How I Grade

Here’s what I look for when grading your work:

You have written a headline and subhed that matches your nut graph.
Your story has the proper format — lede, transition, nut graph, body, kicker
Your nut graph signals what’s new (news/why this topic now) and what’s interesting
You have interviewed four people or more (depending on length of assignment), including those whose lived experience offers an example of your topic.
You have direct quotes from people, properly attributed.
You have paid attention to the media-based grammar rules. In other words, you have done a read to avoid the “to be” verb and replace it with a more active construction, especially there is/there are; your piece isn’t riddled with passive voice; you don’t have a bunch of repetition. Here are some evergreen grammar reminders: Make writing better.
You have hit the deadline or you have clearly communicated any obstacles. Otherwise, your grade will drop for every day late.
You are close to the word count. If your story is double or more the words assigned, narrow your topic or trim!
If you have been instructed to take a photo, make sure it’s in focus and your subject isn’t plopped in the middle of the frame with no context, creativity or texture.