Journalism Jargon

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Step into the newsroom and test your knowledge of the terms reporters and editors use every day.

1.
In journalism, what is a 'lede'?
A
The opening sentence or paragraph of a news story
B
The editor-in-chief
C
The headline of a story
D
A confidential source
2.
What does 'above the fold' mean?
A
Information that is classified
B
Content appearing on the top half of a newspaper's front page
C
A story that has been censored
D
The masthead of a newspaper
3.
What is a 'byline' in journalism?
A
A deadline for submitting stories
B
A secondary headline
C
A line crediting the author of an article
D
The last line of an article
4.
What does 'off the record' mean?
A
A story that has been retracted
B
An unconfirmed rumor
C
Information given with the understanding it will not be published or attributed
D
Not recorded on tape
5.
What is a 'slug' in newsroom terminology?
A
A typographical error
B
A rejected story
C
A short label or identifier used to track a story during production
D
A slow news day
6.
What does 'bury the lede' mean?
A
Hide a story from publication
B
Cancel a story at the last minute
C
Write a very short article
D
Place the most important information too far into the story rather than at the beginning
7.
What is an 'op-ed'?
A
An editor's correction
B
An operational editorial meeting
C
An opinion piece published opposite the editorial page
D
A breaking news bulletin
8.
What does 'dateline' refer to in a news article?
A
The publication deadline
B
The line at the beginning of a story indicating where and sometimes when it was filed
C
The date the story was written
D
A timeline of events in the story
9.
What is a 'stringer' in journalism?
A
A press photographer
B
Someone who strings newspaper headlines together
C
A copy editor
D
A freelance journalist who contributes to a publication without being on staff
10.
What does 'embargo' mean in journalism?
A
A retraction of a story
B
A ban on a reporter
C
A type of newspaper format
D
A restriction on publishing information until a specified date and time
11.
What is a 'beat' in journalism?
A
A specific subject area or geographic region a reporter regularly covers
B
Scooping a rival newspaper
C
A rhythm in writing
D
The pace of a news broadcast
12.
What does 'inverted pyramid' refer to?
A
An upside-down chart
B
A method of stacking newspapers
C
A type of news organization hierarchy
D
A writing structure that puts the most important information first, with details following in decreasing order of importance
13.
What is a 'scoop' in journalism?
A
A summary paragraph
B
A type of camera lens
C
A correction to a previous article
D
An exclusive story published before competitors
14.
What does 'masthead' refer to?
A
The ship used by a war correspondent
B
The first page of a newspaper
C
The largest headline on the page
D
The section of a publication listing ownership, editors, and contact information
15.
What is a 'sidebar' in journalism?
A
An advertisement placed next to an article
B
A conversation at a bar
C
A short, supplementary article that accompanies a main story
D
The margin of a newspaper page

Answer Key

Question 1

A. The opening sentence or paragraph of a news story

Question 2

B. Content appearing on the top half of a newspaper's front page

Question 3

C. A line crediting the author of an article

Question 4

C. Information given with the understanding it will not be published or attributed

Question 5

C. A short label or identifier used to track a story during production

Question 6

D. Place the most important information too far into the story rather than at the beginning

Question 7

C. An opinion piece published opposite the editorial page

Question 8

B. The line at the beginning of a story indicating where and sometimes when it was filed

Question 9

D. A freelance journalist who contributes to a publication without being on staff

Question 10

D. A restriction on publishing information until a specified date and time

Question 11

A. A specific subject area or geographic region a reporter regularly covers

Question 12

D. A writing structure that puts the most important information first, with details following in decreasing order of importance

Question 13

D. An exclusive story published before competitors

Question 14

D. The section of a publication listing ownership, editors, and contact information

Question 15

C. A short, supplementary article that accompanies a main story

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