Feature Article – Checklist for Peer or Self Evaluation
Writer: ____________________________________ Peer Evaluator: __________________________________
Title
____ Grabs reader's attention. Is creative and appropriate.
____ Grabs the reader's attention
____ No special quality to grab the reader's attention.
____ No title
Lead
____ The lead is inviting and draws the reader into the article.
____ The lead states the topic, and makes an attempt to draw the reader into the article.
____ The lead is not inviting to the reader.
____ No lead, or very weak lead.
Focused Topic
____ There is one clear, well-focused, defined topic. Main idea is supported with detailed information.
____ Main idea is clear, but the supporting information is general.
____ Main idea is somewhat clear, or the writer tries to bring in too much off topic material.
____ The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.
Quotations
____ An expert, research, or source is quoted in the article. The purpose is clear, and of interest, and adds credibility to the article.
____ An expert, research, or source is quoted in the article is quoted. The purpose is clear, but it does not seem to make the article’s purpose more effective.
____ The quotations only add off topic information or do not support the topic.
____ No quotations present.
Conclusion
____ The writer draws an appropriate conclusion and writes it well.
____ The writer draws a conclusion, but it is not satisfying.
____ The writer rambles in the conclusion.
____ There is no conclusion.
Grammar & Spelling
____ Writer made no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content
____ Writer made 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
____ Writer made 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content
____ Writer made more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Format/Conventions of the Text Type
____ Piece is set up and looks just like some of the examples of Feature Articles we’ve looked at.
____ Piece is set up mostly like a Feature Article, but has 1 or 2 areas to be improved.
____ Piece has many areas for improvement in order to look and read like a Feature Article.
____ Piece is not formatted like a Feature article at all.

Feature Articles Often Have …
 Striking headlines to engage the reader
 Background information found in the opening paragraph which outlines the issue
 A “tear-out” section (a section from the article in large print giving the key points of the article)
 Effective use of graphics related to the story (photos, infographics, etc.)
 Deliberate use of language (perhaps emotional, colorful, etc.) to achieve the writer’s persuasive purpose, although articles are usually objective and present multiple views of a given topic –
see below for differences.
 Clear arguments or opinions on the issue presented in the article
 Variation of sentence length to avoid monotony in structure
 Usually short paragraphs to help the reader move through the piece
 Use of sub-headings
 Formatting of the article does not resemble an essay; often it is in narrow columns
 Writer’s name or byline is included at the top of the article along with any important publication details
Objective Articles:
 Emphasize facts rather than opinions
 Lack bias, show a neutral attitude towards the topic and are not personal
Subjective Articles:
 Emphasize opinions, but they should be based on facts
 May contain bias or a personal view of the writer
 Uses emotional and/or imaginative language