JOURNALISM

Journalism challenges members to demonstrate their knowledge of journalistic principles, media ethics, and the business of news through an objective test. This event encourages exploration of topics such as news writing, reporting, editing, and the evolving role of journalism in a digital economy.

 

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Educational Alignments

 

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Fully powered device for online test, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Items FBLA Provides: One piece of scratch paper per competitor, internet access, test login information

 Knowledge Areas

·         Basic Communication Skills  
·         Writing Skills
·         Editing
·         Fundamental Principles of Journalism  
·         Research and Investigation
·         Compose News Stories

Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines. 

District

Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.

 

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
·         Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site.

Scoring

·        

This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly. Each correct answer is worth one point. 
·         No points are deducted for incorrect answers.  
·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.
·         Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, watches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/

 


 

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives
This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly.

Basic Communication Skills (15 test items)  

  • Demonstrate active listening skills (CO:017, LAP-CO-017) (PQ)  

  • Explain the nature of effective verbal communications (CO:147) (PQ)  

  • Ask relevant questions (CO:058) (PQ)  

  • Interpret others' nonverbal cues (CO:059) (PQ)  

  • Employ communication styles appropriate to target audience (CO:084) (CS)  

  • Utilize note-taking strategies (CO:085) (CS)  

  • Organize information (CO:086) (CS)  

  

Writing Skills (15 test items)  

  • Demonstrate proper grammar  

  • Explain the nature of syntax and sentence structure  

  • Explain the nature of diction  

  • Establish tone  

  • Write an effective introduction and conclusion  

  • Describe the process of structuring an argument in written form  

  • Adapt writing for specific audiences  

  

Editing (10 test items)  

  • Monitor news stories as they move through the production chain  

  • Review and proofread news stories  

  • Apply formatting principles to news articles  

  • Manage supporting materials for news stories (e.g., photos, infographics, videos)  

  • Arrange and meet deadlines  

 

 

Fundamental Principles of Journalism (20 test items)  

  • Discuss types of news media (e.g., print, digital, broadcast)  

  • Describes types of news stories (e.g., news, features, editorials, columns, investigative reports)  

  • Discuss the legal rights and responsibilities of journalists  

  • Explain the nature of ethical standards in journalism  

  • Explain the importance of accuracy in journalism  

  • Explain the role of objectivity in journalism  

  • Explain the role of confidentiality in journalism  

  

Research and Investigation (20 test items)  

  • Identify relevant issues in the community  

  • Generate story ideas  

  • Identify sources of information  

  • Evaluate source credibility  

  • Distinguish between primary and secondary sources  

  • Discuss considerations in arranging an interview with a source  

  • Discuss considerations in conducting an interview with a source  

  

Compose News Stories (20 test items)  

  • Determine the appropriate delivery platform for a story (e.g., article, video, audio, social media)  

  • Compare and contrast different structures for news articles (e.g., inverted pyramid, hourglass, chronological, Q&A)  

  • Adapt articles to meet organizational standards and style guides (e.g., tone, style, word count)  

  • Apply quotes  

  • Demonstrate appropriate attribution  

  • Write compelling captions and headlines  

  • Incorporate editor feedback