JN 311 midterm

Which of these is a type of lead you should avoid writing?

crystal ball lead

A strong summary lead

is in subject-verb-object order.

A nut graph

is the paragraph that explains the main point of the story.

Which of the following works well for the ending of a profile? a. All of these choices. b. future action c. a quote d. a circle kicker

A. All of these choices. b. future action c. a quote d. a circle kicker

Which sentence is an example of passive voice?

The bicycle thief was sentenced to three years in jail

A soft lead is also called

a "feature lead."

If you use a summary lead that explains the focus or the main point of the story you don't need

a nut graph

What statement is most true about observation? a. Details from observation are more common in feature stories, but they also can enhance breaking news stories. b. It is rarely included in news stories, whether breaking news or features. c. If you videotape interviews, you can rely on the camera to make your observations for you. d. Observation is becoming less important as technology advances.

a. Details from observation are more common in feature stories, but they also can enhance breaking news stories.

How should you construct a story to keep readers' interest between the lead and the end? a. Follow long sentences with shorter ones. b. Use dialogue between two sources. c. Use parallel sentence construction. d. All of these choices

a. Follow long sentences with shorter ones. b. Use dialogue between two sources. c. Use parallel sentence construction. d. All of these choices

What mistake did Alan Richman make when trying to get Robert De Niro to agree to a personality profile interview for GQ? a. He didn't ask him a compelling question to engage him right away. b. He asked him a question about politics. c. He arrived late to the interview. d. All of these are mistakes Richman made in the De Niro interview.

a. He didn't ask him a compelling question to engage him right away.

What is most correct about tape recording an interview? a. It is legal in many states to record an interview you conduct without obtaining source consent, but most journalists consider that practice to be unethical. b. In all states, recording an interview is legal, but only if your source gives you permission. c. Recording interviews, even with source consent, is illegal in most states. d. Reporters should never record interviews because the government can subpoena the recordings.

a. It is legal in many states to record an interview you conduct without obtaining source consent, but most journalists consider that practice to be unethical.

Which structure for profiles has been growing in popularity, especially in print and on the Web? a. Q and A b. all of the above c. chronological order d. supporting themes

a. Q and A

In the case involving two Minnesota newspapers, what did the U.S. Supreme Court rule in regard to reporters who break promises of confidentiality? a. They are not protected by the First Amendment from being sued. b. They are protected by the First Amendment from being sued. c. This case never went to the U.S. Supreme Court. It stopped at the trial level. d. They are protected by the First Amendment from being sued only if the source is a public official.

a. They are not protected by the First Amendment from being sued.

How should you handle basic information in an interview? a. You should double-check all basic information, including title and spelling of a name, even if you've learned it from other sources before the interview. b. Don't waste time asking basics like title and spelling of a name because you can look these up on the Internet. c. You can assume that a spelling and title is correct on a business card that your source gives you. d. If you get the information about title and name from another person, you don't need to verify it with your source.

a. You should double-check all basic information, including title and spelling of a name, even if you've learned it from other sources before the interview.

When writing a focus sentence as a tool to help you select pertinent information, you should a. determine the most newsworthy, important or current information. b. All of these choices c. write a headline for your story in fewer than 10 words. d. express your focus as a tweet (Twitter post).

a. determine the most newsworthy, important or current information. b. All of these choices c. write a headline for your story in fewer than 10 words. d. express your focus as a tweet (Twitter post).

In an interview, reporters should a. let the source do most of the talking. b. focus on what they are planning to ask next and let the tape recorder gather what the source is saying. c. interrupt a source if he or she rambles or loses focus. d. stick to their list of prepared questions at all times to ensure that they've covered everything.

a. let the source do most of the talking.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) a. often requires that information is blacked out or cut out when records are released. b. was established at the same time as the First Amendment. c. never provides useful information because of the restrictions on what can be released. d. applies to all state and federal records.

a. often requires that information is blacked out or cut out when records are released.

