Free Bachelor of Journalism: News Reporting and Writing Skills Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What criteria determine the newsworthiness of a story?
- The story has to be about a celebrity.
- The story has to be published.
- The story has to have balanced sources.
- The story has to be about a topic that appeals to the public interest. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The story has to be about a topic that appeals to the public interest.
Newsworthiness is primarily determined by whether a story is relevant, significant, or interesting to the public. Stories that appeal to public interest, whether due to impact, timeliness, proximity, conflict, or human interest, are generally considered newsworthy. The other options are either too narrow or not primary determinants of newsworthiness.
Question 2: What does "balance" refer to when discussing a news story?
- Covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible. (Correct answer)
- Giving the same amount of space to every paragraph.
- Getting a lawyer’s opinion before writing an article.
- Having several authors write a story.
Correct answer: Covering all sides of an issue as fairly as possible.
In journalism, 'balance' refers to the practice of presenting all relevant perspectives and sides of an issue in a fair and impartial manner. This ensures that readers receive a comprehensive understanding of the topic, rather than a biased or one-sided account. It is a crucial aspect of objective reporting.
Question 3: How does a reporter achieve "balance" in their story?
- By writing five paragraphs
- By including pictures with his story
- By quoting several different sources (Correct answer)
- By publishing a story and a follow-up story
Correct answer: By quoting several different sources
A reporter achieves 'balance' in their story by including multiple perspectives and viewpoints, typically by quoting or referencing several different sources. This practice ensures that various sides of an issue are represented, contributing to a fair, comprehensive, and unbiased report. Relying on a single source can lead to a one-sided narrative.
Question 4: How can soft news be defined or described?
- News that’s entertaining or interesting (Correct answer)
- News that’s circulated on the Internet, not on paper
- News that’s based on opinions, not facts
- Advice columns
Correct answer: News that’s entertaining or interesting
Soft news typically focuses on human interest stories, entertainment, lifestyle, and less time-sensitive topics, often aiming to entertain or engage the audience rather than solely inform about critical events. It contrasts with 'hard news,' which covers serious, timely events and public affairs. Therefore, news that's entertaining or interesting best defines it.
Question 5: How can a creative lead in journalism be defined?
- The angle of a story
- A piece of information that attracts and keeps the reader interested (Correct answer)
- A point in the story where the reader loses interest
- The main idea of a feature story
Correct answer: A piece of information that attracts and keeps the reader interested
A creative lead (or lede) in journalism is an engaging opening to a story designed to hook the reader's attention and draw them in. Unlike a traditional inverted pyramid lead, a creative lead might use anecdotes, vivid descriptions, or intriguing questions to capture interest and keep the reader engaged from the start. It serves as a compelling entry point to the narrative.
Question 6: How can an editorial be defined?
- A part of the writing process
- The process when an editor works with an unfinished story
- The job that reporter's get when they are promoted
- An opinion piece published on a special page (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An opinion piece published on a special page
An editorial is an article, typically published on a dedicated editorial page, that expresses the opinion of the newspaper's editorial board or the publication itself. It is distinct from news reporting, which aims for objectivity, as editorials are explicitly persuasive and take a stance on an issue, advocating for a particular viewpoint or course of action.
Question 7: How can a reporter be defined?
- A person who writes research papers about any topic
- A person who interviews sources, writes copy, and is published (Correct answer)
- Anyone who can publish his writing online
- A good writer that happens to be popular with the public
Correct answer: A person who interviews sources, writes copy, and is published
A reporter's role is multifaceted, involving the active gathering of information through interviews with sources. They then craft this information into written content, known as copy, which is subsequently published to inform the public. This definition encompasses the entire journalistic process from investigation to dissemination.
Question 8: What elements are typically found in a summary lead?
- The most important facts of the story (Correct answer)
- A list of all the sources quoted in the story
- A direct quote
- Instructions on how to read the story
Correct answer: The most important facts of the story
A summary lead, often found at the beginning of a news story, is designed to quickly provide the reader with the most crucial information. It typically answers the 5 W's and 1 H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) to give a concise overview of the main event or topic. This allows readers to grasp the core facts without needing to read the entire article.
