BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: News Reporting and Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence structure is preferred in news writing for clarity and immediacy?
- Complex sentences with multiple clauses
- Short, declarative sentences in active voice (Correct answer)
- Passive voice constructions for objectivity
- Long sentences that provide full context upfront
Correct answer: Short, declarative sentences in active voice
Active, short declarative sentences convey information quickly and clearly, which is essential in journalism.
Question 2: A reporter receives a tip that a city councilmember misused public funds. What is the first step?
- Publish the tip immediately to scoop competitors
- Verify the tip with at least two independent sources (Correct answer)
- Ask the councilmember for comment before any verification
- Submit a FOIA request and wait before doing anything else
Correct answer: Verify the tip with at least two independent sources
Verification with multiple independent sources is the foundational step before any story moves forward.
Question 3: What does 'burying the lede' mean in journalism?
- Omitting the lead paragraph entirely
- Placing the most important information too far down in the story (Correct answer)
- Writing a misleading opening sentence
- Failing to attribute a quote correctly
Correct answer: Placing the most important information too far down in the story
Burying the lede means the most newsworthy information is delayed rather than placed at the top of the story.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a 'nut graf'?
- A paragraph that quotes the mayor directly
- A paragraph that explains why the story matters to readers (Correct answer)
- The final paragraph summarizing the story
- The first paragraph containing the five W's
Correct answer: A paragraph that explains why the story matters to readers
The nut graf tells readers why the story is significant and why they should care, often appearing after a feature-style opening.
Question 5: When covering a breaking crime story, a reporter learns the suspect's name from a police scanner. What should the reporter do?
- Publish the name immediately since it came from an official source
- Confirm the name with official law enforcement before publishing (Correct answer)
- Withhold the name permanently to protect the suspect
- Use only the suspect's initials in all coverage
Correct answer: Confirm the name with official law enforcement before publishing
Scanner traffic is not confirmed information; reporters must verify names with official sources before publishing.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a 'kicker' in a news story?
- To introduce a new source in the final paragraphs
- To provide a memorable or ironic closing that resonates with readers (Correct answer)
- To correct errors from earlier in the story
- To transition between two unrelated topics
Correct answer: To provide a memorable or ironic closing that resonates with readers
A kicker is a closing quote or observation that gives the story a satisfying, often thought-provoking ending.
Question 7: A journalist is writing about a local school's declining test scores. Which source type provides the strongest factual foundation?
- Anecdotal accounts from parents
- Official state education department data (Correct answer)
- Comments from students on social media
- A teacher's personal observations
Correct answer: Official state education department data
Official government data provides verifiable, authoritative statistics that anchor factual claims in news stories.
BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: News Reporting and Writing Skills 2
Which sentence structure is preferred in news writing for clarity and immediacy?