Which is NOT a common way of organizing a story? a. parallel construction b. time sequence c. question and answer d. topics

a. parallel construction

What is the most common type of ending? a. quote kicker b. future action kicker c. cliffhanger kicker d. circle kicker

a. quote kicker

Jon Franklin, author of Writing for Story, says that good narrative stories a. should include complication and a resolution, with development in the middle. b. should focus mainly on the complications causing an event to happen. c. should focus mostly on the climax. d. never have a clear structure.

a. should include complication and a resolution, with development in the middle.

When writing a profile, the writer can help the reader understand the twists and turns of human life by including which of the following universal elements? a. turning points b. patterns c. looking toward the future d. all of the above

a. turning points b. patterns c. looking toward the future D. all of the above

Profiles should a. use a soft lead, like descriptive or anecdotal leads. b. only be written using the sections technique. c. always have a news lead. d. be organized in the inverted pyramid style.

a. use a soft lead, like descriptive or anecdotal leads.

The questions that elicit the most quotes and anecdotes start with all of the following EXCEPT a. when. b. why. c. how. d. what.

a. when

Cliffhanger endings a. work well with narrative writing, especially longer features. b. work well for most breaking news stories. c. should never be used on the Web. d. should not be used for stories arranged in sections.

a. work well with narrative writing, especially longer features.

"Off the record" means that a. you may not use information from the source even if you don't identify the person. b. you may use the information if you identify the person only with a vague description, such as "a high-ranking official." c. you can use the information in a story if you make up a name for the source. d. you may not use the information in print, but you can use it online or in digital form (that way, it's not part of the "printed record").

a. you may not use information from the source even if you don't identify the person.

A lead that starts with a story about a person or event is

an anecdotal lead

Choose the sentence that uses the correct style. a. A mass of Christian Burial will celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. b. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. c. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. d. A mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

b. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

How should a reporter prepare to cover a meeting? a. Make sure that you understand the system and the authority that the board or council has. b. All of these are things that reporters should do to prepare to cover a meeting. c. Get the agenda. d. Talk to key players and get background on the issues.

b. All of these are things that reporters should do to prepare to cover a meeting.

When can the focus of a story change? a. Only before the interviews begin. b. It can change before, during and after the reporting and drafting process as more information comes to light. c. The focus should never change once the writer has conceived of it. d. Only if an editor approves a change in writing.

b. It can change before, during and after the reporting and drafting process as more information comes to light.

How should you deal with addresses in obituaries? a. Never include a place of residence in an obituary. b. List the current city in which the person lived and include other places where he or she lived for long periods of time. c. List the place the person lived when he or she died, but do not include past cities of residence. d. If you are writing for broadcast, you must include a specific address.

b. List the current city in which the person lived and include other places where he or she lived for long periods of time.

What does parallelism mean when writing news stories? a. Sentences are written with most of the same words. b. Sentences are worded in the same grammatical order. c. Sentences are repeated for emphasis throughout the story. d. Sentences are placed next to each other in a graphic box.

b. Sentences are worded in the same grammatical order.

The Associated Press says what about using sources found on social media? a. It is not necessary to verify information found on social media if it comes from an established organization or official source. b. Social networks should not be used as a reporting shortcut when you can get the information by picking up the phone or knocking on a door instead. c. You should never use sources found on social media. d. Checking the validity of sources found on social media is easy, so it's ideal for deadline reporting.

b. Social networks should not be used as a reporting shortcut when you can get the information by picking up the phone or knocking on a door instead.

Choose the sentence that uses the correct style. a. Pastor James Flanagan is the priest at the Roman Catholic Church in our town. b. The Rev. James Flanagan is the priest at the Roman Catholic Church in our town. c. Father James Flanagan is the priest at the roman catholic church in our town. d. Rev. James Flanagan is the priest at the roman catholic church in our town.

b. The Rev. James Flanagan is the priest at the Roman Catholic Church in our town.

What is the most serious problem with this lead from a meeting story: "The Springfield City Council met Tuesday to discuss several issues."? a. The lead does not include where the meeting took place. b. The lead should focus on what the council did, not that it met. c. "City Council" should not be capitalized. d. Meeting stories should always use a feature lead, not a summary lead.

b. The lead should focus on what the council did, not that it met.

