Online Print Assignment
Due: Tuesday, October 29. Please post your story and all digital elements on your domain and the class website and turn in a hard copy including a source sheet (-5 points if not included) before the start of class. I will also need a digital copy sent to my e-mail even if you are absent. Second draft due Tuesday, November 12.
Subject: An issue or a trend in your beat that requires finding, analyzing and including some type of data that will enhance and reflect your story’s theme.
Length: 1400-1600 words. Please put the word count on the first page.
Sources: At least five sources with distinct points of view.
Style: Focus.
Description: This is an opportunity to examine an issue and related data in depth within a beat. You may not interview family or friends without permission. Be sure to save all your original interviews as I may ask to review them.
Grading: Your print assignment will be graded on a scale of 100 points. There will be five parts, each worth 20 points:
1. Opening Anecdote/Nut graf
2. Story organization
3. Writing
4. Accuracy, proofreading, news judgment
5. Digital Elements
As I read your story, I will evaluate your reporting and writing on the following criteria:
1. Does the story have a focus, a single theme or idea that holds it together? Is it newsworthy?
2. Does the opening anecdote reflect this theme creatively? Does the nut graf explain the issue clearly? Does it include the “so what”? Do you have a compelling quote following the nut graf?
3. Is the story well organized? Does it lead the reader logically through the issue?
4. Have you including different points of view? Do you have a neutral source or an expert weighing in on the issue? Have you included the “To be sure” point of view?
5. Have you used description, detail and colorful quotes from your sources to make readers care about this issue?
6. Have you researched your issue in depth? Have you included enough data and relevant statistics in a way that enhances your story? Is your data woven into the narrative?
7. Have you explored the why, the how and what happens next?
8. Is your kicker satisfying to the reader? Does it come full circle to the person we met at the start of the story? Is it compelling?
9. Have you included digital elements that enhance your storytelling? Have you posted your story in a way that is inviting and logical to the online reader?
10. Have you triple-checked the spelling of all proper nouns? Have you corrected AP style, spelling, grammar and punctuation errors?
Due: Tuesday, October 29. Please post your story and all digital elements on your domain and the class website and turn in a hard copy including a source sheet (-5 points if not included) before the start of class. I will also need a digital copy sent to my e-mail even if you are absent. Second draft due Tuesday, November 12.
Subject: An issue or a trend in your beat that requires finding, analyzing and including some type of data that will enhance and reflect your story’s theme.
Length: 1400-1600 words. Please put the word count on the first page.
Sources: At least five sources with distinct points of view.
Style: Focus.
Description: This is an opportunity to examine an issue and related data in depth within a beat. You may not interview family or friends without permission. Be sure to save all your original interviews as I may ask to review them.
Grading: Your print assignment will be graded on a scale of 100 points. There will be five parts, each worth 20 points:
1. Opening Anecdote/Nut graf
2. Story organization
3. Writing
4. Accuracy, proofreading, news judgment
5. Digital Elements
As I read your story, I will evaluate your reporting and writing on the following criteria:
1. Does the story have a focus, a single theme or idea that holds it together? Is it newsworthy?
2. Does the opening anecdote reflect this theme creatively? Does the nut graf explain the issue clearly? Does it include the “so what”? Do you have a compelling quote following the nut graf?
3. Is the story well organized? Does it lead the reader logically through the issue?
4. Have you including different points of view? Do you have a neutral source or an expert weighing in on the issue? Have you included the “To be sure” point of view?
5. Have you used description, detail and colorful quotes from your sources to make readers care about this issue?
6. Have you researched your issue in depth? Have you included enough data and relevant statistics in a way that enhances your story? Is your data woven into the narrative?
7. Have you explored the why, the how and what happens next?
8. Is your kicker satisfying to the reader? Does it come full circle to the person we met at the start of the story? Is it compelling?
9. Have you included digital elements that enhance your storytelling? Have you posted your story in a way that is inviting and logical to the online reader?
10. Have you triple-checked the spelling of all proper nouns? Have you corrected AP style, spelling, grammar and punctuation errors?