Video Newscast—Middle School

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Clarity Innovations

4	3	2	1
Focus
Our newscast is organized around a topic, and all parts of the video say something important and interesting about the topic.	Our newscast is organized around a topic, and all parts of the video relate to the topic.	Our newscast has a topic, but some parts of the video are only somewhat related to the topic.	Most of our newscast is only somewhat related to the topic.
Content
Our newscast’s information is thoroughly researched and accurate. We include our information’s sources appropriately and use phrases such as, “We got this information from...” or “...says that....”	Our newscast’s information is accurate. We include our information’s sources appropriately.	Most of our newscast’s information is accurate. We sometimes include our information’s sources.	Much of our newscast’s information is inaccurate. We rarely include our information’s sources.
Interpretation
Our newscast uses facts to logically support many well-reasoned interpretations, extensions, and conclusions about the topic.	Our newscast uses facts to support interpretations, extensions, and conclusions about the topic.	Our newscast sometimes does not use facts to support interpretations, extensions, and conclusions about the topic.	Our newscast does not include interpretations, or does not use facts to support interpretations.
Length of Newscast
Our newscast is exactly the correct length.	Our newscast is reasonably near the correct length.	Our newscast is noticeably over or under the correct length.	Our newscast is extremely over or under the correct length.
Organization
Our newscast begins with an opening that introduces the topic and ends with a conclusion. Transitions between components are smooth. The entire newscast appears to be well-rehearsed.	Our newscast clearly begins with an opening and ends with a conclusion. Our newscast appears to be well-rehearsed.	Our newscast has an opening and a conclusion. Some transitions are awkward, or our newscast appears to need more rehearsal.	Our newscast is unorganized and is missing an opening or conclusion. Our newscast is awkward and seems unrehearsed.
Props, Costumes, and Scenery
We use props, costumes, and scenery effectively and appropriately to enhance our newscast’s meaning.	We use some props, costumes, and scenery appropriately.	We try to use props, costumes, and scenery appropriately, but sometimes they detract from our newscast’s meaning.	We do nut use any props, costumes, or scenery, or our props, costumes, or scenery detract from our newscast’s meaning.
Newscast Components
Our newscast effectively and appropriately features several components of realistic newscasts, such as editorial comments, interviews, human interest stories, weather, sports, commercials, and location reporting.	Our newscast features components of realistic newscasts, such as editorial comments, interviews, human interest stories, weather, sports, commercials, and location reporting.	Our newscast includes one or two components of realistic newscasts.	Our newscast includes no components of realistic newscasts.
Communication
Every word spoken in our newscast can be heard and understood clearly by the entire audience.	The audience can generally hear our entire newscast.	Some parts of our newscast are unclear or inaudible to the audience.	Much of our newscast is unclear or inaudible.
Language
Our newscasters speak in Standard English, using correct vocabulary for the subject area and appropriate language for the audience.	Our newscasters speak in Standard English using correct vocabulary for the subject area.	Our newscasters occasionally speak in nonstandard English or use some terms incorrectly.	Our newscasters frequently speak in nonstandard English and use terms incorrectly.