Newspaper and Magazine Rubric—Elementary

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Focus

My publication is all about one important topic. All parts of my publication are important, interesting, and about the topic.

My publication is about one topic. All parts of my publication are about the topic.

My publication is mostly about one topic. Most parts of my publication are about the topic.

My publication seems to be about more than one topic. Many parts of my publication are not really about the topic.

Interpretation

I synthesize information from many good sources and my own experiences. I make inferences. I draw important conclusions about the topic.

I synthesize information from more than one source. I make inferences. I draw reasonable conclusions about the topic.

I try to combine information from different sources, but some of my conclusions do not make sense.

The information in my publication appears to be copied from other sources. I do not draw any new conclusions.

Research

I get my information from many good sources and clearly explain what they are.

I get my information from good sources and clearly explain what they are.

I get most of my information from just one or two sources, and I do not clearly explain what they are.

I do not explain where my information comes from.

Writing: Word Choice

My writing paints pictures with words. My publication is clear and interesting. I use specific details and examples to describe my topic.

My writing is interesting. I use some details and examples to describe my topic.

My writing is somewhat interesting. I try to use details in my writing, but sometimes my writing is unclear.

My writing is predictable and ordinary. My writing is not specific or clear.

Writing: Style

When appropriate, my writing is in a journalistic style that explains who, what, when, where, and how.

Most of the writing in my publication is in a journalistic style that explains who, what, when, where, and how.

I try to write in a journalistic style, but sometimes I do not include important information.

My writing is not in a journalistic style.

Organization

The pieces of my publication are ordered in a way that focuses on the most important content. If needed, I include a complete table of contents to help readers find what they are looking for.

My publication is ordered. If needed, I include a table of contents.

I try to organize my publication, but some pieces are organized in ways that do not make sense. I may need a table of contents or the one I included is inaccurate or incomplete.

My publication appears to be unorganized.

Conventions

I make no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, or Standard English.

I make no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English that take away from meaning.

I make some errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or Standard English that take away from meaning.

I make so many errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and Standard English that readers have difficulty understanding my writing.

Layout

My publication is attractive and easy to read. I use a balance of graphics and print on each page. My publication is laid out in an attractive way. My publication uses even margins and even spacing between articles and images.

My publication is easy to read. I use both graphics and print on every page. My publication uses even spacing and margins.

I usually use both graphics and print on every page. My publication sometimes uses even spacing and margins.

I do not use both graphics and print on every page. My publication does not use even spacing.

Graphic Features

I use colors, boxes, lines, and fonts effectively to make my publication neat, readable, and attractive.

I use colors, boxes, lines, and fonts to make my publication attractive.

I try to use colors, boxes, lines, and fonts to make my publication attractive.

I do not use graphic features, or when I use them, they confuse the readers.

Graphics

A large photo or graphic in the top area on the first page shows why the publication’s main topic is important. The first page’s graphic gets readers interested in the topic. The graphics and pictures I use in the publication communicate important and interesting messages about the topic.

A large photo or graphic in the top area on the first page illustrates the publication’s topic. The graphics and pictures I use in the publication are about the topic.

A large graphic on the first page is only somewhat related to the publication’s topic. Most graphics and pictures I use in the publication are about the topic.

The large graphic on the first page is unrelated to the publication’s topic or missing. The graphics and pictures I use in the publication are unrelated to the topic.

Publication Features

I effectively include a variety of carefully created features appropriate for the publication, such as masthead, opinions, letters to the editor, advertisements, and cover. Every feature adds information about my publication’s topic.

I effectively include some features appropriate for the publication. Every feature relates to my publication’s topic.

I try to include features appropriate for the publication, but some features do not seem to relate to my publication’s topic.

I include very few features appropriate for my publication, and most features do not appear to relate to my publication’s topic.