CATEGORY

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3

2

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Headline

Article has a headline that captures the reader's attention and accurately describes the content.

Article has a headline that accurately describes the content.

Article has a headline that does not describe the content.

Article is missing headline.

Lead Sentence

Lead sentence grabs the reader's attention and focuses the reader on the topic.

Lead sentence tells most important details.

Lead sentence is not clearly connected to the article.

There is no clear lead sentence in the article.

Who, What, When, Where & How

Article adequately addresses the 5 W's (who, what, when, where and how).

The article is missing one of the 5 W's.

The article is missing 2 of the 5 W's.

The article is missing 3 or more of the 5 W's.

Supporting Details

The details in the article are clear, effective, and vivid 93-100% of the time.

The details in the article are clear and pertinent 73-92% of the time.

The details in the article are clear and pertinent 60-72% of the time.

The details in less than 60% of the article are neither clear nor pertinent.

Purpose

93-100% of the article establishes a clear purpose in the lead. paragraph and demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic.

73-92% of the article establishes a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic.

60-72% of the article establishes a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic.

Less than 60% of the article establishes a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic.

Requirements

All of the required content was present.

Almost all the required content was present.

At least 75% of the required content was present.

Less than 75% of the required content was present.

Interest

The article contains facts, figures, and/or word choices that make the articles exceptionally interesting to readers. (Makes reader gasp or ahh.)

The article contains facts, figures, and/or word choices that make the articles interesting to readers.

The article contains some facts or figures but is marginally interesting to read.

The article does not contain facts or figures that might make it interesting to read.

Spelling and Grammar

No spelling or grammar errors.

No more than a couple of spelling or grammar errors.

No more than 3 spelling or grammar errors.

Several spelling or grammar errors.

Columns

Columns are neatly typed in the "justified" type style. There are adequate and consistent "gutters" between all columns and articles. A glance at the newspaper makes you think "professional."

Columns are neatly typed. There are adequate and consistent "gutters" between all columns and articles. A glance at the newspaper makes you think " fairly professional."

Columns are typed. There are adequate "gutters" between most columns and articles. It is easy to read, but looks somewhat nonprofessional.

Columns are not neatly typed and/or "gutters" are not adequate, so newspaper is somewhat difficult to read.

Notes