(True or False)
T
Feature stories require the same degree of accuracy, fairness and attention to detail as news stories.(True or False)
T
Human-interest stories should set the scene, describe the characters and capture the mood.(True or False)
T
If a statement is considered common knowledge, it doesn't require attribution.(True or False)
T
In editorials, columns and reviews, the writer's opinions are not just allowed, they're encouraged.(True or False)
T
It is the investigative journalist's job to monitor the conduct and misconduct of government and business, the rich and powerful.(True or False)
T
Libel is publishing or broadcasting a false statement that maliciously or carelessly damages someone's reputation or holds them up to public scorn.(True or False)
T
Lists, quizzes, diagrams, timelines and quote collections are all good short-form story structures.(True or False)
T
Most reporters prefer spiral-bound notebooks for their story notes.(True or False)
T
News stories are written in the past tense, but feature stories are often written in the present tense.(True or False)
T
Plagiarism can be avoided by providing your sources.(True or False)
T
Reporters should round off statistic(True or False)s to make them easier to understand.
T
The advantage of typing notes is that it's the fastest way to turn your notes into a story.(True or False)
T
Trespassing could, in some cases, be called Failure to Obey a Lawful Order.(True or False)
T
Using details to set the scene and describe people's actions and appearances can be effective in bringing your readers into the action.(True or False)
T
When quoting someone's question, put the question mark inside the quotation marks.(True or False)
T
Writing in-depth profiles requires time and research. Which of the following statements is NOT true of writing profiles?
To avoid bias in your writing, it is best not to interview the subject personally.
Generally, which of the following is NOT one of the best defenses against libel?
bias
Reporters frequently use all of the following to present information EXCEPT:
matrix charts
As a journalist, your job is to monitor and explain the things that:
matter most to your readers.
In statistical representations, the ________ is a simple arithmetic average.
mean
Newsgroups are:
online bulletin boards organized by topic.
The average reader spends more than an hour a day with a newspaper.
false
The copy desk chief assigns and edits most of the paper's local "hard news" stories.(True or False)
false
The __________ assigns and edits all the stories running in the paper's features section.
features editor
A photo credit:
is a line under a photo, giving the photographer's name. usually tells who the photographer works for. doesn't always name a specific photographer from a news service such as the Associated Press.
Which of the following is NOT one of the privileges protecting reporters when they publish their work?
libel privilege
In statistical representations, the _________ is the halfway point, the middle number in a series.
median
Which of the following is NOT necessary in writing a good lead?
naming all the people involved
Which of the following would you NOT do when planning a great feature?
plan your story as close to publishing time as possible
Which of the following is NOT on your author's list of seven elements that make a story interesting to readers and qualify as "news"?
preference Seven elements: Novelty, Prominence, Emotion, Impact, Conflict, Immediacy, Proximity
Which of the following would you NOT use as part of a short-form feature story structure?
segueing paragraphs of text logically from one item/idea to another
Which of the following should be used for quoted statements inside other quoted statements?
single quotation marks
Bias is:
slanting a story by manipulating facts to sway readers' opinions.
Who gets sued in cases of libel?
usually, the publication
Intrusion may involve trespass, misrepresentation and libel.(True or False)
F
It is okay to use the name Coca-Cola to describe any soft drink.(True or False)
F
Quoting another person's words with attribution is not appropriate.(True or False)
.F
Which of the following is a good example of a basic news lead?
A Bedford man escaped injury Saturday after falling 30 feet from a third-floor window at the Hotel Lux.
Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestick was:
America's first newspaper.
The __________ is a phrase that tells readers the source of a quote or of information used in a news story.
Attribution
Which of the following is a good example of a startling statement lead?
Before Susan Lee survived being hit by a tractor trailer and flung off Jamestown Bridge in icy waters, she hadn't been in the news much.
The first newspaper cartoon in America was published by:
Ben Franklin in his Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754.
Which of the following is NOT a fictional character?
Bob Woodward
A photo credit is a line that rarely gives the specific photographer's name.(True or False)
False
An outline is useful when writing a news story, but trusting your stream of thought is a more efficient way to write a feature story.(True or False)
F
Which of the following is NOT one of the elements of a reporter's basic hardware?
