Read each question carefully and then select the best answer.
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| 1 | |
Which of the following is NOT a common category that a feature would fall into at most publications? |
| | A) | science and technology |
| | B) | breaking news |
| | C) | health |
| | D) | lifestyles |
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| 2 | |
"Hard" and "soft" news are relative terms that describe both the topic and treatment of a story. Which of the following topics could go either way? |
| | A) | "Three Killed When Fire Breaks Out at Bridal Show" |
| | B) | "Bridal Assistant Shares Makeup Secrets" |
| | C) | "Mayor's Daughter Chosen Top Model for National Bridal Show" |
| | D) | "Groom Consultant Reveals Hot New Styles for Best-Dressed Grooms" |
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| 3 | |
Which of the following would you NOT do when planning a great feature? |
| | A) | look for story ideas constantly and start compiling a list |
| | B) | organize your ideas by topic |
| | C) | plan your story as close to publishing time as possible |
| | D) | mark timely or seasonal ideas on your calendar or compile a "tickler" file to plan stories ahead |
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| 4 | |
Asking yourself which the following questions would NOT help you tell if your story idea is a good one? |
| | A) | Is it timely? |
| | B) | Is the idea or angle original? |
| | C) | Does the story have motion, change, direction or something new? |
| | D) | Is the story true? |
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| 5 | |
Which of the following topics needs more focus? |
| | A) | the oldest WW II veteran alive |
| | B) | how to buy a diamond |
| | C) | Egypt |
| | D) | the first New Year baby born |
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| 6 | |
In the 1960s Tom Wolfe dubbed his new feature-writing style "The New Journalism." Which of the following was NOT a literary technique that reporters of the time began borrowing from novelists? |
| | A) | recording everyday details that contained the most symbolic meaning |
| | B) | over-dramatizing to make stories more interesting to read |
| | C) | vivid reconstruction of scenes |
| | D) | realistic dialogue |
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| 7 | |
Which of the following suggestions can help you write a successful feature story? |
| | A) | Keep it short. |
| | B) | Use as many quotes as possible. |
| | C) | Take advantage of using the feature story to cheerlead and ridicule. |
| | D) | Hold back one important fact to keep your reader interested. |
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| 8 | |
Which of the following would you NOT use as part of a short-form feature story structure? |
| | A) | a series of bullet items |
| | B) | diagrams |
| | C) | combining different short-form structures into a feature package |
| | D) | segueing paragraphs of text logically from one item/idea to another |
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| 9 | |
Writing in-depth profiles requires time and research. Which of the following statements is NOT true of writing profiles? |
| | A) | You may need to check the subject's credentials to verify education, position, awards and the like. |
| | B) | To avoid bias in your writing, it is best not to interview the subject personally. |
| | C) | You may need to research the Web, old news clips and other pertinent documents and sources. |
| | D) | Don't stick to the basic who-what-where-when-why format. |
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| 10 | |
Enterprise projects are special stories that reach beyond the ordinary. Which of the following is NOT an example of an enterprise story? |
| | A) | an in-depth profile of a family without medical insurance |
| | B) | a detailed look at how racism in the local high school is influencing the students and what may lie ahead |
| | C) | a detailed look at how a fire department decides what vehicles to send to an alarm |
| | D) | a detailed look at how an inspiring young politician deals with the increase in public dissatisfaction with government officials |
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| 11 | |
Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic elements of investigative reporting? |
| | A) | You should have an agenda that helps set the direction of the investigation. |
| | B) | The investigation is the work of the reporter, not a report on someone else's investigation. |
| | C) | The subject involves something of reasonable importance to the reader. |
| | D) | Others are attempting to hide these matters from the public. |
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| 12 | |
Which of the following would NOT be good advice for getting the information you need for investigative reporting? |
| | A) | Be skeptical of sources such as legitimate-looking documents and sympathetic politicians. Trust no one. |
| | B) | Wait until the police and lawyers have had a chance to talk to your sources or potential sources before you interview those sources. |
| | C) | Don't be tempted to do something illegal or unethical to get some juicy tidbit. |
| | D) | Remain objective and adhere to good journalistic practices. |
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| 13 | |
Which of the following is NOT an important part of package planning your feature? |
| | A) | an assembly-line process |
| | B) | summarizing the story idea |
| | C) | setting staff deadlines |
| | D) | including the photographer |
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| 14 | |
Short-form alternatives condense data into easy-to-read formats. Which of the following lists includes a plan that is NOT considered a short-form alternative format? |
| | A) | bio box, inverted pyramid, diagram |
| | B) | checklist, fast-facts box, quiz |
| | C) | step-by-step guide, quote collection, timeline |
| | D) | factual index, diagram, list |
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| 15 | |
To write an effective editorial, which of the following should you NOT do? |
| | A) | write a strong lead and a solid finish |
| | B) | attack issues, not personalities |
| | C) | keep it relevant |
| | D) | be a bully when necessary |
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| 16 | |
Opinion writing is NOT appropriate for which of the following? |
| | A) | columns |
| | B) | movie reviews |
| | C) | hard news |
| | D) | editorials |
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| 17 | |
Which of the following would NOT be an appropriate column topic? |
| | A) | football schedules |
| | B) | advice on relationships |
| | C) | celebrity gossip |
| | D) | gardening |
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| 18 | |
What would an effective columnist consider BAD advice? |
| | A) | Base your opinions on facts and present those facts. |
| | B) | You can base your opinions on reading previously printed stories. Columnists don't have to do their own reporting or interviewing. |
| | C) | Come up with fresh insights. |
| | D) | Choose topics that your readers will find worth reading. |
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| 19 | |
Which of the following is TRUE when writing reviews of movies, plays, books etc.? |
| | A) | It is appropriate for you to reveal surprise plot twists or endings. |
| | B) | Including phrases like I think or In my opinion is fine; after all, the review is your opinion. |
| | C) | You should criticize the performance, not the performer's appearance, personal life, political views, etc. |
| | D) | all of the above |
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| 20 | |
What would be BAD advice to give someone who is writing a review? |
| | A) | Don't be just a critic, be a reporter. You should provide accurate details and then explain why things did or didn't work. |
| | B) | Don't be afraid to show your personal biases. This is opinion writing after all. |
| | C) | Don't be pompous. Keep it simple. |
| | D) | Don't try to fake it. Be able to demonstrate an acceptable level of expertise. |
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