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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section 1: Chapter 1, "The Structure of Nonaction Information" through Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what implicit assertion about online writing does Foster make?
(a) It is capable of presenting hard news in a more timely fashion than print media can.
(b) It is often more accurate and more engaging than print media.
(c) It is nearly always lower quality than the writing in print sources.
(d) It is susceptible to fewer hidden biases and is therefore more objective.

2. What definition of "lede" does Foster give In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere"?
(a) A brief summary of or tease for the event described in an article.
(b) A short introductory piece of writing by an author who is not the author of the longer piece that follows.
(c) A news item that also contains opinion.
(d) A counterclaim to the main argument.

3. In Chapter 4, "The Parts You Don't Read," what is a piece of information that Foster says we can infer from the notes?
(a) The intended audience.
(b) The author's education.
(c) Potential biases.
(d) The author's purpose.

4. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," how does Foster define "specialty journalism"?
(a) The newspaper sports section.
(b) Forms of journalism devoted to a single subject area.
(c) Feature writing.
(d) Editorial writing.

5. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," what does Foster give as the basic meaning of "preface," "prologue," and "foreward"?
(a) In front.
(b) Ahead of.
(c) Leading.
(d) First word.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," Foster says that rules are determined by content, not codex. What does this mean?

2. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what does Foster say is the difference between "hard news" and "soft news"?

3. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," what problem does Foster say can arise if readers do not understand the forms of writing?

4. In Chapter 3, "The Power of the Prologue," why is "foreward" spelled with an "e" instead of as we usually see it, "forward"?

5. In Chapter 2, "The Ecology of the Nonfiction Biosphere," where does Foster say editorial content can usually be found in the newspaper?

(see the answer key)

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