News Writing
This is the first sentence of a news story.
What is the lede?
Except in certain circumstances like ages, any number less than this is spelled out with letters.
What is 10?
A broad definition of feature writing is that it is about anything besides this.
What is breaking news?
This is the legal term for defamation in written form.
What is libel?
This is when you are writing about details of a future event that hasn't happened yet.
What is an event preview?
This is the paragraph that provides context and makes a case for why this story must be read now.
What is the nutgraph?
These are the months of the year that are never abbreviated in AP Style.
What are March, April, May, June and July?
Unlike a hard news lead, this is when the writer does not immediately cover the five Ws and instead begins their story with a scene or anecdote, which is popular in feature writing.
What is a delayed lead?
The written form of defamation is often confused with the spoken form of defamation, which is called this.
What is slander?
This is when you're writing about the details of an event after it has already occurred.
What is post-event coverage?
This is the term used to describe the structure of a news story where the most important information is presented first, and the details decrease in importance as the story progresses.
What is inverted pyramid?
This is the way you would format "eight o'clock in the evening" in AP Style.
What is 8 p.m.?
This is the tree-themed word used to describe the fact that feature stories are always in bloom, or never get old.
What is evergreen?
This is an elected or appointed member of government.
Who is a public official?
This is when you are conveying the details of an event at the exact time it's happening, as with a radio or television broadcast.
What is live event coverage?
This is when you summarize what someone else said without directly quoting them.
What is paraphrasing?
These two words are never to be used to describe the day before today, or the day after today.
What are yesterday and tomorrow?
The best feature stories carry an obvious connection to current events or trends, otherwise known as this.
What is a news peg?
In order to win a libel case, the plaintiff must prove that the reporter or organization acted with reckless disregard for the truth, otherwise known as this term.
What is actual malice?
Unlike topical speeches or discussions, it is particularly important/desirable to get a variety of viewpoints at events of this kind of nature.
What is partisan/political events?
In journalism, it is the act of crediting all information, quotes and opinions to an outside source.
What is attribution?
The AP does not use this prefix for someone's name unless they are an accredited medical physician.
What is Dr.?
This is the word used to describe the type of reporting that goes beyond the immediate events and digs deeper. It is also called "inside scoop" reporting.
This is when a journalist quotes something they know is not true, such as in court.
What is privilege?
This is a word for vivid, descriptive details about an event that go deeper than what is said at an event.