Camera, Tape Recorder, Notebook
Breach of contract applies only in the case of a written contract.(True or False)
F
Colons, semicolons and dashes go inside quotation marks.(True or False)
F
Feature stories usually focus on events that are timely and public.(True or False)
F
Features often use the inverted pyramid structure.(True or False)
F
For a reporter, fabrication is important only in certain instances.(True or False)
F
A __________ is a sub-headline, written by copy editors, that supplements information in the main headline.
Deck
What would be BAD advice to give someone who is writing a review?
Don't be afraid to show your personal biases. This is opinion writing after all.
Which of the following topics needs more focus?
Egypt
"On deep background" information is attributed to a source.(True or False)
F
All 50 states have shield laws that protect reporters by preserving the confidentiality of their notes and sources.(True or False)
F
In preparing for an interview, it is seldom necessary to prepare questions in advance.(True or False)
F
General assignment reporters cover a specific, narrow range of stories about one or two topics.(True or False)
False...
Which of the following is a good example of a direct address lead?
If you have been waiting for a chance to get that rose tattoo without enduring the pain, you're in luck.
To rethink, revise and rewrite your lead, you need NOT ask yourself:
Is it dramatic?
Asking yourself which the following questions would NOT help you tell if your story idea is a good one?
Is it timely?
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using a tape recorder in an interview?
It forces the interview subject to tell the truth.
Which of the following is NOT a requirement of a good news story?
It must be dramatic
A(n) __________ gives the location of the continuation of a story from the front page.
Jump line
Which of the following suggestions can help you write a successful feature story?
Keep it short.
The __________ is the opening of a story.
Lead
Which of the following is true of libel?
Libel is publishing or broadcasting a false statement that maliciously or carelessly damages someone's reputation.
Which of the following is NOT a good tip to follow in Internet research?
Make keywords as general as possible.
Which of the following writers started out as a newspaper reporter?
Mark Twain Hunter S. Thompson Ernest Hemingway
Which of the following is NOT part of the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists?
Never act independently.
Which of the following is NOT a trademark?
Photocopy
Which of the following is NOT a common trait of newspaper readers?
Readers prefer lengthier articles
Which of the following is a disadvantage of conducting an interview in person?
Setting up the meeting and the travel and waiting involved may be very time-consuming.
Which of the following statements is NOT a criterion for libel?
Statements do not necessarily have to be published.
The centerpiece is also called:
The lead story
Which of the following is a good example of a blind lead?
The most important information sought after by dental companies today has nothing to do with tooth decay, gum disease or dental education
How have newspapers changed in the past few years to compete with Internet news sources?
They are more tightly written. They are better formatted. They are better designed.
Using the inverted pyramid doesn't always organize the story logically.(True or False)
True
With a cell phone, you can pester people you are trying to interview.(True or False)
True
Which of the following is NOT one of the tips the author gives you for ending a story?
Try to surprise the reader with your ending.
Which of the following would NOT be good advice for getting the information you need for investigative reporting?
Wait until the police and lawyers have had a chance to talk to your sources or potential sources before you interview those sources.
What would an effective columnist consider BAD advice?
You can base your opinions on reading previously printed stories. Columnists don't have to do their own reporting or interviewing.
Which of the following is TRUE when writing reviews of movies, plays, books etc.?
You should criticize the performance, not the performer's appearance, personal life, political views, etc.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic elements of investigative reporting?
You should have an agenda that helps set the direction of the investigation.
All the President's Men is:
a book by two reporters about their exposé of the Watergate scandal in TheWashington Post.
Enterprise projects are special stories that reach beyond the ordinary. Which of the following is NOT an example of an enterprise story?
a detailed look at how a fire department decides what vehicles to send to an alarm
To emphasize the "what" angle in a news story, which of the following might the lead include?
a serious traffic jam
Yellow journalism refers to:
a style of newspaper using loud headlines, sensational stories, and lavish pictures, often faked.
To evaluate a Web site's reliability, you should consider its:
accuracy, authority, objectivity and timeliness.
Which of the following is NOT an important part of package planning your feature?
an assembly-line process
When editing a quote, use __________ to indicate deleted words, phrases or sentences.
an ellipsis (...)
Which of the following does NOT involve intrusion?
appropriation
During an interview, you should do all of the following EXCEPT:
avoid asking the interviewee dumb questions.