Question 9: What factors should influence your selection of a source?
- The source’s popularity
- The source’s height and weight
- The source’s expertise (Correct answer)
- The source’s availability
Correct answer: The source’s expertise
When selecting a source for a news story, a reporter's primary consideration should be the source's expertise on the subject matter. Relying on knowledgeable and credible sources ensures the accuracy, depth, and authority of the information presented in the story. This practice is fundamental to maintaining journalistic integrity and providing reliable news.
Question 10: What is the information represented by the 5 W's and 1 H?
- The six worst mistakes a reporter can make
- The only six questions that a reporter can ask a source
- The six paragraphs that are required for a standard news story
- The six facts necessary facts of a summary lead (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The six facts necessary facts of a summary lead
The 5 W's (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and 1 H (How) represent the essential factual elements that must be included in a summary lead. These six components provide a concise and comprehensive overview of the most important aspects of a news story. Journalists use this framework to ensure readers quickly understand the core details.
Question 11: What term characterizes a feature story?
- A hard news story
- A soft news story (Correct answer)
- Any story that informs the reader
- Any short newspaper article
Correct answer: A soft news story
A feature story is characterized as 'soft news' because it typically focuses on human interest, trends, profiles, or background information, rather than immediate, breaking events. Unlike hard news, features often have a longer shelf life and aim to entertain or inform in a more narrative and less time-sensitive manner. They allow for more creative writing and in-depth exploration of a topic.
Question 12: How can a source be defined in journalism?
- A person that a reporter interviews for his story (Correct answer)
- A published news source, such as the Chicago Tribune
- A published online news source, such as austintalks.org
Correct answer: A person that a reporter interviews for his story
In journalism, a 'source' is primarily defined as a person whom a reporter interviews to gather information, quotes, or insights for a story. These individuals provide firsthand accounts, expert opinions, or relevant data that contribute to the accuracy and depth of the news report. While published materials can be used for background, direct human interaction is central to defining a journalistic source.
Question 13: What does the term "hard news" refer to?
- News that affects an entire group of people (Correct answer)
- News that covers hard to understand topics
- News that’s based on opinions, not facts
- The only kind of news there is
Correct answer: News that affects an entire group of people
The term 'hard news' refers to timely, factual, and significant events that have a broad impact, often affecting a large number of people or society as a whole. It typically covers serious topics like politics, crime, economics, and disasters, focusing on immediate information and objective reporting. This distinguishes it from 'soft news,' which is often more human-interest driven.
Question 14: What is the significance of reporters engaging with sources?
- Sources help publish a reporter’s story.
- Sources give a story balance by offering different perspectives. (Correct answer)
- Sources buy newspapers.
- Sources are the people that help edit and revise copy.
Correct answer: Sources give a story balance by offering different perspectives.
Engaging with multiple sources is vital for journalistic integrity, as it allows reporters to gather diverse viewpoints and verify facts. Different sources can offer unique insights, challenge assumptions, and provide a more comprehensive and balanced understanding of an issue. This practice helps prevent bias and ensures a well-rounded and credible narrative.
Question 15: What is the main focus of profile stories?
- Current events
- Celebrity interviews only
- An individual (Correct answer)
- A group’s behavior
Correct answer: An individual
Profile stories are a type of feature journalism that focuses intensely on a single individual. Their main purpose is to create a vivid and in-depth portrait of a person, exploring their life, personality, achievements, and experiences. These stories aim to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the subject beyond surface-level facts.
Question 16: What type of creative lead does the following sentence exemplify? "Six years ago, Mr. Maxwell's son James fell down a well, and he's still climbing out."
- Suspense/Teaser (Correct answer)
- Compare/Contrast
- Allusion
- Direct Quotation
Correct answer: Suspense/Teaser
This sentence exemplifies a suspense or teaser lead because it immediately grabs the reader's attention by presenting a dramatic and intriguing scenario without revealing all the details. It creates curiosity and a sense of ongoing mystery, prompting the reader to continue reading to find out what happened and why James is 'still climbing out.' This technique effectively hooks the audience.
Free Bachelor of Journalism: News Reporting and Writing Skills Questions and Answers
What criteria determine the newsworthiness of a story?