BSJ Magazine and Feature Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is an 'editorial calendar' in magazine publishing?
- The schedule of weekly editorial staff meetings
- A planned schedule of content themes and publication dates across the year (Correct answer)
- A list of individual writer deadlines for a single issue
- The calendar used to coordinate advertiser submission deadlines
Correct answer: A planned schedule of content themes and publication dates across the year
An editorial calendar maps out planned content, themes, and special issues across a publication period to align editorial strategy and advertising sales.
Question 2: What does 'evergreen content' mean in magazine journalism?
- Content focused on environmental and sustainability topics
- Stories that remain relevant and useful regardless of when they are published (Correct answer)
- Articles produced specifically for spring seasonal issues
- Recycled content reprinted from previous issues
Correct answer: Stories that remain relevant and useful regardless of when they are published
Evergreen content does not become outdated quickly and can be published or referenced at any time without losing its value.
Question 3: What is a 'deck' in magazine layout and design?
- The main headline of an article displayed prominently
- A secondary headline or subheadline appearing below the main headline (Correct answer)
- The large visual image used to anchor the article layout
- The byline credit identifying the author
Correct answer: A secondary headline or subheadline appearing below the main headline
A deck, also called a subhead or standfirst, appears below the main headline and provides additional context or a preview of the story.
Question 4: Which element of feature writing involves recreating a scene with vivid sensory detail to immerse readers?
- Scene-setting (Correct answer)
- Attribution
- Paraphrasing
- Backgrounding
Correct answer: Scene-setting
Scene-setting uses descriptive writing to recreate places, events, and atmosphere, drawing readers into the story environment.
Question 5: What does the AP Stylebook primarily govern in magazine and news writing?
- Story length requirements and narrative structure
- Consistency in grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and word usage (Correct answer)
- Photography caption formatting and photo credit placement
- Rules for advertisement placement relative to editorial content
Correct answer: Consistency in grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and word usage
The AP Stylebook provides standardized rules for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and usage to ensure consistency across journalism publications.
Question 6: In long-form magazine writing, what is a 'kicker'?
- The compelling opening line designed to grab reader attention
- A brief ending that leaves readers with a memorable thought or resonant image (Correct answer)
- A controversial statement used in the headline to attract readers
- A boxed element containing key statistics or pull quotes
Correct answer: A brief ending that leaves readers with a memorable thought or resonant image
A kicker, or closer, is the final line or lines of a feature designed to provide a satisfying conclusion or a memorable final thought.
Question 7: What does 'voice' refer to in the context of magazine writing?
- Audio narration that accompanies digital articles online
- The distinctive style, tone, and personality a writer brings to their work (Correct answer)
- The use of direct quotations from interviewed sources
- The target readership demographic a publication serves
Correct answer: The distinctive style, tone, and personality a writer brings to their work
Voice in writing refers to the unique expression and personality that distinguishes one writer's style from another's across their body of work.
BSJ Magazine and Feature Writing 2
What is an 'editorial calendar' in magazine publishing?