To write an effective editorial, which of the following should you NOT do?
be a bully when necessary
Short-form alternatives condense data into easy-to-read formats. Which of the following lists includes a plan that is NOT considered a short-form alternative format?
bio box, inverted pyramid, diagram
Which of the following is NOT a common category that a feature would fall into at most publications?
breaking news
A ____________ is a short news story that has personality and provides comic relief.
brite
Copyright is:
government-approved protection for all forms of creative expression.
Reporters should:
carry an extra battery for their camera. take a formal typing class. learn the laws in their state governing the taping of conversations.
Which of the following are normally NOT in the newsroom of a major newspaper?
circulation managers
The __________ assigns and edits most of the paper's local "hard news" stories.
city editor
"Open courtrooms" means that:
criminal trials must remain open to the media except for rare instances when an overriding interest justifies closure.
Slander is:
defamation that is spoken rather than printed.
The more sources you use, the better your reporting will be in terms of:
depth, context and reliability.
Which of the following are commonly used quote styles?
direct quote, paraphrase, partial quote, dialogue
An infographic:
displays key facts from a story in a visual way. at big papers is created by artists. at smaller papers is produced by editors or reporters.
Which of the following should be used at the beginning and end of direct quotes?
double quotation marks
The Penny Press refers to:
early American newspapers that sold for a penny a copy.
The __________ runs the newsroom and has the final say in story selection and news philosophy.
editor
News stories usually originate from all of the following EXCEPT:
events that are unknown to the news media.
Which of the following would NOT be an appropriate column topic?
football schedules
Opinion writing is NOT appropriate for which of the following?
hard news
The "who" gives news its:
humanity
Open records laws are:
in force for all federal agencies.
In broadcasting, how are stories measured?
in minutes and seconds
Beginning a news story with a compressed summary of important facts and adding more details in descending order of importance is called the __________ formula.
inverted pyramid
The "Fourth Estate" refers to:
journalism, or the news profession.
The __________ oversees the day-to-day operation of the newsroom, and resolves staffing issues.
managing editor
Fabrication is:
manufacturing or falsifying any facts, quotes, or events for a story.
A ________________ is an explanatory paragraph near the top of the story that summarizes what the story is about-or tells readers why they should care.
nut graf
Which of the following is NOT a convention for interviewing?
off background
Open meetings laws are:
often vague about what constitutes a "meeting."
In the 1960s Tom Wolfe dubbed his new feature-writing style "The New Journalism." Which of the following was NOT a literary technique that reporters of the time began borrowing from novelists?
over-dramatizing to make stories more interesting to read
Plagiarism is
passing off words or ideas of others as your own.
Shield laws:
protect reporters by preserving the confidentiality of their sources
Publishers hire market research consultants to study readers and determine what might sell more newspapers. Which of the following research methods do they NOT use?
personal interviews
Publicizing personal details may cause emotional distress if the material is:
private, intimate or offensive.
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of every reporter?
providing sources to other reporters
The __________ is the paper's ultimate boss, presiding over all departments to ensure profitability.
publisher
A reporter could be accused of sedition for:
publishing material too critical of government leaders or policies.
For which of the following could a reporter be held in contempt of court?
refusing to tell a judge the source of controversial material used in a story
Which of the following is NOT something the author of your text suggests doing as you move from paragraph to paragraph?
restating the topic sentence
The flag is:
set in a special typeface. the name of the paper. the one front-page element that never changes.
One of the earlier court cases involving freedom of the press in America was:
the Zenger case.
Which of the following is NOT a technique used by reporters to avoid plagiarism?
substituting different synonyms for key words in the original
Using the inverted pyramid formula for newswriting, you begin by:
summarizing the most important facts
Which of the following is NOT among the most common shapes for organizing a news story?
the champagne glass
Before publishing any poll results, you should consider:
the sample size, the question wording, and the source.
The Associated Press Stylebook is:
the ultimate desktop reference for print reporters and editors.
Using the inverted pyramid allows your editor to:
trim the story from the bottom up.
Beat reporters cover a specific topic.(True or False)
true
Most reporters say that in most newsrooms, writing feature stories or sports gets less respect than writing "real" news stories.(True or False)
true
Once stories are edited in the newsroom, they are sent on to copy editors and designers.(True or False)
true
Which of the following is NOT an Internet search engine that is used frequently by reporters?
www.govinfo.com