JOU 4777: Spring Semester 2007

A writing:

Profile has publishable merit and is written for a specific publication
Profile provides insight into the person’s outlook on urban communities,
Written in a news-feature style
Lead draws reader into the profile
Person chosen to profile is appropriate, timely and/or newsworthy
Well organized with smooth transitions and proper conclusion
Follows journalistic style with short sentences and short paragraphs
All information cited properly
Minimum of three people quoted in the profile, other than the subject
Good quote selection, placement and attribution
No cliffhanger quotes or outstanding questions left unanswered
Writer shows adequate knowledge of subject from background research and interviews
Use of anecdotes when possible
Use of active voice when possible

B writing:

Profile has publishable merit and is written for a specific publication
Profile provides insight into the person’s outlook on urban communities,
Written in news-feature style
Person chosen to profile is appropriate, timely and newsworthy
Follows journalistic style with short sentences and short paragraphs
Organization may be somewhat confusing or lack some transitional elements
Minimum of three people quoted in the profile, other than the subject
Good quote selection, placement and attribution
No cliffhanger quotes or outstanding questions
Use of anecdotes when possible
Writer shows adequate knowledge of subject from background research and interviews
Use of active voice when possible

C writing:

Ineffective choice/use of lead
Lack of clear focus or publication potential
Lapses into “report” writing versus journalistic writing
Organization is somewhat awkward
Topic/subject too broad for a 3 to 5-page profile
Lacking direct quotes from at least three people, or people interviewed aren’t appropriate sources
Attribution missing or use incorrectly
Sentences and paragraphs too lengthy

D writing:

Profile lacks publication material – lack of focus, news element or appeal for readers
Lead misses the major point of the profile or it too long
Poorly organized
Topic/subject too broad for a 3 to 5-page profile
Some information may be missing or misleading
Lacking direct quotes from at least three people, or people interviewed aren’t appropriate sources
Personal opinion of the writer is included, or writer draws conclusions not based on facts or the information provided

F writing:

Profile lacks publication potential
Ineffective choice/use of lead
Not written in journalistic style
Some information missing/misleading
Quotes are not included or are used inappropriately
Lacks interviews with at least three persons, or sources are not appropriate
Personal opinion of the writer is included, or writer draws conclusions not based on information provided
Inappropriate tone for article