In narrative writing, social media a. invite people to lie and make up stories because many sites have anonymous sources. b. can help enhance your reporting and engage your audience. c. should be avoided unless they are the only places you can find information. d. are not good places to share serious stories because the tone is too dark.

b. can help enhance your reporting and engage your audience.

Janet Cooke's Pulitzer Prize was returned because she was found to have ________ in her story about Jimmy. a. used unreliable sources b. fabricated information c. plagiarized d. used Jimmy's real name after promising confidentiality

b. fabricated information

Which is NOT a type of kicker discussed in the book? a. circle kicker b. highlight kicker c. out of gas kicker d. climax kicker

b. highlight kicker

The theme of a narrative story a. should be used at the end of the story for dramatic effect. b. is what gives the story meaning. c. All of these are characteristics of a narrative story theme. d. is like a nut graph, stating what the news is.

b. is what gives the story meaning.

Reporting for a feature story differs from reporting for a hard-news story in that a. you typically spend less time with sources than for a hard-news story. b. it is essential for the reporter to pay more attention to scenes, images and sensory elements. c. it is not necessary to gather as many facts as a hard-news story requires. d. it is generally acceptable to conduct interviews for feature stories over the phone or by email because they carry less weight than hard news.

b. it is essential for the reporter to pay more attention to scenes, images and sensory elements.

Charles Kuralt said that a good broadcast human-interest story a. was impossible to write because the medium of television didn't lend itself to human-interest stories. b. relied mostly on visuals, with a script that complemented the video. c. had the same elements as a newspaper story. d. was dependent on a colorful script more than visuals.

b. relied mostly on visuals, with a script that complemented the video.

The best questions in interviews are a. in-depth and cover multiple issues to engage the source. b. short and focused on one topic. c. confrontational to elicit an emotional response. d. ones that start with a long observation before the reporter asks the question.

b. short and focused on one topic.

When covering a meeting, reporters should do all of the following EXCEPT a. arrive early and make sure you know who the officials are. b. stay seated at the press table throughout so you do not miss anything. c. stay until the very end in case new business comes up that's newsworthy. d. check the agenda and the consent agenda to ensure that they know what will be discussed.

b. stay seated at the press table throughout so you do not miss anything.

What is a theme in a profile story? a. the reason you are writing about a person now b. the angle or recurring idea that weaves throughout the story c. the reason the person is newsworthy d. the focus of the story, included in the nut graph

b. the angle or recurring idea that weaves throughout the story

When writing a profile, you should interview a. no one. Most profiles are based on résumés, press releases and past news articles, not on interviews. b. the subject and as many other relevant people that you can, even though you may not be able to use them all in the story. c. only people you plan to quote in the story—three sources maximum. d. only the person you plan to profile.

b. the subject and as many other relevant people that you can, even though you may not be able to use them all in the story.

When should you use lists? a. when there is not enough information for a complete paragraph b. to itemize information that would otherwise be cumbersome c. when you quote many sources in a row d. to break up long, boring passages in a story

b. to itemize information that would otherwise be cumbersome

Jim Nicholson, a former reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News, thought that obituaries should be a. always written in hard-news style. b. true portraits of people's lives, including bad habits and criminal background, if relevant. c. flattering portraits of the person's life to celebrate the positive. d. brief and to the point—name, age, occupation and place and date of death.

b. true portraits of people's lives, including bad habits and criminal background, if relevant.

If a source tells you not to use his or her name after an interview has been completed, you should a. explain that it doesn't work that way and that you have to publish the information. b. try to understand what the issue is and so you can discuss what the source is uncomfortable sharing. c. immediately agree. d. call your editor or boss and let him or her negotiate with the source.

b. try to understand what the issue is and so you can discuss what the source is uncomfortable sharing.

When calling to set up an interview, you should a. not identify yourself as a reporter because the source might try to avoid you. b. use the sponsorship technique if another source has referred you to him or her. c. try to set up an interview the same day so you can make sure that the source doesn't have time to "rehearse" answers. d. underestimate how much time you'll need for the interview so you don't scare your source off.

b. use the sponsorship technique if another source has referred you to him or her.

