Journalism Journalism TerminologyTerminology

Mr. McCallumMr. McCallum

ArtArt

Photos, maps, charts, graphs, Photos, maps, charts, graphs, illustrations. illustrations.

Art dresses up the paper and makes Art dresses up the paper and makes it visually appealing. it visually appealing.

Each story should be examined for Each story should be examined for art possibilities. (See the art possibilities. (See the graphicgraphic entry.) entry.)

ArtArt

AssignmentAssignment

A story a reporter has been given to A story a reporter has been given to research and write. A reporter is research and write. A reporter is often “on assignment.” often “on assignment.”

BannerBanner

The biggest headline atop the front The biggest headline atop the front page, usually running the entire page, usually running the entire width of the page. width of the page.

Banners are often used on the Banners are often used on the biggest news stories. biggest news stories.

BannerBanner

BeatBeat A specialty area of coverage. A specialty area of coverage. Some reporters are assigned an area to Some reporters are assigned an area to

specialize in: police, courts, city hall, the specialize in: police, courts, city hall, the statehouse, science, medicine, public statehouse, science, medicine, public schools, etc. These “beat reporters” are schools, etc. These “beat reporters” are responsible for covering the news on their responsible for covering the news on their beats. Another meaning equates “beat” beats. Another meaning equates “beat” with “scoop.”  “We got the beat on the story with “scoop.”  “We got the beat on the story despite plenty of competition.” In other despite plenty of competition.” In other words, they got the story first. Student words, they got the story first. Student papers can have beat reporters, too. papers can have beat reporters, too.

BudgetBudget

A list of stories planned for the next A list of stories planned for the next edition. edition.

Each budget item includes the Each budget item includes the reporter’s name, what kind of art is reporter’s name, what kind of art is available for the story and the available for the story and the approximate length in inches.  approximate length in inches. 

School papers might want to add School papers might want to add deadline information. deadline information.

BylineByline

Identifies who the story is by, hence Identifies who the story is by, hence the word. The name of the reporter the word. The name of the reporter who writes the story usually appears who writes the story usually appears at the top of the story. The name of at the top of the story. The name of the paper is often part of the byline: the paper is often part of the byline:

By Susan Lampert SmithBy Susan Lampert SmithWisconsin State JournalWisconsin State Journal

BylineByline

CirculationCirculation

The number of papers sold. The number of papers sold. Dailies usually list two circulation Dailies usually list two circulation

numbers: daily (Monday through numbers: daily (Monday through Saturday) and Sunday. Sunday Saturday) and Sunday. Sunday circulation is often higher than daily circulation is often higher than daily circulation.circulation.

Some daily papers have a circulation Some daily papers have a circulation of several million. Some weekly papers of several million. Some weekly papers have a circulation of a few hundred. have a circulation of a few hundred.

City DeskCity Desk

This department of a newspaper This department of a newspaper consists of local reporters and their consists of local reporters and their editors. They work in the city room or editors. They work in the city room or the newsroom. Sports, business and the newsroom. Sports, business and features reporters do not work for features reporters do not work for the city desk, but have their own the city desk, but have their own departments. departments.

ColumnColumn

There are two meanings. A column is There are two meanings. A column is an article containing opinion or an article containing opinion or commentary written by a columnist.commentary written by a columnist.

It is also a vertical strip of type. Most It is also a vertical strip of type. Most American papers have six columns. American papers have six columns. Thirty years ago, they had nine. Thirty years ago, they had nine. Many school papers, produced on 8-Many school papers, produced on 8-and-a-half by 11-inch sheets, have and-a-half by 11-inch sheets, have two columns. two columns.

ColumnColumn

CopyCopy

Stories or articles that are written by Stories or articles that are written by reporters and editors. “Max Wright’s reporters and editors. “Max Wright’s copy is very clean.” That means that copy is very clean.” That means that Max’s copy has few typographical, Max’s copy has few typographical, grammatical or spelling errors.grammatical or spelling errors.

““Clean copy” is an important goal. Clean copy” is an important goal. Copy should be perfect when it is Copy should be perfect when it is completed by the reporter.completed by the reporter.

Copy EditorCopy Editor Someone who edits copy, checking for Someone who edits copy, checking for

spelling, grammar, typographical and factual spelling, grammar, typographical and factual errorserrors

Copy editors can also change copy to make it Copy editors can also change copy to make it better organized and more compelling.better organized and more compelling.

