BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: News Reporting and Writing Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the AP Style guide, how should a person's title be treated when it appears after their name?
- Capitalize it regardless of position
- Lowercase it when it follows the name (Correct answer)
- Abbreviate it always
- Use quotation marks around it
Correct answer: Lowercase it when it follows the name
AP Style lowercases formal titles when they appear after a person's name rather than directly before it.
Question 2: What distinguishes a 'hard news' story from a 'feature story'?
- Hard news uses anonymous sources; features do not
- Hard news covers timely events with immediate public impact; features explore topics in greater depth and narrative style (Correct answer)
- Features are shorter and simpler than hard news
- Hard news always appears on the front page; features never do
Correct answer: Hard news covers timely events with immediate public impact; features explore topics in greater depth and narrative style
Hard news focuses on immediate, significant events, while features offer deeper exploration with narrative techniques.
Question 3: A reporter quotes a source who later asks to go 'off the record' for comments already given. What is the standard practice?
- Grant the request automatically since the source asked politely
- Negotiate with the source — retroactive off-the-record requests are not automatically honored (Correct answer)
- Delete all quotes from the source entirely
- Publish the quotes anonymously to compromise
Correct answer: Negotiate with the source — retroactive off-the-record requests are not automatically honored
Ground rules must be established before an interview; retroactive off-the-record requests are not binding unless the reporter agrees.
Question 4: What is 'churnalism'?
- The practice of rotating beats among staff reporters
- Publishing press releases and wire copy with minimal original reporting or verification (Correct answer)
- Writing multiple versions of the same story for different platforms
- Editing stories rapidly to meet broadcast deadlines
Correct answer: Publishing press releases and wire copy with minimal original reporting or verification
Churnalism refers to the practice of producing news content that is largely recycled from press releases or wire services without independent verification.
Question 5: Which element is essential in a broadcast news script that differs from print news writing?
- An inverted pyramid structure
- Conversational language written for the ear, not the eye (Correct answer)
- Use of technical jargon for credibility
- Long, complex sentence structures for thoroughness
Correct answer: Conversational language written for the ear, not the eye
Broadcast writing must be spoken aloud, so it uses conversational language and shorter sentences optimized for listening.
Question 6: What is the role of a 'stringer' in journalism?
- A senior editor who reviews final copy
- A freelance journalist hired on a per-story basis, often covering a specific region (Correct answer)
- A fact-checker who verifies sources
- A photographer specializing in portrait photography
Correct answer: A freelance journalist hired on a per-story basis, often covering a specific region
Stringers are freelance contributors paid per piece, often used to cover geographic areas where the outlet has no staff reporter.
Question 7: When a story involves a minor who is a crime victim, what is the standard ethical guideline?
- Always publish the minor's full name for transparency
- Withhold the minor's identity to protect their privacy (Correct answer)
- Only publish the name if parents give verbal consent
- Use the minor's first name only
Correct answer: Withhold the minor's identity to protect their privacy
Journalistic ethics and often law prohibit identifying minors who are crime victims to protect them from further harm.
BSJ Bachelor of Journalism: News Reporting and Writing Skills 3
In the AP Style guide, how should a person's title be treated when it appears after their name?