OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Writing a News Report Flashcards

Why do journalists include direct quotes from sources in a news report?

Answer: To add credibility and provide firsthand perspectives

Quotes from sources add authenticity and allow readers to hear directly from those involved, which strengthens the report's reliability.

What does 'objectivity' mean in news writing?

Answer: Presenting facts without personal bias or opinion

Objective reporting presents information fairly and without the writer's personal opinions influencing how facts are presented.

What is the purpose of a subheading in a news report?

Answer: To break up the text and signal a new section's topic

Subheadings divide a longer article into sections, making it easier to skim and helping readers navigate to relevant parts.

Which type of language should a news reporter avoid to maintain objectivity?

Answer: Emotive or biased language

Emotive or loaded language can slant a report toward a particular viewpoint, undermining the neutrality that journalism requires.

What does the inverted pyramid structure instruct journalists to place at the very end of a news report?

Answer: Background context and less essential details

The bottom of the inverted pyramid holds background information and supplementary details that can be cut without losing the core story.

What does 'attribution' mean in news writing?

Answer: Crediting the source of a statement or piece of information

Attribution identifies who said something or where a piece of information came from, using phrases like 'according to' or 'said [name].'