CJE CJE News Writing & Reporting Fundamentals

Question 1

Which story structure places the most newsworthy information at the beginning and least important at the end?

Accepted Answer

Inverted pyramid

Answer

Narrative arc

Answer

Hourglass structure

Answer

Wall Street Journal formula

Question 2

In AP Style, which of the following is the correct way to write a date?

Accepted Answer

March 30, 2026

Answer

March 30th, 2026

Answer

30 March 2026

Answer

03/30/2026

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a nut graf in a feature story?

Accepted Answer

To explain why the story matters to readers

Answer

To quote the main source

Answer

To summarize the ending

Answer

To introduce statistics

Question 4

Which sourcing guideline requires journalists to seek comment from a person before publishing negative information about them?

Accepted Answer

Right of reply

Answer

Sunshine law compliance

Answer

Shield law protocol

Answer

FOIA process

Question 5

When teaching students to identify a story angle, an adviser should emphasize which key question?

Accepted Answer

What is the unique focus that makes this story relevant to this audience?

Answer

How long should the story be?

Answer

Who will photograph the story?

Answer

When is the deadline?

Question 6

Which type of lead begins with an anecdote or scene to draw readers into the story?

Accepted Answer

Delayed lead

Answer

Summary lead

Answer

Question lead

Answer

Direct address lead