FBLA JOURNALISM STUDY GUIDE
Add - Answers - Shorthand for "additional," add refers to additional text written for an
article
analyst - Answers - An analyst provides background information for a news story to
help audiences understand the subject matter more fully.
Attribution - Answers - This term refers to the credit given to the source of a quote or
piece of information referenced in an article. The term is not limited to quotes given to
the journalist from interviewees. Court documents, scientific studies, and transcribed
speeches are all examples of sources that require attribution.
anonymous source definition - Answers - As the name suggests, an anonymous
source is an interviewee that has requested to obscure their identity in a published
article. This type of secrecy can raise skepticism from readers since they cannot
determine the source's credibility for themselves — emphasizing the importance of
attribution.
AP Style definition - Answers - The Associated Press Style Guide outlines the industry-
standard expectations on grammar, numeral formatting, and the use of common words
or phrases.
Banner - Answers - This attention-grabbing headline features the largest font on the
page and spans the entire width of the paper.
Beat Reporting - Answers - a reporter's specific area of focus on a particular issue,
sector, organization, or institution. This can be as general as "politics," "business," or
"environmental science," or as specific as an individual politician, company, or area of
research
Beat-Up - Answers - Though this news story may have once been based on a real
event, the details have been grossly sensationalized (see below) to the point where it
can no longer be considered the truth.
Below the Fold - Answers - The term comes from traditional newspaper publishing
when there was an actual physical fold in the middle of the paper. The most important
news typically printed "above the fold," aka anything that would be seen even while the
paper was folded, often on newsstands. This, naturally, served as the inspiration for our
newsletter!
In a digital world, the term has continued, referring to the section of a web page that is
only visible after scrolling down. Similarly, all content visible upon landing on a webpage
is then "above the fold."
,Breaking News - Answers - unexpected events that are considered important enough
to interrupt the network's regularly scheduled program.
bright - Answers - a short, quirky news story, usually between one and three
paragraphs in length.
Broadcast Journalism - Answers - the distribution of news content through electrical
means, such as radio, television, and the Internet.
Broadsheet - Answers - one of the two most common newspaper formats. These large
papers usually run 29.5 by 23.5 inches in length. If you've ever seen an older relative
read a newspaper large enough to conceal the top half of his or her body, that person is
probably holding a broadsheet.
Bulldog - Answers - Early edition, usually the first of a newspaper.
Byline - Answers - a line at the head of a newspaper article carrying the author's name
circulation - Answers - the number of copies distributed during the day
columnist - Answers - one who writes pieces that express his or her opinions on a
particular subject and allow their personality to show through their work.
conformation bias - Answers - The tendency to look for evidence in support of a belief
and to ignore evidence that would disprove a belief
copy - Answers - the written text and images that make up an article.
correspondent - Answers - journalist who covers a particular beat (see above) or
reports from the location of critical news events.
Crony Journalism - Answers - This practice refers to heavily biased coverage that
overlooks or downplays news that reflects poorly on the reporter's personal contacts.
cut - Answers - the act of deleting written copy. It can also refer to an image or
photograph used in the article.
cutline - Answers - refers to the caption underneath an image.
Dateline - Answers - This is the first line of an article that states the time and location
during which the story takes place.
deck/dek - Answers - The dek is a 1-2 sentence summary of the article below.
Editorial - Answers - This is an opinionated article written by an editor at a news
organization, which represents the organization's view on a particular subject.
,Efforting - Answers - A verb in a newsroom which means you are working and hoping
to have your story completed and ready to air in the newscast.
Embargo - Answers - prevents publishers from releasing sensitive information before a
designated release date. The press are often given advance notice on product releases,
government-sanctioned announcements, or other news-worthy occurrences, so they
can publish articles as soon as the information is released.
Evergreen - Answers - this story covers a topic that is always relevant and not based
on news of the day.
Exclusive - Answers - refers to a news story that has been given to one specific
publication. These articles are highly valuable, since these stories can't be found
anywhere else on the market
fact-checking - Answers - the process of verifying the information stated in an article
fake news - Answers - "completely false information that was created and spread for
profit.
Feature - Answers - long-form human-interest pieces that focus more on creating
emotional narratives, rather than informing readers about the big news stories of the
day.
Flack - Answers - a derogatory term that, in journalism, is sometimes applied to a
public relations agent
First Amendment Rights of the Press - Answers - The U.S. Constitution protects the
right for news outlets to freely disseminate information and opinions to the masses. This
allows journalists to act as watchdogs over government officials and other influential
newsmakers.
