Introduction to Newswriting

Question 1

List the elements of mass appeal.

Answer 1

Suspense, Prominence, Immediacy, Conflict, Emotion
Consequence, Oddity, Proximity, Progress, Sex
(SPICE COPPS)

Question 2

Which element of mass appeal describes the following:

First female Sailors report to USS Submarine (SSBN 123)

Answer 2

Sex

Question 3

Which element of mass appeal describes the following:

100-percent advancement to MC1

Answer 3

Oddity

Question 4

Which element of mass appeal describes the following:

Hour-by-hour account of missing Sailor from USS Destroyer (DDG 456)

Answer 4

Progress

Question 5

Which element of mass appeal describes the following:

Breaking News

Answer 5

Immediacy

Question 6

Which element of mass appeal describes the following:

annual Army-Navy football game.

Answer 6

Conflict

Question 7

What is the importance of adhering to the ABC’s of journalism?

Answer 7

It builds trust and credibility with your audiences.

Question 8

What are the three elements of an inverted pyramid-style news story?

Answer 8

Lead, Bridge, Body

Question 9

What, if any, is the maximum length of a summary news lead?

Answer 9

30

Question 10

What is the most common type of news lead?

Answer 10

Summary (News) Lead

Question 11

True or false: a story’s news peg is it’s most important fact?

Answer 11

True.

Question 12

What are the primary parts of an ‘impersonal who?’

Answer 12

Job Title and Unit/Organization

Question 13

What number of days is included in a publication date week?

Answer 13

13

Question 14

What term describes an insertion of the writer’s opinion in a hard news story?

Answer 14

Editorializing

Question 15

Where in a hard news story do you find the story’s lead emphasis?

Answer 15

News Peg

Question 16

What part of a lead sentence identifies the past, present or future of the ‘when’ element?

Answer 16

Verb Tense

Question 17

Describe the function of the bridge in a news story.

Answer 17

To connect the lead with the body of the story.

Question 18

When writing a follow-up story about a news event, you need to remind the reader of the
previously reported facts. You do this how?

Answer 18

Tie-back

Question 19

What portion(s) of a news story are typically used to adapt the news story to a news brief?

Answer 19

Lead and Bridge

Question 20

When following the inverted pyramid style of writing, in what sequence should you present the
story’s facts?

Answer 20

From greater to lesser importance.

Question 21

Describe the proper use of direct quotes.

Answer 21

Direct quotes must always be written verbatim?

Question 22

What is the primary difference between internal news stories and external news releases?

Answer 22

External releases are sent to external news media for dissemination to the American public.

Question 23

What is the purpose of a dateline?

Answer 23

It tells the reader where the story originated (was written.)

Question 24

Which of the following locations stands alone in a dateline?
A. Jacksonville
B. Pearl Harbor
C. Pensacola
D. Whidbey Island

Answer 24

Pearl Harbor

Question 25

What elements of an external release must be established prior to release in order to properly target a story’s intended audience?

Answer 25

Local angle and military tie

Question 26

What is the primary use of a media advisory?

Answer 26

An abbreviated form of a news release intended to encourage the media to cover an event themselves.

Question 27

What is the goal for the timely release of information following an accident or incident?

Answer 27

One (1) hour

Question 28

What items of information must be included in an initial accident or incident story?

Answer 28

Dateline, initial number of killed or injured, brief description of accident or incident to include what/when/where, next-of-kin statement, information regarding search and rescue operations, statement of investigation.

Question 29

Where in a sports story should the final outcome of the sporting event be placed?

Answer 29

Summary

Question 30

On average, how many lines of broadcast copy are needed to produce a 30-second piece?

Answer 30

Seven (7) to eight (8) lines

Question 31

List the six Cs of broadcast writing?

Answer 31

Clear, Concise, Complete, Conversational, Current, Correct