When writing an obituary, a. it is unethical to use information that the deceased person posted on social media, even with permission. b. using information that the deceased person posted on social media might help reveal his or her character, but it should be used only with permission. c. including links in your story to the person's social media pages is illegal because it is considered an invasion of privacy. d. you can use information from Facebook, but not YouTube, because of copyright laws.

b. using information that the deceased person posted on social media might help reveal his or her character, but it should be used only with permission.

Narrative writing often involves a. show-in-action description. b. reconstruction of events. c. All of these are narrative techniques. d. dialogue and plot.

c. All of these are narrative techniques.

When should you check past stories on file or online databases for additional information when writing a story? a. After you've started writing the story, to ensure that you've not missed any crucial background. b. After you've finished writing the story, to ensure that you've quoted the right sources. c. Before you begin reporting or, in the case of breaking news, before you begin writing. d. Never. You may inadvertently plagiarize the information.

c. Before you begin reporting or, in the case of breaking news, before you begin writing.

You should use your best quote a. as a transition. b. as the kicker. c. immediately following the lead. d. to brighten up the muddy middle.

c. immediately following the lead.

Which of the following is true for telephone interviews? a. It's not necessary to state your name or your news organization because most people have caller ID. b. Telephone interviews are less challenging to conduct than in-person interviews. c. It is usually not necessary to use icebreakers. d. The average time of a telephone interview is usually limited to an hour.

c. It is usually not necessary to use icebreakers.

Which is NOT a technique media writers use to deal with boring but important information? a. Use the simplest sentences possible. b. Break it out into a fact box or turn it into an information graphic. c. Put it all into one middle section so as to keep from cluttering the other parts of the story. d. Tack it onto sentences as phrases where it fits to add context.

c. Put it all into one middle section so as to keep from cluttering the other parts of the story.

Which of the following is NOT a descriptive technique? a. Set the scene. b. Choose lively verbs. c. Rely on adjectives. d. Use analogies.

c. Rely on adjectives.

Which sentence is written correctly in AP style? a. Those attending included Dan Meissner, Chairman of the Springfield School Board. b. Those attending included Springfield school board chairman Dan Meissner. c. Those attending included Springfield School Board Chairman Dan Meissner. d. Those attending included Dan Meissner, chairman of the Springfield school board.

c. Those attending included Springfield School Board Chairman Dan Meissner.

When reporting a personality profile, how should reporters use background material? a. Wait to gather background materials on the subject until after the interview with the subject because the interview will help you decide the areas on which to focus. b. Don't ask about information that you gather from background sources like résumés and newspapers in the interview, as it will waste time on things you already know. c. Use background materials as jumping-off points for writing questions and for focusing your story; confirm details with the subject to ensure that they are accurate. d. It's unnecessary to conduct background searches because you will spend so much time with the subject and can get everything you need from him or her.

c. Use background materials as jumping-off points for writing questions and for focusing your story; confirm details with the subject to ensure that they are accurate.

The term "pacing" means a. spreading out complicated information in your story so as not to confuse the reader. b. controlling your time wisely throughout the writing process. You shouldn't spend all your time reporting and leave no time for writing, for example. c. following long sentences with short ones. Good pacing drives the audience to continue reading. d. using information from one source throughout all parts of your story.

c. following long sentences with short ones. Good pacing drives the audience to continue reading.

According to the "trust-o-meter" offered by Stephen C. Miller of The New York Times, which offers the most credible Web information? a. corporate sites b. organization sites c. government sites d. personal sites

c. government sites

What does the "GOAL" method stand for? a. including gaffes, opinions about a person, answers to questions and lists of relevant points in a profile b. including good deeds, occupation, achievements and legacy in an obituary c. including the subject's goals, obstacles, achievements and logistics in a profile d. including graveside service time, official cause of death, accomplishments, and a list of survivors in an obituary

c. including the subject's goals, obstacles, achievements and logistics in a profile