Fixer - Answers - an associate, typically a local journalist, who helps arrange meetings
and travel, translate interviews, and report stories with foreign correspondents.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - Answers - This law, enacted in 1967, requires
federal agencies to disclose public information upon formal request (unless it falls under
the exemptions of "personal privacy, national security, [or] law enforcement.")
graf - Answers - This short-hand simply refers to a shortened version of the word
"paragraph."
Hard News - Answers - Certain news stories, particularly ones related to politics, war,
terrorism, or natural disasters, require immediate coverage. These news articles cut
, straight to the facts, only reporting the most important information needed to understand
the story
HED (Headline) - Answers - The hed refers to the title of the news story
Hold For Release(H.F.R) - Answers - Material on "H.F.R." can not be published by the
news outlet before an agreed-upon release deadline.
Hold for orders (H.F.O) - Answers - Sometimes, articles are drafted months in
advance, in anticipation of events to come. These "Hold For Orders" (H.F.O.s) typically
cover scheduled events such as elections and sports games, but they can also be
written in anticipation of newsworthy occurrences. Reporters often draft multiple
versions of these articles, preparing for all possible outcomes
Hyperlocal news - Answers - events and information that are most important to their
immediate and local audience
Investigative journalism - Answers - Investigative journalism refers to reporting that
reveals hidden scandals and other closeted skeletons. These pieces usually demand
more time and research than other news stories, since they involve unearthing
information that powerful figures have gone to great lengths to keep secret.
Kicker - Answers - essentially refers to a witty phrase or remark that catches a reader's
attention.
kill - Answers - In the newsroom, this term refers to the act of deleting a section of
copy (see above) or an entire news story.
Libeel - Answers - a written form of defamation, refers to the publishing of false
statements to damage a person or organization's reputation
Line - Answers - Banner
literal - Answers - another word for a typo or spelling mistake.
masthead - Answers - An area in a newsletter, typically placed on the second page,
that includes the publisher's contact information and reprint policy.
microlocal journalism - Answers - hyperlocal journalism synonym
morgue - Answers - refers to a library of back issues or news clippings stored within a
news building
Nameplate - Answers - The area at the top of the first page of a newsletter that
contains the title and date of the publication.
Add - Answers - Shorthand for "additional," add refers to additional text written for an
article
analyst - Answers - An analyst provides background information for a news story to
help audiences understand the subject matter more fully.
Attribution - Answers - This term refers to the credit given to the source of a quote or
piece of information referenced in an article. The term is not limited to quotes given to
the journalist from interviewees. Court documents, scientific studies, and transcribed
speeches are all examples of sources that require attribution.
anonymous source definition - Answers - As the name suggests, an anonymous
source is an interviewee that has requested to obscure their identity in a published
article. This type of secrecy can raise skepticism from readers since they cannot
determine the source's credibility for themselves — emphasizing the importance of
attribution.
AP Style definition - Answers - The Associated Press Style Guide outlines the industry-
standard expectations on grammar, numeral formatting, and the use of common words
or phrases.
Banner - Answers - This attention-grabbing headline features the largest font on the
page and spans the entire width of the paper.
Beat Reporting - Answers - a reporter's specific area of focus on a particular issue,
sector, organization, or institution. This can be as general as "politics," "business," or
"environmental science," or as specific as an individual politician, company, or area of
research
Beat-Up - Answers - Though this news story may have once been based on a real
event, the details have been grossly sensationalized (see below) to the point where it
can no longer be considered the truth.
Below the Fold - Answers - The term comes from traditional newspaper publishing
when there was an actual physical fold in the middle of the paper. The most important
news typically printed "above the fold," aka anything that would be seen even while the
paper was folded, often on newsstands. This, naturally, served as the inspiration for our
newsletter!
In a digital world, the term has continued, referring to the section of a web page that is
only visible after scrolling down. Similarly, all content visible upon landing on a webpage
is then "above the fold."
,Breaking News - Answers - unexpected events that are considered important enough
to interrupt the network's regularly scheduled program.
bright - Answers - a short, quirky news story, usually between one and three
paragraphs in length.
Broadcast Journalism - Answers - the distribution of news content through electrical
means, such as radio, television, and the Internet.
Broadsheet - Answers - one of the two most common newspaper formats. These large
papers usually run 29.5 by 23.5 inches in length. If you've ever seen an older relative
read a newspaper large enough to conceal the top half of his or her body, that person is
probably holding a broadsheet.
