Who is the source here?evaluative question
Use when: checking the credibility and identity of whoever is providing information in a story
The most fundamental question of source literacy. Named sources are more reliable than anonymous ones; eyewitnesses more reliable than second-hand accounts.
"Before I form an opinion on this, who is the source here? Is it an anonymous official? A named expert? A press release?"
Notice the reporting verb.analytical instruction
Use when: drawing attention to the journalist's choice of verb (said/claimed/alleged) and what it signals
Reporting verbs are tiny but powerful. The difference between 'said' and 'claimed' can shift a reader's entire assessment of a source's credibility.
"Notice the reporting verb — the journalist wrote that he 'claimed' the company was profitable. Not 'said'. Not 'confirmed'. 'Claimed'. That's a signal."
The lede is buried.news idiom
Use when: noting that the most important information was not placed at the start of the article
"Burying the lede" is a classic journalistic criticism — it means the journalist (or editor) put the key information somewhere readers might never reach.
"The lede is buried here — the most important revelation is in the ninth paragraph. Why would that be?"
This is off the record.sourcing phrase
Use when: indicating that what follows cannot be published or attributed
Understanding the distinction between on-the-record, on-background, and off-the-record is essential for understanding how journalism works.
"She agreed to speak only if everything was off the record — meaning the journalist could know but not publish."
The piece ran on the front page.news phrase
Use when: noting the prominence given to a story within a publication
Where a story appears — front page, deep inside, online-only — signals how important the editors consider it.
"The story ran on the front page, above the fold — that's the most prominent position in any print newspaper."
This reads like a press release.critical observation
Use when: noting that a story lacks independent reporting and seems to reproduce official statements uncritically
One of the most common criticisms of low-quality journalism. It means the reporter did not challenge, verify, or contextualize what they were told.
"This article on the new drug reads like a press release — there's no independent expert quoted, no critical context, no question about side effects."
It's well-sourced.evaluative phrase
Use when: assessing a news story that cites multiple named, credible sources with verifiable information
The gold standard of journalism is named, multiple, independently verifiable sources. Saying a story is "well-sourced" is a high compliment.
"This is an unusual story — but it's well-sourced. Three named officials, two independent experts, and a document trail."
What's the newspeg?news phrase
Use when: asking why a story is appearing now — what makes it timely
Every story needs a reason to appear today rather than yesterday or tomorrow. The newspeg is that reason. Sometimes it's artificial — which is itself revealing.
"What's the newspeg for this story? It doesn't seem to be responding to anything that just happened. Why is it appearing now?"