Chapter 15 True/False Self-Quiz

. Reporters assigned to cover speeches or meetings usually write two kinds of stories: an advance story and a follow story.

. Advance stories are published the day a speech or meeting is announced or shortly thereafter.

. Reporters never will be assigned to cover speeches about topics with which they are unfamiliar.

. Reporters who cover speeches often try to talk to a speaker so they can clarify issues or get additional information.

. Advance stories are longer than follow stories and are harder to write.

. The fluid nature of most meetings makes identifying a central point easy.

. If a speech or meeting involves several important topics, reporters usually focus on the most newsworthy in the lead and summarize the others in the next two or three paragraphs.

. If several important topics were discussed at a meeting, reporters should avoid giving details about the minor topics and simply report the topics were discussed or considered.

. Quotations make good summary leads, but cannot be effectively used in anecdotal or delayed leads.

. The agendas for meetings usually reflect the importance of the topics discussed, so journalists should report events in the order in which they occurred.

. Transitions should be brief.

. Websites like PolitiFact and FactCheck are not reliable sources for journalists to use.

. If a defamatory personal attack is made at a speech or meeting that is not an official government proceeding, the person who is attacked may sue for libel both the speaker and any news organizations that report the statement.

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