SkillsUSA JOURNALISM RUBRIC 2023.xlsx

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I
1	2023 JOURNALISM CONTEST RUBRIC
2	2023 JOURNALISM CONTEST RUBRIC
3	NAME:						TOPIC:
4
5	Driteria	Description	Accomplished	Skilled	Developing or Fair	Needs Improvement or Missing	pts possible	pts given	judge's comments (optional)
6	WRITING
7	Headline Writing	Does the story have an interesting and infomative headline that applies search engine optimization?	Headline is clever, accurate and reflects the story. Headline and/or subhead contain active verbs.	Headline is clear, but does not draw reader to the story. Headline and/or subhead contain verbs.	Headline is dull or inaccurate and does not contain any verb.	No headline written. OR Headline is a title, label, no verb used, OR headline is inaccurate.	6
8	Effective & Appropriate Lead	Is the lede/lead informative, include all appropriate information while engaging the reader?	Lead is original and catchy; fits well with the rest of the story; invites readers into the piece; contains a strong nut graph if lead is not a summary lead	Lead is appropriate to story and fairly effective at getting attention; shows some signs of originality; contains an effective nut graph, if necessary	Lead is adequate but not extremely catchy or original; or there is no nut graph, even though it is necessary	Lead is neither original nor catchy; is boring, overused or trite, or is inappropriate to story; no nut graph	6
9	Adequate Use of Primary Sources, Mainly Interviews, Evidence of Careful Reporting	Does the story use primary sources responsibly and ethically?	Evidence of reporter trying to get as many sources as necessary to adequately present all sides in the story; all are identified; info is properly attributed; all info is accurate, thorough; uses best sources	A minimum of two sources are used and clearly identified in story; most information is attributed to sources; information is accurate. Most quotes show evidence of effective interviewing and use of good follow-up questions; quotes are interesting and story-telling.	Two or fewer sources are used; some sources are improperly identified or some info or opinion is given without attribution; most info is accurate but may not be as thorough; missing key sources; may use too general info	No quoted sources used in story; or sources are improperly identified; much info is given without attribution; inaccurate or vague info	6
10	Quotes Show Evidence of Careful Reporting	Does the story show ethical use of attributed sources, research into the topic and relevant information?	Strong evidence of good research and interviewing by the use of effective, story-telling quotes that cover a broad range of the topic; good use of quote-transition formula	Most quotes show evidence of effective interviewing and use of good follow-up questions; quotes are interesting and story-telling	One or two of the quotes show evidence of good interviewing, but most do not help propel the story	Quotes are short, weak or ineffective; no evidence of follow-up questions being asked	6
11	Effective Organization and Flow (deals with structure)		Story uses inverted pyramid form with info in descending order of importance; LQTQ, or narrative style effectively and clearly without seeming overly formulaic.	Story is organized and most transitions and connections are clear, but either organization is somewhat lacking or the sense of flow is somewhat abrupt or story is not in inverted pyramid	Story lacks strong organization, jumps around too much or lacks effective transitions; not in inverted pyramid. Story is sometimes confusing, overly formulaic or tough to follow, but some attempt is made to write in news style.	Story is choppy; organization is unclear; few effective transitions; not in inverted pyramid. Story is difficult to follow or confuses the reader. No organization is evident. Story seems more like notes.	6
12	Clear Focus and Unity (deals with content)	Does the story stay on topic and coherent?	Focus of story is clear; nothing detracts from primary focus; everything contributes to overall angle	Focus is fairly clear but on or two areas detract from the primary angle	Story lacks strong sense of unity and focus; several areas seem to detract from angle	No clear angle; story is rambling and awkward	6
13	Interesting & Effective Writing Style	Does the story have an interesting voice?	Writing is strong and effective with a clear voice and a variety of sentence structures; piece is tightly written; utilizes active verbs and vivid word choice; original writing	Writing is adequate but not extremely compelling or original; may be wordy or voice may be unclear; diction and s/s may not be as vivid or sophisticated	Writing is rather bland; lacks a clear voice and/or sense of originality; is wordy or redundant; or diction &/or sentence structure may be repetitive	Writing lacks a clear voice and original style	6
14	Journalistic Style	Does story adhere to AP style and journalistic structure?	NO errors in journalistic style (quotes, dates, scores, numbers, money, percents, time, commas, etc.); short paragraphs; quotes stand alone	Has few (one or two) errors in journalistic style; or may have non-journalistic paragraph structure	Has several errors in journalistic style or non-journalistic paragraph structure	Has many errors in journalistic style and/or non-journalistic paragraph structure	6
