BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: Multimedia Storytelling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In multimedia storytelling, what does 'non-linear narrative' mean?
- The story must be told chronologically
- Audiences can choose their own path through the content (Correct answer)
- The journalist writes without a script
- Video segments are edited without transitions
Correct answer: Audiences can choose their own path through the content
Non-linear narrative allows audiences to navigate content in a self-directed order rather than following a fixed sequence.
Question 2: Which audio technique involves recording ambient sound to establish a sense of place in a multimedia piece?
- Voice-over narration
- Nat sound (natural sound) (Correct answer)
- Foley effects
- ADR (automated dialogue replacement)
Correct answer: Nat sound (natural sound)
Natural sound, or nat sound, captures the real audio environment of a scene to immerse audiences in the story's location.
Question 3: What is a 'data visualization' in the context of multimedia journalism?
- A photograph of a spreadsheet
- A graphic representation of data sets to reveal patterns or stories (Correct answer)
- A written summary of statistics
- A database of source contacts
Correct answer: A graphic representation of data sets to reveal patterns or stories
Data visualization transforms raw data into charts, maps, or infographics that make complex information accessible and visually compelling.
Question 4: When shooting video for a news story, what is the 'rule of thirds'?
- Dividing screen time equally among three sources
- Positioning subjects along imaginary grid lines dividing the frame into thirds (Correct answer)
- Using three camera angles per scene
- Writing a script in three acts
Correct answer: Positioning subjects along imaginary grid lines dividing the frame into thirds
The rule of thirds places key subjects at intersections of imaginary horizontal and vertical grid lines to create balanced, visually engaging compositions.
Question 5: A journalist embeds a tweet in an online article without seeking permission. What ethical issue does this raise?
- Plagiarism of the tweet's text
- Potential copyright and fair use concerns (Correct answer)
- Violation of press shield laws
- Breach of source confidentiality
Correct answer: Potential copyright and fair use concerns
Embedding social media content can raise copyright questions, though courts have debated whether embedding constitutes infringement under the server test doctrine.
Question 6: What is 'transmedia storytelling' as applied to journalism?
- Translating articles into multiple languages
- Distributing different story elements across multiple platforms, each adding unique content (Correct answer)
- Broadcasting the same report on radio, TV, and online simultaneously
- Using multiple cameras for a single interview
Correct answer: Distributing different story elements across multiple platforms, each adding unique content
Transmedia journalism spreads a story across platforms like video, podcast, social media, and print, with each medium contributing distinct narrative layers.
Question 7: Which metadata element is most critical for search engine discoverability of a multimedia news package?
- File size of video assets
- Alt text, title tags, and descriptive captions (Correct answer)
- The journalist's byline font
- Color profile of embedded images
Correct answer: Alt text, title tags, and descriptive captions
Alt text, title tags, and descriptive captions help search engines index multimedia content, improving discoverability for audiences searching relevant topics.
BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: Multimedia Storytelling 2
In multimedia storytelling, what does 'non-linear narrative' mean?