Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does editorializing primarily involve in news writing?
What does editorializing primarily involve in news writing?
- Analyzing data without bias
- Providing factual information
- Expressing personal opinions (correct)
- Describing events objectively
Which of the following words should be avoided in news writing due to potential bias?
Which of the following words should be avoided in news writing due to potential bias?
- Only
- Green
- Influential (correct)
- Empty
What is a suitable replacement for the phrase 'a great many students attended'?
What is a suitable replacement for the phrase 'a great many students attended'?
- Every seat in the auditorium was filled (correct)
- Most students showed up
- There were numerous attendees
- Many students were impressed
How can journalists effectively convey the power of a public figure without editorializing?
How can journalists effectively convey the power of a public figure without editorializing?
Which of the following types of writing is most acceptable for expressing opinions?
Which of the following types of writing is most acceptable for expressing opinions?
Which type of adjectives are generally acceptable in news writing?
Which type of adjectives are generally acceptable in news writing?
Why should adverbs like 'fast' be avoided in news writing?
Why should adverbs like 'fast' be avoided in news writing?
Which verb should be avoided to maintain objectivity in news reporting?
Which verb should be avoided to maintain objectivity in news reporting?
What is referred to as a tip or suggestion for a story in journalism?
What is referred to as a tip or suggestion for a story in journalism?
What does the term 'slug' refer to in a newsroom?
What does the term 'slug' refer to in a newsroom?
Which term describes an article that is critical and derogatory toward a person or organization?
Which term describes an article that is critical and derogatory toward a person or organization?
What is the purpose of a roundup story?
What is the purpose of a roundup story?
What does a double byline indicate?
What does a double byline indicate?
Which term is used for a story that uncovers significant, not widely known information?
Which term is used for a story that uncovers significant, not widely known information?
What is typically the focus of a puff piece?
What is typically the focus of a puff piece?
What does the term 'lawyered' imply in journalism?
What does the term 'lawyered' imply in journalism?
What should be avoided when characterizing the number of items related to reporting?
What should be avoided when characterizing the number of items related to reporting?
Which of the following practices is recommended when establishing facts in a story?
Which of the following practices is recommended when establishing facts in a story?
What constitutes a 'usable source' for information?
What constitutes a 'usable source' for information?
In what structure should news stories be organized?
In what structure should news stories be organized?
Which of the following is an appropriate way to use attribution?
Which of the following is an appropriate way to use attribution?
What is a significant rule regarding the use of subjective characterizations in reporting?
What is a significant rule regarding the use of subjective characterizations in reporting?
What is the primary disadvantage of starting a news article with an obvious conclusion?
What is the primary disadvantage of starting a news article with an obvious conclusion?
Which phrase is recommended for indicating attribution?
Which phrase is recommended for indicating attribution?
How should frequency descriptions in reporting be handled?
How should frequency descriptions in reporting be handled?
Which statement best describes the structure of an essay compared to a news article?
Which statement best describes the structure of an essay compared to a news article?
What storytelling method is described as the 'Inverted Pyramid'?
What storytelling method is described as the 'Inverted Pyramid'?
Which type of source is generally acceptable for attribution in the lede?
Which type of source is generally acceptable for attribution in the lede?
Why is it advisable to avoid lengthy paragraphs in news writing?
Why is it advisable to avoid lengthy paragraphs in news writing?
What is the implication of using terms like 'powerful' in reporting?
What is the implication of using terms like 'powerful' in reporting?
What is the recommended approach when introducing a person in a news story?
What is the recommended approach when introducing a person in a news story?
When should the writer avoid predicting the future in reporting?
When should the writer avoid predicting the future in reporting?
Which terms can be used to categorize amounts correctly?
Which terms can be used to categorize amounts correctly?
What punctuation style should be followed when quoting someone in news writing?
What punctuation style should be followed when quoting someone in news writing?
What is a potential issue with using the word 'entourage' in reporting?
What is a potential issue with using the word 'entourage' in reporting?
Which of the following is a recommended practice for writing ledes in news stories?
Which of the following is a recommended practice for writing ledes in news stories?
Which reporting practice helps to ensure that the integrity of the official is maintained?
Which reporting practice helps to ensure that the integrity of the official is maintained?
What type of information should generally be avoided in hard-news stories?
What type of information should generally be avoided in hard-news stories?
Which is a characteristic of the 'kicker' in a news story?
Which is a characteristic of the 'kicker' in a news story?
Which term refers to the comprehensive coverage of a news topic over time?
Which term refers to the comprehensive coverage of a news topic over time?
What is a common mistake made in news writing concerning unnecessary words?
What is a common mistake made in news writing concerning unnecessary words?
In news writing, how should events be described to maintain clarity?
In news writing, how should events be described to maintain clarity?
Which of these best represents the purpose of using the subject-verb-object formula in sentences?
Which of these best represents the purpose of using the subject-verb-object formula in sentences?
What should be avoided when providing a conclusion in a news story?
What should be avoided when providing a conclusion in a news story?
