1
Assignment is late and incomplete. Writer’s name may be missing. Article may be handwritten or typed in unusable form.
Article has no apparent news relevance. No attempt is made to write an interesting lead.
Article does not identify what is unusual or interesting about this particular person.
It would have been possible to write this story without actually conducting the interview.
Paraphrased information is vague; quotations may be missing, misquoted, or not clearly attributed.
The writer’s personal opinion is expressed.
Little supporting detail or example is used.
Story is submitted in incorrect form. Control of sentence, structure, punctuation, usage, and spelling is so minimal as to impede understanding.
Story would require significant editing before it could be published.
2
Assignment is late, incomplete, or not saved in folder. Writer’s name is on story. Revision is needed before the article can be included in the paper.
Subject of article does not have particular news relevance; lead may be vague or misleading. Article does not provide clear focus on what is unusual or interesting about this particular person.
Interview appears to have been incompletely planned: interview questions seem to miss what is interesting about this particular individual.
Some information which has been quoted would better be expressed by paraphrasing.
Many ideas in article are undeveloped as a result of lack of follow-up questions during interview.
Information is presented with little attempt to engage reader interest. Writer’s personal opinion or speculation may be present. Details are presented unevenly. Transitions may be needed to connect ideas from interview.
Story is typed, saved in folder, but has many errors in proofreading and/or form.
While there may be many errors in conventions or AP style, they seldom impede understanding. However, story would require some editing before it could be published.
3
Assignment is on time and complete, but will require minor revision before it can be included in the paper.
Writer’s name is on story.
Subject of article is good choice; news element is evident in lead. Article focuses on subject’s experience, hobby or interest, or interesting personal quality.
Story contains both paraphrased and quoted information.
Quotes are selected to impart the personality of the subject. Topics of interest are discussed with the subject, although some opportunities for followup may have been missed.
Some attempt is made to explore a “softnews”angle. No personal opinion is present. Details are specific and relevant.
Additional sources are quoted to give a wellrounded portrait.
Story is neatly typed, saved in folder, with only few errors in proofreading or form.
Story is nearly free of grammatical errors or errors in AP style.
4
Article is completed on time, one copy saved in folder and one hard copy turned in. Writer’s name is on story. Article is neatly typed in correct format and is ready for placement in
Pagemaker.
Subject of article is good choice because several news elements are evident in lead. Article clearly focuses on the subject’s interesting or unusual experience, hobby or interest, or personal quality.
Story is a balanced combination of paraphrased and quoted information, allowing the reader to
“really know” person being profiled. Topics of interest are thoroughly addressed with subject, demonstrating use of thoughtful follow-up questions during interview.
Creative style and relaxed tone explore a “soft-news” angle without including personal opinion or speculation. Abundant details help the reader to see, smell, hear, taste, and touch elements in the story.
Additional sources are quoted effectively to develop a well-rounded personality portrait.
Story is neatly typed, saved in folder, with no errors in proofreading or form.
Story is free from grammatical errors and in accordance with AP style.
This story could be published with no changes.