Understanding News Article Structure

What is the main purpose of the headline in a news article?

• To provide background information

• To grab the reader’s attention and summarize the main point

• To list the sources used

• To give the reporter’s opinion

Which part of a news article typically answers the questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how?

• The conclusion

• The lead (lede) paragraph

• The byline

• The caption

What is the function of the byline in a news article?

• To provide a summary of the article

• To state the name of the author

• To list the sources

• To give the date of publication

Which section of a news article provides additional details and supporting information after the main facts have been presented?

• The headline

• The body

• The byline

• The dateline

What is the purpose of the dateline in a news article?

• To show the article’s title

• To indicate where and when the story was reported

• To summarize the article

• To provide the author’s name

Which of the following best describes the “inverted pyramid” structure used in news writing?

• Presenting the least important information first

• Starting with the most important information and following with less important details

• Listing facts in alphabetical order

• Using only direct quotes

What is typically found at the end of a news article?

• The headline

• The lead

• Additional background information or quotes

• The byline

Which of the following is NOT a typical component of a news article?

• Headline

• Lead

• Plot twist

• Body

Why are direct quotes often included in news articles?

• To make the article longer

• To provide evidence and add credibility

• To confuse the reader

• To summarize the article

What is the main difference between the lead and the body of a news article?

• The lead contains the author’s opinion, while the body does not

• The lead summarizes the main facts, while the body provides supporting details

• The body is always shorter than the lead

• The lead is written last