Flashcards
Editorializing
Editorializing
Expressing personal opinions in news writing, which is generally considered inappropriate.
Opinionated Words
Opinionated Words
Words that express strong opinions, such as 'good', 'bad', 'overweight', etc.
Objective Reporting
Objective Reporting
Using specific details and facts to avoid subjective interpretations.
Editorializing Verbs
Editorializing Verbs
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Objectivity
Objectivity
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Quantifying Information
Quantifying Information
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Limiting Adverbs and Adjectives
Limiting Adverbs and Adjectives
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Conveying Information subtly
Conveying Information subtly
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Inverted Pyramid Structure
Inverted Pyramid Structure
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Lede
Lede
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Kicker
Kicker
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Source
Source
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Chronological Story
Chronological Story
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Short Paragraphs
Short Paragraphs
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Plain Language
Plain Language
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Third Person Perspective
Third Person Perspective
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Attribution
Attribution
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Past Tense
Past Tense
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Limited Adjectives
Limited Adjectives
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Clear Structure
Clear Structure
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Redundant Information
Redundant Information
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Unnecessary Summarization
Unnecessary Summarization
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Backup
Backup
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Inverted Pyramid
Inverted Pyramid
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Lawyered
Lawyered
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Usable Source
Usable Source
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Slug
Slug
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Beat
Beat
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Follow
Follow
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Clip job
Clip job
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Hatchet job
Hatchet job
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Puff piece
Puff piece
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Enterprise story
Enterprise story
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Study Notes
News Writing: Editorializing and Objectivity
- Avoid editorializing: News writing must be objective, avoiding opinions. Opinions belong on editorial pages, reviews, or clearly marked analysis pieces.
- Subjectivity in facts: Simply selecting which information to include implies a perspective, making complete objectivity impossible. Be cautious in the choice of information to feature.
- Avoid subjective language: Avoid descriptive words like “good,” “bad,” “important,” “powerful,” “fast,” etc., replacing them with specific facts.
- Use quantifiable data: Instead of "many students," use precise figures like "every seat filled, and 100 more watched in the lobby." Numbers and data are important.
- Specific descriptions: Instead of "fast car," report the car's speed. Provide concrete evidence.
- Avoid editorial verbs: Avoid words like "refuses," "claims," "admits," and subjective adverbs or adjectives.
- Use supporting facts: If a city councilperson is 'powerful,' provide evidence: bills passed, campaign donations.
- Present opposing views: Include counter-arguments and opposing sides in the story, presented fairly.
- Lawyered stories: Seek legal counsel to ensure the story doesn't contain libelous material.
News Writing: Attribution
- Attribution importance: Information should always have a source. Quotes, paraphrases, and summaries need to be attributed.
- Use attribution in ledes (lead paragraphs): When reporting speeches, rulings, or statements, attribute the information to the source, e.g., "The Census Bureau..."
- Crimes and investigations: Attribute details in crime stories, e.g., to the police.
- Attribution sequence: Generally, information then attribution. Use "said" or "according to" for attribution. Consider placing attribution first when the source is most crucial.
- Source selection: Use reputable sources like experts, government entities, or people with relevant authority. Interview sources in person, over the phone, or via email, clearly providing this to the reader.
- Multiple sources: If a source provides significant information, don't attribute in every sentence. Ensure clarity.
News Writing: Structure and Style
- Inverted Pyramid Structure: The most important information comes first, followed by less vital facts, culminating in the least crucial elements.
- Backup section: Provide supporting facts and details missing in the lede.
- Short paragraphs: Keep paragraphs concise (one or two sentences), facilitating quick editing.
- Minimize excessive words: Eliminate redundant words and phrases for conciseness, e.g., “Firefighters arrived at the blaze and were able to put it out within about 30 minutes” can be shortened to “Firefighters doused the blaze in 30 minutes."
- Subject-verb-object structure: Prioritize subject-verb-object sentence structures for easier readability.
- Past tense: News stories typically use the past tense.
- Avoid first-person: Avoid "I" in news stories.
- Full names and titles initially, last names afterward: When first mentioning a person, provide their title if appropriate (e.g., Lt. Jones). However, subsequent mentions should use only their last name.
- Avoid unnecessary adjectives: Don't elaborate on naturally understood details (e.g., fire is usually hot).
- No opinions or future predictions: Avoid injecting your opinions or predicting the future.
Additional News Writing Tips
- Summary ledes: The lede should concisely summarize the story, providing crucial information to the reader.
- Chronological facts: A factual account of events, presented chronologically. Include, for instance, the purchase, bite, shooting, chase, confession, arrest, guilty plea, sentencing, and escape.
- Clear attribution: The source of information needs to be clear (police, witnesses, documents, the official in charge...). Providing consistent attribution is critical.
- Avoiding repetition: Avoid repeating information as it can confuse the reader.
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Description
This quiz tests your understanding of objectivity in news writing, highlighting the importance of avoiding editorializing and subjective language. You'll learn how to choose specific facts and use quantifiable data to maintain an unbiased reporting style.
