Intro to Journalism & PR
Professor Jennifer Cox
Grading Criteria for Project 2
_______ Story is focused and does not confuse the reader
_______ Story should be timely (why are you telling it now?)
_______ Use of summary lede or feature lede + nut graf
_______ Nut graf conveys the point of the story and why the reader should care
_______ In general, each sentence has no more than 35 words
_______ 1- to 2-sentence paragraphs
_______ 1-sentence ledes
_______ Use of simple vocabulary
_______ Use of mainly simple sentences but with some variety
_______ Sentences don’t begin with attribution, dates
_______ You have used/quoted at least three sources
_______ Sources are cited appropriately
_______ Sources are appropriate for the story
_______ Quotes and paraphrased information attributed properly
_______ Quotes convey emotion, have purpose
_______ Reference to a specific day of the week, not yesterday or today
_______ Use of active voice when possible
Poor Writing
_______ Story is too broad, unfocused
_______ Nut graf is unclear
_______ Lede is inappropriate
_______ Poorly organized article
_______ Story topic is not timely
_______ Story is told in an inappropriate format
_______ Some needed information may be missing/ unanswered questions
_______ Personal opinion of writer is included or writer draws conclusions not based on
sourced information
_______ Article uses fewer than three quotes/sources