Leads
50 questions available
Questions
According to the chapter on leads, what are the three basic things a television news lead must accomplish every time?
View answer and explanationWhat is the term for the common broadcast news writing problem where a past event is described using present-tense verbs, similar to how one might tell a joke?
View answer and explanationWhich of the following leads about a man who robbed a Quick-D Mart in the morning best exemplifies the 'real present tense' as described in the chapter?
View answer and explanationWhich type of lead is described as keeping something out to make the viewer curious?
View answer and explanationAccording to the list of things to avoid, why should writers refrain from telling viewers that the news is 'good, bad, or disappointing'?
View answer and explanationWhat is one of the four keys to successful leads that emphasizes a 'SUBJECT-VERB-OBJECT' structure?
View answer and explanationWhen is it considered acceptable to include a person's name, age, or address in a television news lead?
View answer and explanationWhat specific piece of advice is given regarding questions in a lead?
View answer and explanationThe chapter mentions a common and problematic writing habit of dropping verbs in a lead. Which of the following examples illustrates this mistake?
View answer and explanationWhat is the key reason given for reading a lead aloud before it goes on air?
View answer and explanationWhich lead type would be most appropriate for a story providing new developments on a major fire that was the top story the previous day?
View answer and explanationThe chapter advises writers to stay 'viewer-centric'. What example does it give of a news director encouraging this practice?
View answer and explanationWhat is the primary difference highlighted between a television news lead and a newspaper lead?
View answer and explanationWhy does the chapter advise against starting a story with the word 'another'?
View answer and explanationWhich of the following leads for a story about an uninjured baby who fell from a window is an example of a 'Connection with viewer' lead?
View answer and explanationWhat is the second key to successful leads, which advises against using the verb 'to be'?
View answer and explanationBased on the text, what is a primary reason to avoid 'dating' your story in the lead with words like 'yesterday'?
View answer and explanationHow does the chapter suggest rephrasing a question lead like 'Have you ever wondered how they time traffic lights?' to be more effective?
View answer and explanationWhat is the main danger of 'cramming too much information into the lead'?
View answer and explanationAccording to the chapter, which lead type would be exemplified by the sentence: 'LOU GEHRIG SAID HE WAS “THE LUCKIEST MAN ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.” IF HE COULD TALK… A BABY WOULD BE SAYING THE SAME THING TONIGHT.'?
View answer and explanationWhat does the text identify as a 'turn-off' that should be avoided when starting a lead?
View answer and explanationIn the scenario of a woman robbing a quilt shop and being arrested, what is the key principle behind writing a 'present-tense' lead for the evening news?
View answer and explanationWhat is the problem with a lead that includes the line 'don't congratulate each other'?
View answer and explanationWhich of the following sentences best demonstrates the use of a powerful verb instead of a noun, as recommended in the 'keys to successful leads'?
View answer and explanationWhat is the final key to a successful lead mentioned in the chapter, which involves treating viewers as 'selfish, self-centered people' to keep them engaged?
View answer and explanationIf a writer is crafting a lead for a story about a baby who fell out of a window and was saved by a pile of shaving cream, which lead type starts the story from the beginning?
View answer and explanationThe text provides an example of a past tense lead and a false present tense lead about a baby falling from a window. Which statement is the correct false present tense example?
View answer and explanationWhy does the chapter advise against giving orders like 'check this out' in a lead?
View answer and explanationIn the context of the chapter on leads, which tense is described as 'even better' than the preferred present-tense?
View answer and explanationWhat is the primary goal of a television news lead as described in the chapter?
View answer and explanationA story lead states: 'FIVE-THOUSAND CHILDREN FALL OUT OF WINDOWS EVERY YEAR. FOR MOST... IT GOES BADLY. BUT ONE LOCAL BABY ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY...THANKS TO A PILE OF SHAVING CREAM.' What type of lead is this?
View answer and explanationThe chapter gives a reason why journalists shouldn't label news as 'good' for some and 'bad' for others. What specific example is used to illustrate this point?
View answer and explanationWhat is the suggested correction for the dropped verb in the lead 'A MAN... IN JAIL TONIGHT'?
View answer and explanationThe chapter ends with a concluding thought about the lists, guidelines, rules, and laws presented. What is the author's hope for how these rules will be used by a writer?
View answer and explanationHow many basic things must a lead accomplish, according to the numbered list in the chapter?
View answer and explanationThe chapter lists four 'keys to successful leads'. Which of the following is NOT one of those four keys?
View answer and explanationWhen is it appropriate to use a person's age in a lead, according to the examples provided?
View answer and explanationWhat is the second purpose of a lead, as listed in the chapter's three-point list?
View answer and explanationWhich of the following leads for the quilt shop robbery story best captures a present-tense angle focused on the store owners?
View answer and explanationWhat is the reason lazy or rushed anchors sometimes get 'burned' when reading scripts cold?
View answer and explanationWhen the text states 'You can re-read a sentence in a newspaper or web story...Get it unclear on TV or radio and your audience is confused and lost,' what principle is it emphasizing?
View answer and explanationIn what situation does Rule number 1, 'Write to Video', supersede the rule to write in active voice?
View answer and explanationThe chapter mentions a news director who paid a producer 25 cents for a specific practice. What was this practice?
View answer and explanationWhat is wrong with the lead 'A MAN WALKS INTO A QUICK-D MART THIS MORNING...'?
View answer and explanationWhich lead example from the text uses the 'Connection with viewer' technique?
View answer and explanationWhy should a writer avoid a lead like 'This is the most disturbing thing you’ll hear all day'?
View answer and explanationWhat does it mean for a lead to 'set the tone' of a story?
View answer and explanationAccording to the text, good anchors will do what with a writer's script?
View answer and explanationWhich phrase is given as a better alternative to the ineffective lead question, 'Have you ever wondered how they time traffic lights?'
View answer and explanationWhat is the key difference between a 'false present' tense lead and a 'real present' tense lead?
View answer and explanation