Newsroom Decisions
A draft reads smoothly, but the reporter has no evidence for its central claim. Choose the next step: A) Publish it. B) Hold it for verification. C) Fix the punctuation.
B) Hold it for verification. Polished writing cannot substitute for evidence supporting the main claim.
A feature opens with a strong scene. Which paragraph should appear near the opening to explain the central issue and why readers should care: a nut graph or a source biography?
A nut graph. It establishes the story’s focus and significance so readers understand the scene’s purpose.
A landlord calls an apartment complex “the cheapest in the county.” Which evidence is needed: one tenant’s opinion or current, comparable rent data from across the county?
Current, comparable rent data from across the county. A sweeping price claim needs evidence covering the comparison, not just one person’s experience.
Repair this comma splice by adding a conjunction: “The lights dimmed, the film began.”
“The lights dimmed, and the film began.” Adding “and” joins the two independent clauses correctly.
Verified facts: A museum will offer free admission on two Sundays in May. Which headline is accurate? A) Museum ends admission fees. B) Museum offers two free Sundays in May.
B) Museum offers two free Sundays in May. It preserves the limited dates rather than promising a permanent change.
A pet-photo gallery gets the most clicks, but readers keep asking how to apply for disaster aid. Choose the stronger plan: A) Publish only pet photos. B) Use engagement data alongside readers’ practical information needs.
B) Use engagement data alongside readers’ practical information needs. Clicks are useful evidence, but they are not the only measure of audience value.
A draft discusses rehearsal costs in paragraphs 2, 7 and 10, with costume costs scattered between them. Choose the first revision: A) Group related costs into a clear section. B) Replace every verb.
A) Group related costs into a clear section. Fix the organization before polishing individual sentences.
A dog park’s social account polls its followers; 45 of 50 respondents want a larger park. Choose the supported statement: A) 90% of city residents want a larger park. B) 90% of respondents to the dog park’s poll want a larger park.
B) 90% of respondents to the dog park’s poll want a larger park. Explain who was surveyed and how they were recruited; followers do not necessarily represent the city.
Choose the correct sentence: A) The box of microphones needs fewer cables and less storage space. B) The box of microphones need less cables and fewer storage space.
A) The box of microphones needs fewer cables and less storage space. “Box” takes “needs”; countable cables take “fewer”; storage space takes “less.”
Headline: “Neighborhood bakery starts delivery.” Choose the subhead that adds information: A) Bakery begins delivering orders. B) Customers within two miles can order breakfast until 10 a.m.
B) Customers within two miles can order breakfast until 10 a.m. It adds service area and timing instead of restating the headline.
The copy desk, photo desk and design desk need a coordinated production schedule. Which role normally oversees that workflow: managing editor or individual reporter?
Managing editor. This role coordinates newsroom operations, staffing, resources and deadlines across desks.
A story announces a free health-screening event and gives its date and location. It never says who can attend or how to register. Which macro issue is primary: completeness or punctuation?
Completeness. Readers need eligibility and registration details to act on the information.
A story says a theater refused refunds. The reporter has spoken only with disappointed ticket buyers. What must the reporter give the theater before publication?
A meaningful opportunity to respond to the specific refund criticism. Accurately report the response or the outcome of outreach.
Only some of the camp’s cabins have fireplaces. Choose the sentence that identifies those cabins: A) The cabins that have fireplaces cost more. B) The cabins, which have fireplaces, cost more.
A) The cabins that have fireplaces cost more. The essential clause identifies a subset. The comma version presents fireplaces as additional information about all the cabins under discussion.
A photo shows a runner crossing a finish line. Before calling the runner “the winner,” what specific fact must the caption writer verify?
The runner’s official finishing place. Crossing the finish line in a photo does not establish that the person won.
A story gives the wrong opening date for a public clinic. The error could send readers there while it is closed. Choose the response: A) Silently replace the date. B) Verify the date, fix it and add a clear correction note.
B) Verify the date, fix it and add a clear correction note. A material error should be corrected transparently.
The council has not voted on a proposed pool renovation. Choose the accurate wording: A) The city will renovate the pool this summer. B) If approved, the renovation would begin this summer. Assume summer is the verified proposed start.
B) If approved, the renovation would begin this summer. It distinguishes a proposal from an approved action.
A proposed neighborhood story would simply repeat an already-distributed festival flyer. It is timely and relevant to readers. Which publication test is weakest: news value, audience value or information value?
Information value. The story needs original reporting that adds useful information beyond what readers already have.
Fix the age style and tighten the wording: “The thirteen year old actor made the decision to leave the production.”
“The 13-year-old actor decided to leave the production.” Use figures and hyphens for the age before a noun, and replace “made the decision” with “decided.”
A source says, “I almost quit the orchestra after our first tour.” Which next question demonstrates active listening? A) What happened on that tour that made you consider quitting? B) What is your favorite color?
A) What happened on that tour that made you consider quitting? It follows the source’s answer and asks for relevant details.
A verified newspaper investigation becomes a 45-second video. Which must remain intact: A) Every original sentence. B) Accuracy, essential context and attribution.
B) Accuracy, essential context and attribution. Length, order and presentation can change to suit the video format.
A writer’s sentence is clear, accurate and consistent with house style. An editor wants to replace it only because they prefer their own phrasing. What should the editor preserve?
The writer’s voice. Personal preference alone is not a sufficient editorial reason to replace effective wording.
An official says a museum has “twice as many visitors.” Records show 600 visits this year and 300 last year, but some people visited repeatedly. Which statement is supported: twice as many visits or twice as many different people?
Twice as many visits. The records count visits, not unique visitors. Do not turn an accurate total into an unsupported claim about people.
Apply AP title and address style: “governor Maya Ortiz spoke at 92 Laurel Boulevard. Ortiz, the Governor, has an office on Laurel Blvd.”
“Gov. Maya Ortiz spoke at 92 Laurel Blvd. Ortiz, the governor, has an office on Laurel Boulevard.” Abbreviate the formal title before the name; lowercase it after the name. Abbreviate Boulevard with a numbered address, but spell it out without a number.
A source says, “The theater was a disaster.” Choose the follow-up most likely to produce reportable evidence: A) Can you describe a specific problem and what happened? B) Would you call it a total disaster or an absolute disaster?
A) Can you describe a specific problem and what happened? It seeks concrete detail rather than encouraging a stronger unsupported judgment.