CJE CJE News Writing & Reporting Fundamentals 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which story structure places the most newsworthy information at the beginning and least important at the end?
- Inverted pyramid (Correct answer)
- Narrative arc
- Hourglass structure
- Wall Street Journal formula
Correct answer: Inverted pyramid
The inverted pyramid places the most critical facts first so editors can cut from the bottom without losing essential information.
Question 2: In AP Style, which of the following is the correct way to write a date?
- March 30th, 2026
- March 30, 2026 (Correct answer)
- 30 March 2026
- 03/30/2026
Correct answer: March 30, 2026
AP Style uses month name, day numeral (no ordinal suffix), comma, and four-digit year.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a nut graf in a feature story?
- To quote the main source
- To explain why the story matters to readers (Correct answer)
- To summarize the ending
- To introduce statistics
Correct answer: To explain why the story matters to readers
The nut graf tells readers why the story is significant and why they should keep reading.
Question 4: Which sourcing guideline requires journalists to seek comment from a person before publishing negative information about them?
- Sunshine law compliance
- Right of reply (Correct answer)
- Shield law protocol
- FOIA process
Correct answer: Right of reply
The right of reply principle ensures fairness by giving subjects of negative coverage a chance to respond before publication.
Question 5: When teaching students to identify a story angle, an adviser should emphasize which key question?
- How long should the story be?
- What is the unique focus that makes this story relevant to this audience? (Correct answer)
- Who will photograph the story?
- When is the deadline?
Correct answer: What is the unique focus that makes this story relevant to this audience?
The angle is the specific perspective or focus that makes a story relevant and compelling to a particular audience.
Question 6: Which type of lead begins with an anecdote or scene to draw readers into the story?
- Summary lead
- Delayed lead (Correct answer)
- Question lead
- Direct address lead
Correct answer: Delayed lead
A delayed (or soft) lead uses a narrative scene or anecdote before transitioning to the news peg.
CJE CJE News Writing & Reporting Fundamentals 1
Which story structure places the most newsworthy information at the beginning and least important at the end?