BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: Journalistic Arts Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which narrative structure places the most newsworthy information at the beginning of a story?
- Chronological structure
- Inverted pyramid (Correct answer)
- Hourglass structure
- Narrative arc
Correct answer: Inverted pyramid
The inverted pyramid leads with the most important facts and progressively adds less critical details, allowing editors to cut from the bottom without losing key information.
Question 2: When a reporter paraphrases a source's statement rather than quoting directly, the text should be attributed with which construction?
- Said that
- According to (Correct answer)
- Reported by
- As cited in
Correct answer: According to
'According to' is the standard attribution phrase used with paraphrased material, while direct quotes use 'said' followed by the source's name.
Question 3: A journalist covering a city council vote discovers her spouse is one of the council members. What is the correct course of action?
- Cover the story and disclose the relationship in the article
- Recuse herself and assign the story to another reporter (Correct answer)
- Cover the story without disclosure since it is public record
- Obtain a quote only from her spouse to ensure accuracy
Correct answer: Recuse herself and assign the story to another reporter
Recusal is required when a journalist has a direct personal relationship with a news subject to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
Question 4: What does 'on background' mean in a journalist–source agreement?
- The source can be named and quoted directly
- Information can be used but the source is not named (Correct answer)
- Nothing from the conversation may be published
- The source provides documents only, not verbal statements
Correct answer: Information can be used but the source is not named
On background allows reporters to use the information provided while agreeing not to identify the source by name or position.
Question 5: Which photojournalism principle requires that images not be digitally altered to misrepresent a scene?
- Fair use doctrine
- Photo opportunity ethics
- Authenticity standard
- Visual truth-telling (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Visual truth-telling
Visual truth-telling is the foundational photojournalism principle that prohibits manipulation that changes the meaning or reality of an image.
Question 6: In broadcast journalism, what term describes the spoken words a reporter records to accompany video footage?
- Stand-up
- Voice-over (Correct answer)
- Nat sound
- Package
Correct answer: Voice-over
A voice-over is narration recorded by the reporter and played over video footage, distinct from a stand-up where the reporter appears on camera.
Question 7: The practice of verifying a story with at least two independent sources before publication reflects which core journalistic standard?
- Source diversity
- Corroboration (Correct answer)
- Transparency
- Proportionality
Correct answer: Corroboration
Corroboration requires confirming key facts through multiple independent sources to reduce the risk of publishing inaccurate information.
BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: Journalistic Arts Skills 2
Which narrative structure places the most newsworthy information at the beginning of a story?