What is the tone of most hard-news stories? a. mystery b. dramatic c. objective, with an absence of mood d. happy

c. objective, with an absence of mood

Which of the following does NOT need to be attributed in a lead? a. accusations b. a direct quotation from a source c. something that you witnessed firsthand d. opinion

c. something that you witnessed firsthand

What is the best use for closed-ended questions? a. to elicit quotes b. to get people to tell stories that can become great feature leads c. to elicit brief, factual answers or basic information d. to provoke in-depth responses

c. to elicit brief, factual answers or basic information

When you are writing political stories, reporters should a. use the same language that government officials use to educate the audience. b. use jargon—bureaucratic and technical terms—so that you are accurate. c. translate jargon into everyday terms the reader can understand. d. only use direct quotes, not paraphrase, to ensure accuracy of information.

c. translate jargon into everyday terms the reader can understand.

When using sources from a member of a minority group, it's best to a. use pictures to show that the sources are diverse if you do not use racial or ethnic labels in the story. b. use ethnic or racial labels to establish that you are using diverse sources. c. use labels if the ethnic or racial background of a source is relevant to the story. d. never use ethnic or racial labels for sources.

c. use labels if the ethnic or racial background of a source is relevant to the story.

When Mark Potter of "NBC Nightly News" speaks of "sponsorship" in reporting, he means a. sponsoring contests on social media to get people to come forward as sources. b. finding donors to sponsor his travel while he's reporting. c. using a source he knows and trusts to sponsor or refer him to other credible sources. d. news organizations sponsoring travel for sources to fly in and appear on daily news shows.

c. using a source he knows and trusts to sponsor or refer him to other credible sources.

A narrative story should be arranged a. chronologically. b. with the climax (or ending) as the lead, followed by a chronological telling of events. c. with the structure that allows you to tell the most compelling story. d. from most recent to oldest.

c. with the structure that allows you to tell the most compelling story.

How long should sentences be in media writing? a. 35 words or more b. There is no ideal sentence length for media writing. c. 25-35 words d. 25 words or fewer

d. 25 words or fewer

Which is true about access to filings in civil and criminal court cases? a. Filings are open to the public in criminal cases but not civil cases. b. All filings are closed to the public, including juvenile cases. c. Filings are open to the public in civil cases, but not criminal cases. d. All filings are open to the public, except in juvenile cases.

d. All filings are open to the public, except in juvenile cases.

Pulitzer Prize winner Barbara Walsh gave what advice about conducting interviews? a. Make interviews as short as possible as to not take up too much of a source's time. b. Ask tough questions only in email to ensure that you get the source's answer in writing. c. Ask your toughest question first to get it out of the way. d. If a source refuses to answer a question, rephrase it and ask it again later in the interview.

d. If a source refuses to answer a question, rephrase it and ask it again later in the interview.

Which statement is most true about how you should check background and prepare before an interview? a. Be wary of reading other news articles or documents too closely for background information because you might inadvertently plagiarize. b. Google the person or issue. Google provides access to virtually any relevant information to prepare for most interviews because it is so broad. c. Wait until after the interview to do your research so you can go in with an open mind, then find background information once you have the news angle. d. Search online databases, official websites, printed materials and news clippings to find information.

d. Search online databases, official websites, printed materials and news clippings to find information.

Jayson Blair worked for what paper when he was found to have fabricated stories? a. The Washington Post b. The New York Times c. The Boston Globe d. The Kansas City Star

d. The New York Times

What policy change about sources did editors at The New York Times make in 2012? a. They banned all use of anonymous sources in stories. b. They said journalists could not use sources from social media. c. They required reporters to check all stories with sources to ensure accuracy. d. They banned the practice of allowing a source to review, approve or edit quotes.

d. They banned the practice of allowing a source to review, approve or edit quotes.

Many literary journalists were influenced by a. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. b. All of these were influences on literary journalists mentioned in the book. c. Gay Talese's Honor Thy Father. d. Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.

d. Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.

When using information from a source as "background," which of the following is true? a. You may never identify the person in your story. b. You can use the information with a made-up name to protect the source's identity. c. Never ask the source how he or she would like to be identified in the story. d. You may identify the person with a vague reference such as "an official."

d. You may identify the person with a vague reference such as "an official."