15	Spelling/Syntax/Grammar	Does the story contain spelling/grammar errors?	Stiory is free from errors.	Some errors that do not distract the reader or cause difficulty understanding.	Numerous errors that need to be fixed before re-submittal to the editor.	Errors are too numerous and cause difficulty understanding content or meaning.	6
16	Overall impact	Consider the overall impact of the piece, including its ability to engage the audience and spark conversation or action.	Story has great value, stays engaging throughout and leaves reader not only informed , personally inspired , etc.	Story is intersting, but may be a bit mundane.	Story is well written and interests readers, but lacks certain information or is too surface level.	Story is too superficial and doesn't provide interesting or relevant new information.	6
17							60	0
18	PHOTO STORY
19	Relevance/Storytelling	Is photo content is relevant to the theme/subject/story?	Series relates very closesly to the topic. Each image contributes individual pieces of the story narratives.	Series tells the story, though some aspects may have been missed.	Images contribute to the series,but some aspects may be missing or redundant.	Images don't relate the topic well, are too redundant or missing. Not enough images chosen.	6
20	Technical Quality	Are the photos properly exposed/in focus?	Sharp focus on the subjects. Light is used to produce a desired emotion and greatly achieves this through visibility, clarity, texture without creating unwanted effects.	Good focus on the subjects. Use of light is adequate, perhaps not exactly achieving the desired emotion. May have some unwanted shadows etc.	Focus is marginal or lacking. The photos are too dark, underexposed, could have added flash.	Blurry focus or on wrong subject. Photo does not seem to have a subject.	6
21	Composition	Did the photographer use composition techniques?	Photos are simple and uncluttered; applies rule of thirds or other compositional theme.	Photos are simple and uncluttered. The rule of thirds is not necessarily followed but the subject is clear.	Photos are uncluttered, subject is the center of attention. Crops or format (vertical/horizontal) could use better selection.	Photos seems to lack purpose and organization. Crops or format is redundant or disadvantages images OR No discernable composition.	6
22	Captions	Are the photos properly captioned and all necessary information included?	Captions are complete, accurate, informative, well written and give additional information.	Captions are complete, but lack additional detail.	Captions are present, but have errors or missing information.	Captions missing or incomplete.	2
23	Impact & Creativity	Is the work original and creative, including unique angles, information and overall presentation.	WOW factor; unique viewpoints! Standalone images have exceptional impact. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion	Caught attention, shows merit!	Accaptable, but a bit commonplace or familiar.	Images lack imagination/vision.	10
24							30	0
25	PHOTO PORTFOLIO
26	Lens Focus	Sharpness, quality of the subjects.	Sharp focus on the subjects.	Good focus on the subjects.	Focus is marginal or lacking.	Blurry focus or on wrong subject.	1
27	Lighting	Illumination of the scenes or subjects.	Light is used to produce a desired emotion and greatly achieves this through visibility, clarity, texture without creating unwanted effects.	Use of light is adequate, perhaps not exactly achieving the desired emotion. May have some unwanted shadows etc.	The photos are too dark, underexposed, could have added flash.	Photos are over or under exposed to the point of being distracting.	1
28	Relevance/Storytelling	Subject used to deliver a message well.	It is obvious who or what the subject is. Image conveys a message well.	It is obvious who or what the subject is. Some of the techniques used to increase emphasis.	It is sometimes unclear who or what the subject is. At least some techniques used to share a message with the images.	No clear focus or storytelling subject to the images.	3
29	Composition	The pleasing selection and arrangement of subjects within the picture area.	Photos are simple and uncluttered; apply rule of thirds or other compositional theme.	Photos are simple and uncluttered. The rule of thirds is not necessarily followed but the subject is clear.	Photos are a bit cluttered, subject is not quite the center of attention or clearly distinguished. Crops or format (vertical/horizontal) could use better selection.	Photos seems to lack purpose and organization. Crops or format is redundant or disadvantages images OR No discernable composition.	1
30	Captions	Are the photos properly captioned and all necessary information included?	Captions are complete, give additional info and support the storytelling ability of the image.	Captions are complete, but lack additional detail or information.	Captions are present, but have errors or missing information	Captions missing or incomplete.	1
31	Impact & Creativity	Is the work original and creative, including unique angles, information and overall presentation.	WOW factor; unique viewpoints! Standalone images have exceptional impact. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion	Images attracted attention and conjured a feeling but some could use improvement to imrove impact.	Accaptable, but a bit commonplace or familiar.	Images lack imagination/vision.	3
32							10	0
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34	JUDGE TOTAL
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