Copy editors also write headlines and design Copy editors also write headlines and design pages. Reporters do not write headlines for pages. Reporters do not write headlines for their stories. Students can play two roles -- their stories. Students can play two roles -- reporter and copy editor. They should copy-reporter and copy editor. They should copy-edit someone else’s work, but they should edit someone else’s work, but they should proofread their own copy before turning it in. proofread their own copy before turning it in.

Credit LineCredit Line

A line of type acknowledging who A line of type acknowledging who took a photograph or produced a took a photograph or produced a graphic element. graphic element.

Credit LineCredit Line

CutCut

Making a story shorter by “making a cut.” Making a story shorter by “making a cut.” Traditional newspaper stories are written Traditional newspaper stories are written

with the most important information at the with the most important information at the top and the least important information at top and the least important information at the bottom. That makes it easy to “cut the bottom. That makes it easy to “cut from the bottom” in case the story doesn’t from the bottom” in case the story doesn’t fit the space available. Stories that use fit the space available. Stories that use different organizational structures, such as different organizational structures, such as the narrative, should not be cut from the the narrative, should not be cut from the bottom. bottom.

Inverted PyramidInverted Pyramid

Oh no!Oh no!

Oh no!

That story is too long to fit on my spread!

Inverted PyramidInverted Pyramid

Now we’re talking!Now we’re talking!

That’s AMAZING!

It fits and it still makes sense!

I think I’ll eat an apple and have some lemonade!

CutlineCutline

The caption beneath a photograph. The caption beneath a photograph. Look at the picture carefully before writing Look at the picture carefully before writing

a cutline and try not to state the obvious. a cutline and try not to state the obvious. Instead, provide information to Instead, provide information to supplement the information that is already supplement the information that is already in the picture. Wrong: “Jefferson Principal in the picture. Wrong: “Jefferson Principal Mary Parks sits atop the roof” Right: Mary Parks sits atop the roof” Right: “Jefferson Principal Mary Parks spent three “Jefferson Principal Mary Parks spent three hours on the school roof after her students hours on the school roof after her students read 1,000 books.” read 1,000 books.”

DatelineDateline

The information between the byline The information between the byline and the story that identifies where a and the story that identifies where a story originates. Sometimes the story originates. Sometimes the dateline also includes the date, dateline also includes the date, depending on the paper’s policy. depending on the paper’s policy. Stories produced locally do not have Stories produced locally do not have datelines. datelines.

DatelineDateline

DeadlineDeadline The time at which copy must be turned in or The time at which copy must be turned in or

at which the final page of the newspaper is at which the final page of the newspaper is composed. Missing a deadline can cost composed. Missing a deadline can cost hundreds of dollars because truckers are hundreds of dollars because truckers are paid to wait when they cannot fill up with paid to wait when they cannot fill up with their allotment of papers on time. If trucks their allotment of papers on time. If trucks are late, carriers get their papers late and are late, carriers get their papers late and deliver them to readers late. That makes deliver them to readers late. That makes readers mad and they may stop reading the readers mad and they may stop reading the paper. Deadlines are critical, whether they paper. Deadlines are critical, whether they are daily, weekly or monthly. Work must be are daily, weekly or monthly. Work must be done on time. done on time.

EditorialEditorial There are two meanings. One refers to an article There are two meanings. One refers to an article

that expresses an opinion. Editorials are run on that expresses an opinion. Editorials are run on editorial pages that are reserved for expressions of editorial pages that are reserved for expressions of opinion: editorials, columns, letters to the editor opinion: editorials, columns, letters to the editor and editorials reprinted from other papers. and editorials reprinted from other papers. Columnists also write opinionated pieces, either for Columnists also write opinionated pieces, either for the editorial page or elsewhere. For example, the editorial page or elsewhere. For example, many sports pages have columnists who  comment many sports pages have columnists who  comment on various aspects of sports. Their columns should on various aspects of sports. Their columns should be clearly marked as opinion. Writers who review be clearly marked as opinion. Writers who review plays, movies and performances also express plays, movies and performances also express opinions. That’s their function. Again, these pieces opinions. That’s their function. Again, these pieces should be clearly identified. should be clearly identified.

