CATEGORY

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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 - Supporting Details

The details in the articles are clear, effective, and vivid 80-100% of the time.

The details in the articles are clear and pertinent 90-100% of the time.

The details in the articles are clear and pertinent 75-89% of the time.

The details in more than 25% of the articles are neither clear nor pertinent.

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.

Requirements

All of the required content was present.

Almost all the required content was present.

At least 75% of the required content was present.

Less than 75% of the required content was present.

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.

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.

Graphics

Graphics are in focus, are well-cropped and are clearly related to the articles they accompany.

Graphics are in focus and are clearly related to the articles they accompany.

80-100% of the graphics are clearly related to the articles they accompany.

More than 20% of the graphics are not clearly related to the articles OR no graphics were used.

Layout - Flag

The name of the newspaper is centered and is in a font that makes it stand out from other content. The date and edition of the newspaper appear below the name in a smaller font.

The name of the newspaper is in a font that makes it stand out from other content. The date and edition of the newspaper appear below the name in a smaller font.

The name of the newspaper is in a font that makes it stand out from other content. Either the date or the edition number of the newspaper appears below the name in a smaller font.

The name of the newspaper does not stand out OR both the name and edition of the newspaper are missing on one or more pages.

Personal Story

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.