Bulldog - Answers - Early edition, usually the first of a newspaper.
Byline - Answers - a line at the head of a newspaper article carrying the author's name
circulation - Answers - the number of copies distributed during the day
columnist - Answers - one who writes pieces that express his or her opinions on a
particular subject and allow their personality to show through their work.
conformation bias - Answers - The tendency to look for evidence in support of a belief
and to ignore evidence that would disprove a belief
copy - Answers - the written text and images that make up an article.
correspondent - Answers - journalist who covers a particular beat (see above) or
reports from the location of critical news events.
Crony Journalism - Answers - This practice refers to heavily biased coverage that
overlooks or downplays news that reflects poorly on the reporter's personal contacts.
cut - Answers - the act of deleting written copy. It can also refer to an image or
photograph used in the article.
cutline - Answers - refers to the caption underneath an image.
Dateline - Answers - This is the first line of an article that states the time and location
during which the story takes place.
deck/dek - Answers - The dek is a 1-2 sentence summary of the article below.
Editorial - Answers - This is an opinionated article written by an editor at a news
organization, which represents the organization's view on a particular subject.
,Efforting - Answers - A verb in a newsroom which means you are working and hoping
to have your story completed and ready to air in the newscast.
Embargo - Answers - prevents publishers from releasing sensitive information before a
designated release date. The press are often given advance notice on product releases,
government-sanctioned announcements, or other news-worthy occurrences, so they
can publish articles as soon as the information is released.
Evergreen - Answers - this story covers a topic that is always relevant and not based
on news of the day.
Exclusive - Answers - refers to a news story that has been given to one specific
publication. These articles are highly valuable, since these stories can't be found
anywhere else on the market
fact-checking - Answers - the process of verifying the information stated in an article
fake news - Answers - "completely false information that was created and spread for
profit.
Feature - Answers - long-form human-interest pieces that focus more on creating
emotional narratives, rather than informing readers about the big news stories of the
day.
Flack - Answers - a derogatory term that, in journalism, is sometimes applied to a
public relations agent
First Amendment Rights of the Press - Answers - The U.S. Constitution protects the
right for news outlets to freely disseminate information and opinions to the masses. This
allows journalists to act as watchdogs over government officials and other influential
newsmakers.
Fixer - Answers - an associate, typically a local journalist, who helps arrange meetings
and travel, translate interviews, and report stories with foreign correspondents.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - Answers - This law, enacted in 1967, requires
federal agencies to disclose public information upon formal request (unless it falls under
the exemptions of "personal privacy, national security, [or] law enforcement.")
graf - Answers - This short-hand simply refers to a shortened version of the word
"paragraph."
Hard News - Answers - Certain news stories, particularly ones related to politics, war,
terrorism, or natural disasters, require immediate coverage. These news articles cut
, straight to the facts, only reporting the most important information needed to understand
the story
HED (Headline) - Answers - The hed refers to the title of the news story
Hold For Release(H.F.R) - Answers - Material on "H.F.R." can not be published by the
news outlet before an agreed-upon release deadline.
Hold for orders (H.F.O) - Answers - Sometimes, articles are drafted months in
advance, in anticipation of events to come. These "Hold For Orders" (H.F.O.s) typically
cover scheduled events such as elections and sports games, but they can also be
written in anticipation of newsworthy occurrences. Reporters often draft multiple
versions of these articles, preparing for all possible outcomes
Hyperlocal news - Answers - events and information that are most important to their
immediate and local audience
Investigative journalism - Answers - Investigative journalism refers to reporting that
reveals hidden scandals and other closeted skeletons. These pieces usually demand
more time and research than other news stories, since they involve unearthing
information that powerful figures have gone to great lengths to keep secret.
Kicker - Answers - essentially refers to a witty phrase or remark that catches a reader's
attention.
kill - Answers - In the newsroom, this term refers to the act of deleting a section of
copy (see above) or an entire news story.
Libeel - Answers - a written form of defamation, refers to the publishing of false
statements to damage a person or organization's reputation
Line - Answers - Banner
literal - Answers - another word for a typo or spelling mistake.
masthead - Answers - An area in a newsletter, typically placed on the second page,
that includes the publisher's contact information and reprint policy.
microlocal journalism - Answers - hyperlocal journalism synonym
morgue - Answers - refers to a library of back issues or news clippings stored within a
news building
Nameplate - Answers - The area at the top of the first page of a newsletter that
contains the title and date of the publication.