EditorialEditorial

Editorial CartoonEditorial Cartoon

OpinionsOpinions

Reporters should not put their opinions in Reporters should not put their opinions in news and feature stories. Keep opinions on news and feature stories. Keep opinions on the editorial page, in columns and in the editorial page, in columns and in reviews. Many student writers are tempted reviews. Many student writers are tempted to add “moral tags” to the bottom of news to add “moral tags” to the bottom of news and feature stories. For example, a story and feature stories. For example, a story about a new teacher may end with:  about a new teacher may end with:  “We’re all glad Mr. Smith is here!” That’s a “We’re all glad Mr. Smith is here!” That’s a moral tag and should be avoided. Notice moral tag and should be avoided. Notice the exclamation mark. Avoid it as well. the exclamation mark. Avoid it as well.

Feature StoryFeature Story

A story not based on “breaking A story not based on “breaking news.” In other words, its interest news.” In other words, its interest lies in some factor other than the lies in some factor other than the news value.news value.

A profile of a school principal is a A profile of a school principal is a feature. A story about the history of feature. A story about the history of the school building is a feature. A the school building is a feature. A story about a fire in the school story about a fire in the school kitchen is a news story. kitchen is a news story.

Five W’sFive W’s

Five W’sFive W’s -- Who, what, when, where, -- Who, what, when, where, why (or sometimes H for How). These why (or sometimes H for How). These are the major questions answered in are the major questions answered in the lead (or lede) of a well-written news the lead (or lede) of a well-written news story using the traditional inverted-story using the traditional inverted-pyramid structure. That structure puts pyramid structure. That structure puts the most important information in the the most important information in the first paragraph and the least important first paragraph and the least important in the last paragraph. in the last paragraph.

5 W Lead5 W Lead Who

WhatWhere

When

Why

How

Sample LeadSample Lead

The Green Bay Packers beat the The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 38-9 Sunday Chicago Bears 38-9 Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field by using afternoon at Lambeau Field by using a devastating defense and a a devastating defense and a balanced offensebalanced offense. .

FlagFlag

The name of the paper atop the front The name of the paper atop the front page. It’s the flag because it flies above page. It’s the flag because it flies above the rest of the page. the rest of the page.

Front PageFront Page

The first page of the paper where the The first page of the paper where the most interesting and most most interesting and most newsworthy stories are placed. newsworthy stories are placed.

Front Page, Above the FoldFront Page, Above the Fold

GraphicGraphic

A chart, graph, map or similar device used to A chart, graph, map or similar device used to help tell a story. A graphic is usually used in help tell a story. A graphic is usually used in conjunction with a story. It can provide conjunction with a story. It can provide details that can be eliminated from the story. details that can be eliminated from the story. Sometimes a graphic can stand alone and be Sometimes a graphic can stand alone and be the entire story. Students who are handy with the entire story. Students who are handy with a computer can be graphics editors. For a computer can be graphics editors. For example, a story that surveys students about example, a story that surveys students about their favorite entertainer can be their favorite entertainer can be accompanied by a bar chart that lists the top accompanied by a bar chart that lists the top five or 10 entertainers. five or 10 entertainers.

HeadlineHeadline

Summarizes the story.  Often written as Summarizes the story.  Often written as “hed.’’ Many school papers rely on “hed.’’ Many school papers rely on boring “label heads,” two or three boring “label heads,” two or three words that fail to attract the reader: words that fail to attract the reader: “10th-grade news,” “Field Trip,” “Mrs. “10th-grade news,” “Field Trip,” “Mrs. Jones,” etc. Use verbs and complete Jones,” etc. Use verbs and complete thoughts in headlines. “10th-graders thoughts in headlines. “10th-graders study rain forest,” “Giraffes are big hit study rain forest,” “Giraffes are big hit on field trip,” “Mrs. Jones raises goats.” on field trip,” “Mrs. Jones raises goats.”

JumpJump

The part of the story that continues The part of the story that continues on another page. The introduction to on another page. The introduction to the jump on the first page is called the jump on the first page is called the “jump line.” “See ‘giraffes’ on the “jump line.” “See ‘giraffes’ on Page 4” or “Continued on Page 4.” Page 4” or “Continued on Page 4.” The jumped story should be clearly The jumped story should be clearly labeled. “Mrs. Jones, continued from labeled. “Mrs. Jones, continued from Page 1.” Page 1.”

JumpJump

MastheadMasthead

Lists the top management of Lists the top management of the paper. On student the paper. On student papers, it can list the entire papers, it can list the entire staff. staff.

