Quiz: Journalism students – how well do you know your jargon?

15 Nov 2019

Robert Fisk. Anderson Cooper. Barbara Walters. Christiane Amanpour. Jamal Khashoggi.

These names might ring a bell if you’re a journalism student. There’s never been a more exciting time to be a journalist than today, what with the rise of the digital age.

Regardless whether your interest lies in fashion, current affairs, politics, science or even sports, there’s bound to be a beat that suits your personal and professional interests. So, whether you’re a first or final year student, how well do you know your journalism jargon?

Let’s put your knowledge to the test!

What’s a news angle?

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Your theme or focus of a story.

The angle of your cover photo for a lead story.

Correct! Wrong!

Which of the following best describes the meaning of ‘kicker’?

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A kicker is the big reveal of a story.

A kicker is the first few words of a story's lead, or a paragraph that concludes or summarizes an article.

Correct! Wrong!

What’s a byline?

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It’s the name of the person who wrote the story.

It’s the term used when a story is too old to be used.

Correct! Wrong!

What’s a leading question?

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A question that subtly prompts the respondent to answer in a particular way.

A question that does not prompt the respondent to answer in a particular way.

Correct! Wrong!

Which of the following best explains what ‘on the record’ means?

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Information given by a source that can be used in a story.

Information by a source that cannot be used in a story.

Correct! Wrong!

What’s a slug?