CATEGORY

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Layout - Headlines & Captions

All articles have headlines that capture the reader's attention and accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. All graphics have captions that adequately describe the people and action in the graphic.

All articles have headlines that accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. All graphics have captions.

Most articles have headlines that accurately describe the content. All articles have a byline. Most graphics have captions.

Articles are missing bylines OR many articles do not have adequate headlines OR many graphics do not have captions.

Layout - 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 newpaper makes you think "professional."

Columns are neatly typed. There are adequate and consistent "gutters" between all columns and articles. A glance at the newpaper 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.

Contributions of Group Members

Each person in the group has contributed at least two articles and one graphic without prompting from teachers or peers.

Each person in the group has contributed at least one article and one graphic with a few reminders from peers.

Each person in the group has contributed at least one article with some minimal assistance from peers.

One or more students in the group required quite a lot of assistance from peers before contributing one article.

Spelling and Proofreading

No spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.

No more than a couple of spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.

No more than 3 spelling or grammar errors remain after one or more people (in addition to the typist) read and correct the newspaper.

Several spelling or grammar errors remain in the final copy of the newspaper.

Articles - Purpose

90-100% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.

85-89% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.

75-84% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.

Less than 75% of the articles establish a clear purpose in the lead paragraph and demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic.

Articles - Interest

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

The articles contain 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.

Editorials - Worthwhile

The information was accurate and there was a clear reason for including the editorial in the newspaper.

The information was accurate and there was a fairly good reason for including the editorial in the newspaper.

The information was occasionally inaccurate or misleading, but there was a clear reason for including the editorial in the newspaper.

The information was typically inaccurate, misleading or libelous.

Use of Primary Sources

Reading of primary source material was thorough.

Reading of primary source material was fairly thorough.

Reading of primary source material was incomplete.

Reading of primary source material was not done.