ProofreadProofread

Reading every letter of every word in the Reading every letter of every word in the paper to make sure everything is spelled paper to make sure everything is spelled correctly. Every reporter should correctly. Every reporter should proofread every story before turning it in. proofread every story before turning it in. An editor should proofread every page, An editor should proofread every page, including headlines, bylines, cutlines and including headlines, bylines, cutlines and graphics, before the paper is printed.  graphics, before the paper is printed.  Always use the computer spell-checker, Always use the computer spell-checker, but remember that it can fail you in but remember that it can fail you in embarrassing ways. embarrassing ways.

RefersRefers

They appear on Page 1 and tell the They appear on Page 1 and tell the readers about stories inside the readers about stories inside the paper. They are a quick and easy paper. They are a quick and easy way to fill holes on the front page way to fill holes on the front page when stories run short. “Tenth-when stories run short. “Tenth-graders meet the giraffes. See Page graders meet the giraffes. See Page 5.” 5.”

RefersRefers

SidebarSidebar

A short story related to the main A short story related to the main story and run adjacent to it.  A story and run adjacent to it.  A sidebar develops one angle of the sidebar develops one angle of the main story. main story.

Top LineTop Line

The biggest headline on the front The biggest headline on the front page, sometimes called the banner. page, sometimes called the banner.

Editorial DepartmentEditorial Department

The news department of a The news department of a newspaper, responsible for all newspaper, responsible for all content of the newspaper except content of the newspaper except advertising. At some papers this advertising. At some papers this term refers to the department term refers to the department responsible for the editorial page responsible for the editorial page only. only.

EditorializeEditorialize

To inject the reporter's or the To inject the reporter's or the newspaper's opinion into a news newspaper's opinion into a news story or headline. Most newspapers story or headline. Most newspapers restrict opinion to analysis stories, restrict opinion to analysis stories, columns and editorials. columns and editorials.

information graphicinformation graphic

A visual representation of data.A visual representation of data.

Lay OutLay Out

lay out (v.) lay out (v.) The process of The process of preparing page drawings to indicate preparing page drawings to indicate where stories and pictures are to be where stories and pictures are to be placed in the newspaper. placed in the newspaper.

layout (n.)layout (n.) The completed page The completed page drawing, or page dummy. drawing, or page dummy.

LeadLead

(1) The first paragraph or first (1) The first paragraph or first several paragraphs of a newspaper several paragraphs of a newspaper story (sometimes spelled lede);story (sometimes spelled lede);

(2) the story given the best display (2) the story given the best display on Page One; on Page One;

(3) a tip. (3) a tip.

LeadLead

LibelLibel

Damage to a person's reputation Damage to a person's reputation caused by a false written statement caused by a false written statement that brings the person into hatred, that brings the person into hatred, contempt or ridicule, or injures his or contempt or ridicule, or injures his or her business or occupational pursuit. her business or occupational pursuit.

NutgraphNutgraph

A paragraph that summarizes the A paragraph that summarizes the key element or elements of the story. key element or elements of the story.

Usually found in a story not written in Usually found in a story not written in inverted pyramid form. inverted pyramid form.

Op Ed PageOp Ed Page

The page opposite the editorial page, The page opposite the editorial page, frequently reserved for columns, frequently reserved for columns, letters to the editor and personality letters to the editor and personality profiles. profiles.

Open Ended QuestionOpen Ended Question

One that permits the respondent One that permits the respondent some latitude in the answer; for some latitude in the answer; for example, "How did you get involved example, "How did you get involved in politics?" in politics?"

PollPoll

The measurement of opinion by The measurement of opinion by questioning members of some small questioning members of some small group chosen at random so as to be group chosen at random so as to be representative of the entire group. representative of the entire group.

A poll is also referred to as a survey A poll is also referred to as a survey or public opinion poll. or public opinion poll.

ProfileProfile

A story intended to reveal the A story intended to reveal the personality or character of an personality or character of an institution or person.institution or person.

Soft NewsSoft News

Stories about trends, personalities or Stories about trends, personalities or lifestyles. The time element usually is lifestyles. The time element usually is not important.not important.

Hard NewsHard News

Coverage of the actions of Coverage of the actions of government or business; or the government or business; or the reporting of an event, such as a reporting of an event, such as a crime, an accident or a speech. The crime, an accident or a speech. The time element often is important.time element often is important.

SourcesSources

People or records from which a People or records from which a reporter gets information. The term reporter gets information. The term often is used to describe persons, as often is used to describe persons, as opposed to documents. opposed to documents.