The Writing Process
What is the first step in writing a news story?
Planning (choose an angle and sources)
What are the key elements of a lead?
Who, what, when, where, why, and how.
True or False: numbers one through nine be spelled out in AP style
True
What does attribution mean in journalism?
Giving credit to sources for quotes and information.
What should a journalist do before conducting an interview?
Research the subject and prepare thoughtful questions.
What should you do during the research phase?
Interview sources, take notes, verify facts.
What’s the difference between a news article and a feature story?
News articles are fact-based and objective; feature stories are narrative-driven and human-interest focused.
True or False
The semicolon in this sentence is used correctly:
The storm is coming; we need to find shelter.
True
What should you do if you're unsure whether to attribute information?
Attribute it anyway.
What kind of questions should journalists ask to get detailed responses?
Open-ended questions.
hat is the difference between revising and editing?
Revising focuses on content and structure; editing focuses on grammar and mechanics.
What’s the purpose of an op-ed?
To express a personal opinion or argument.
What is a comma splice?
Two independent clauses incorrectly joined by a comma.
Ex. We went to the store, I got the new Astro game.
What is the best way to ensure accuracy in journalism?
Verify information with multiple sources.
Why should journalists use a mix of primary and secondary sources?
To ensure a balance between firsthand information and expert analysis.
What structure do news stories typically follow?
The inverted pyramid.
What is the last section of an inverted pyramid story called?
Background information.
What is faulty parallelism?
A sentence where not all items are expressed in the same grammatical way.
Ex. I like to bake, cook, and crocheting.
What kind of sources should journalists prioritize for fact-based news?
Primary sources like government reports, academic journals, and direct interviews.
True or False: It is acceptable for a journalist to change a direct quote slightly to make it clearer or more grammatically correct.
A journalist should never alter a direct quote. If a quote is unclear, they can paraphrase it while maintaining the meaning or use brackets for minor clarifications.
Why is it important to fact-check your research?
To ensure accuracy and credibility.
Why does the inverted pyramid help editors?
It allows them to cut from the bottom without losing key information.
How should titles be formatted in AP Style when used before and after a name?
Capitalize formal titles when used before a name (e.g., President Joe Biden), but lowercase them when used after a name (e.g., Joe Biden, the president).
How can a journalist avoid bias in their reporting?
Use neutral language and present multiple perspectives.
What ethical rule should journalists follow when interviewing a source?
Always be upfront about their identity and purpose.