Writing Assignment: News Story

News Story Assignment Name: 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point Score

Headline Clever or catchy headline Appropriate headline utilized Headline overly wordy or not engaging. Byline is included.

No headline or byline provided

Lead Engaging and dynamic lead is written clearly and without error.

Includes necessary 5Ws & H. Fully engages reader attention.

Lead is well-written and contains basic, necessary information.

Includes necessary 5Ws & H. Grabs reader attention. Lead is a good summary or illustration of the story's most important points.

Lead contains necessary information, but is weakly

composed or awkward. Includes most of essential 5Ws & H. Does little to grab reader attention. Lead emphasizes less important facts or contains too many facts.

Lead is weak and contains little necessary information. Does not

address 5Ws & H. Does not grab reader attention. Lead trivializes the story. Lead is too broad and/or vague.

Structure/Use of Inverted Pyramid

The story is written in inverted pyramid form, information is organized by importance

The article shows the elements of basic organization. Information follows the inverted pyramid or narrative storytelling format at a

basic level.

Organizational structure is limited. Article is disjointed most of the time, but some of the information follows the inverted pyramid or narrative

storytelling format.

Article lacks organizational structure. Information is not presented in a logical way.

AP Style The story completely follows AP style.

The story may have 1 or 2 style errors, but overall, it follows AP style.

The story follows some style rules, but there are many errors.

The story does not follow AP style.

Sources Article has an array of sources that cover all facets of the story. No obvious omissions are present.

Demonstrates creativity and thought in selection of source material

Article has broad range of sources that cover most requirements of the story.

Article uses multiple sources, but uses them ineffectively. Obvious source who should have been

included was not included.

Article uses only one identified person or relies heavily on static sources like websites.

Quotes/Attribution All direct quotes are interestingly said; from interesting and

appropriate sources; and attributed properly. Paraphrased quotes are attributed properly.

Article has some meaningful quotes, but from too few sources.

Information that should have been paraphrased and attributed is occasionally quoted directly.

Article has a few quotes that are only marginally interesting.

Information that should have been paraphrased and attributed is often quoted directly.

Article lacks direct quotes or proper attribution.

Mechanics Sophisticated grammar and mechanics. Active voice tells the story and keeps reader. Subject-verb agreements throughout.

Little or no grammar or mechanics

issues. Writer uses active verb effectively. Subject-verb agreements throughout.

Some grammar or mechanics issues.

Most verbs are active. Some problems with subject-verb agreement.

Significant errors make article

unacceptable. Passive verbs add unnecessary length and significant confusion. Significant problems with subject-verb agreement.

Photo/Cutline Photo is attention-grabbing and shows a strong connection to article; cutline explains relevance to article

Photo is appropriate for article and includes a cutline

Photo is included with article but is not directly linked to article contents

Photo is not included

Quality Writing flows well, is concise and contains interesting language. Sentence length is varied. Paragraphs are appropriate length and contain only one idea per paragraph.

Writing occasionally doesn't flow.

Language is occasionally imprecise. Sentences are occasionally wordy and/or repetitious. Paragraphs are appropriate length and contain only one idea.

Writing mostly doesn't flow.

Language is frequently imprecise. Sentences are frequently wordy and/or repetitious. Paragraphs are occasionally too long and contain too many ideas.

Writing doesn't flow. Language is

imprecise. Sentences are wordy and repetitious. Paragraphs are too long and contain too many ideas.

Draft Drafts presented in class on due dates; students participated in peer editing workshops

Total Points: /40