Journalism Writing Rubrics Feature Story Rubric

Objectives Accomplished Skilled Developing Needs Total points

10-11 points 8-9 points 6-7 points Improvement 5
points or less
Effective & Lead is original and Lead is appropriate to Lead is adequate Lead is neither
Appropriate catchy; fits well with story and fairly but not extremely original nor
Lead the rest of the story; effective at getting catchy or catchy; is boring,
invites readers into the attention; shows some original; or there overused or trite,
piece; contains a signs of originality; is no nut graph, or is inappropriate
strong nut graph that contains an effective even though it is to story; no nut
tells the essence of the nut graph but nut necessary. graph .
story. graph could use more
direction.
Adequate Use Evidence of reporter A minimum of three Two or fewer One or fewer
of Primary trying to get as many sources are used and sources are used; sources used in
Sources, sources as necessary clearly identified in some sources are story; or sources
to adequately present story; most improperly are improperly
Mainly
all sides in the story; information is identified or identified; much
Interviews all are identified; info attributed to sources; some info or info is given
is properly attributed; information is opinion is given without
all info is accurate, accurate without attribution;
thorough; uses best attribution; most inaccurate or
sources info is accurate vague info
but may not be as
thorough;
missing key
sources; may use
too general info
Quotes Show Strong evidence of Most quotes show One or two of the Quotes are short,
Evidence of good research and evidence of effective quotes show weak or
Careful interviewing by the interviewing and use evidence of good ineffective; no
use of effective, story- of good follow-up interviewing, but evidence of
Reporting
telling quotes that questions; quotes are most do not help follow-up
cover a broad range of interesting and story- propel the story. questions being
the topic; good use of telling . A quote is A quote is used asked
quote-transition used within the first within the first
formula. A quote is four paragraphs of the five paragraphs
used within the first story. The quote used of the story. The
three paragraphs of fits the standards quote used fits
the story. The quote above. the standards
used fits the standards above.
above.
Effective Story is in a diamond Story is organized and Story lacks Story is choppy;
Organization shape. The lead is at most transitions and strong organization is
and Flow the top, followed by connections are clear, organization, unclear; few
nut graph. Most but either jumps around too effective
(deals with
important information organization is much or lacks transitions; not in
structure) is in the middle and a somewhat lacking or effective the diamond
conclusion the sense of flow is transitions; not in shape.
summarizes somewhat abrupt or the diamond
everything at the end. story is not in the shape.
It is strongly diamond shape.
organized with clear
transitions and logical
connections that
create a sense of being
tightly woven together
Clear Focus Focus of story is Focus is fairly clear Story lacks No clear angle;
and Unity clear; nothing detracts but on or two areas strong sense of story is rambling
(deals with from primary focus; detract from the unity and focus; and awkward
everything contributes primary angle several areas
content)
to overall angle seem to detract
from angle
Interesting & Writing is strong and Writing is adequate Writing is rather Writing lacks a
Effective effective with a clear but not extremely bland; lacks a clear voice and
Writing Style voice and a variety of compelling or clear voice original style.
sentence structures; original; may be and/or sense of Piece is extremely
piece is tightly wordy or voice may originality; is opinionated.
written; utilizes active be unclear; diction wordy or
verbs and vivid word and s/s may not be as redundant; or
choice; original vivid or sophisticated. diction &/or
writing Writer does Writer shows a slight sentence
not show his or her opinion. structure may be
opinion. repetitive. Over
three instances of
opinion.
Journalistic NO errors in Has few (one or two) Has several Has many errors in
Style (AP). I journalistic style errors in journalistic errors in journalistic style.
will double (quotes, dates, scores, style;. journalistic style
numbers, money, structure
this grade!
percents, time,
commas, etc.).
Attributions are done
correctly with said
always at the end. If
it is a two-sentence
quote attribution is in
the middle.
Grammar Story is well edited Story is spell checked Story is spell Names are
and Spelling and virtually flawless; and all names are checked and all misspelled; or
NO spelling errors; correct; contains few names are spell check was
includes the proper grammatical errors correct; contains not run; or
spelling of all names several contains many
grammatical grammatical errors
errors
Paragraphing Student is using short Has a few (one or Missed three to More then five.
journalism two) mistakes five mistakes Any student who
paragraphs. All did not make a
quotes are in separate paragraph will
paragraphs. receive a 0 for this
Paragraphs are not section..
over 60 words. Each
paragraph contains
one thought.

TOTAL__________/100
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