CJE News Writing & Reporting Fundamentals Flashcards
6 cards from real CJE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CJE News Writing & Reporting Fundamentals flashcards as text
Which AP Style rule applies when referring to a person's title before their name?
Answer: Capitalize formal titles only when they directly precede the name
AP Style capitalizes formal titles only when they appear directly before a person's name, treating them as part of the name.
What is the difference between on-the-record and off-the-record source agreements?
Answer: On-the-record allows quoting with attribution; off-the-record means information cannot be used at all
On-the-record allows direct quotation with the source's name, while off-the-record information generally cannot be published.
Which element is NOT typically part of a news story's Five Ws?
Answer: Worth
The Five Ws are Who, What, When, Where, and Why — 'Worth' is not part of this foundational journalism framework.
When teaching interview techniques, which practice should student journalists be taught to avoid?
Answer: Asking yes/no questions exclusively
Closed yes/no questions limit responses; students should ask open-ended questions to elicit detailed, quotable answers.
What does 'attribution' mean in news writing?
Answer: Giving credit to the original source of information or quotes
Attribution identifies who said something or where information came from, establishing credibility and accountability.
In journalism education, what is the 'Wall Street Journal formula' story structure?
Answer: A feature structure that opens with an anecdote, broadens to a larger issue, then returns to the opening subject
The WSJ formula uses an individual anecdote to humanize a broader trend, ending with a 'kicker' that returns to the opening person.