iRubric: Journalism Rubric

Lead is non-existent. Lead does not relate to story's main 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.

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 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.

Engaging and dynamic lead is written clearly and without error. Includes necessary 5Ws & H. Fully engages reader attention.

Article lacks direct quotes or proper attribution. Article has no obvious sources.

Article has a few quotes that are only marginally interesting. Information that should have been paraphrased and attributed is often quoted directly. Article uses only one identified person or relies heavily on static sources like websites.

Article has some meaningful quotes, but from too few sources. Information that should have been paraphrased and attributed is occasionally quoted directly. Article uses multiple sources, but uses them ineffectively. Obvious source who should have been included was not included.

Article has good number of sources and some interesting quotes that are attributed properly. Paraphrased quotes are attributed properly. Article has broad range of sources that cover most requirements of the story.

All direct quotes are interestingly said; from interesting and appropriate sources; and attributed properly. Paraphrased quotes are attributed properly. 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

Errors in accuracy make story very hard to comprehend. Numerous and repeated misspellings and misstatements of facts abound.

Errors in accuracy cause some confusion. Considerable misspellings and factual errors exist.

Errors in accuracy do not cause significant confusion. Some mistakes of fact and misspellings are present.

Errors in accuracy are minimal. Very few factual errors. Virtually all names are spelled correctly.

Errors in accuracy are virtually nonexistent. Names are spelled correctly throughout. No factual errors are present.

Total ignoring of rules regarding references, titles and names. Story is missing multiple important facts or those facts or buried.

Infrequent adherence to rules on reference, titles and names. Story is missing some important facts or those facts or buried.

More frequent use of rules regarding titles, references and names. Story has sufficient detail.

Rules regarding titles, references and names are largely followed. Story contains unusual and interesting detail. Important facts are located sufficiently high in the story.

Writer meticulously follows rules on references, titles and names. Story contains unusual and interesting detail. Important facts are highlights in the story.

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

Grammar and writing mistakes make article hard to follow or comprehend. Passive verbs add some length and awkwardness. Frequent problems with subject-verb agreement.

Some grammar or mechanics issues. Most verbs are active. Some problems with subject-verb agreement.

Little or no grammar or mechanics issues. Writer uses active verb effectively. Subject-verb agreements throughout.

Sophisticated grammar and mechanics add to style of article. Active verbs help tell story and keep reader engaged in article. Subject-verb agreements throughout.