An analogy is a. a way to set the scene by establishing where and when. b. a form of dramatic dialogue. c. a modifier to provide details about a noun. d. a comparison of a vague concept to a familiar one.

d. a comparison of a vague concept to a familiar one.

Which of these items could be excluded from a meeting story? a. impact on the readers b. votes on major issues c. the next step d. all items on the agenda

d. all items on the agenda

When you need to identify someone by race or ethnicity in a story, it is best to a. follow the AP Stylebook for the correct terms. b. just use the generic term "minority" to be safe. c. use established labels from the U.S. Census Bureau. d. ask the source how he or she would prefer to be referred to in the story.

d. ask the source how he or she would prefer to be referred to in the story.

What are the four Cs in the writing process? a. collect, chronology, context, correct b. collect, context, check, correct c. conceive, contact, collect, communicate d. conceive, collect, construct, correct

d. conceive, collect, construct, correct

When writing a news story, reporters use information a. from governmental documents only and printed sources to ensure accuracy. b. from direct observation only. c. from interviews only. d. from interviews, direct observation and printed sources.

d. from interviews, direct observation and printed sources.

When you are setting the scene for a descriptive or narrative story, a. never include the weather unless you were present and experienced it yourself. b. use the official weather report from the National Weather Service from that day to be precise. c. always include details about the weather to allow readers to feel like they are in the story. d. include a description about the weather if it is relevant to the context of the story.

d. include a description about the weather if it is relevant to the context of the story.

In finding sources, Google and other search engines a. have made old print resources, like the phone book or reverse city directories, obsolete. b. never provide any credible information of use to journalists. c. should always be the first stop—Google first, then look to other sources if needed. d. should be used in conjunction with traditional directories and guides.

d. should be used in conjunction with traditional directories and guides.

Tom French's narrative series, "A Cry in the Night," about a woman who was murdered, demonstrates that a. newspaper readers don't like multi-part stories. b. it's unethical to reconstruct quotes as he did from Karen Gregory after she was dead. c. most narrative stories about crime can be reconstructed almost entirely from police records. d. strong narrative writing must be based on thorough and time-consuming reporting in the field.

d. strong narrative writing must be based on thorough and time-consuming reporting in the field.

What are icebreakers? a. a way to end an interview by summarizing main points b. phrases to include in email to help get a source to agree to an interview c. the best way to get focused quotes on your topic d. techniques to use at the start of an interview to put the subject at ease

d. techniques to use at the start of an interview to put the subject at ease

Words like "pert" and "perky" should not be used when describing a woman because a. All of these are reasons these words should be avoided. b. they are not words the average reader understands. c. they are weak verbs. d. they could be considered sexist.

d. they could be considered sexist.

When writers climb the "ladder of details," a. they end up with the most general description on top. b. they end with the most recent detail on top. c. they end with the climax on top. d. they end with the most specific description on top.

d. they end with the most specific description on top.

The term "blocking sources" refers to a technique a. where key quotes are pulled out into a graphic box on the page to highlight key points in the story. b. where bosses prohibit their employees from talking to the media. c. where writers cross out sources from their notes after off-the-record interviews so they won't be able to use them in a story. d. where information from each source is put in separate blocks when constructing a story.

d. where information from each source is put in separate blocks when constructing a story.

When writing a profile, background about a person's life should be inserted a. at the beginning, right after the lead, and always in chronological order. b. at the end, after the theme and focus have been explained fully. c. always in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. d. where it fits. It is usually spread throughout the story as relevant.

d. where it fits. It is usually spread throughout the story as relevant.

Impact leads explains

how the readers and viewers will be affected by an issue in the story

When writing a soft lead, you should

include a nut graph within the first three to five paragraphs.

In an email interview, what is the optimal number of questions?

no more than 5

Hard-news leads also are called

summary leads.

Second-day leads are also referred to as

updated leads

Narrative leads

use dramatic action so readers feel like they are witnessing an event

Delayed Identification means

you delay identifying the name of the subject of the story until a paragraph or two after the lead.

If you paraphrase a quote,

you need to attribute it so the reader knows where you got the information