News article rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8
This news article rubric scores student journalism: a headline that tells and hooks, a lead that answers who, what, when, where and why, accurate facts, quotes from people, the most important news first, and a fair, neutral voice. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points, with the lead counting twice; K–2 uses three plain levels for a class news page. Print it, or open it in the rubric maker to change any cell.
News article rubric, grades K–2
3 levels, 4 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).
| Criteria | Wow! | Yes | Not yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline | My headline is short and tells the news. | I write a headline. | I do not have a headline yet. |
| Who, what, where | I tell who, what, where and when. | I tell who and what. | My reader cannot tell what happened yet. |
| True facts | I tell three true facts about the news. | I tell one or two facts. | I tell what I think, not facts. |
| Picture and caption | My picture shows the news and has a caption. | My picture shows the news. | My picture does not match the news. |
- I can write a headline that tells the news.
- I can tell who, what and where.
- I can tell facts that are true.
- I can add a picture with words under it.
News article rubric, grades 3–5
4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.
| Criteria | Exceeds4 points | Meets3 points | Approaching2 points | Beginning1 point | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headline | Short, catchy headline with a strong verb that tells the news. | Headline tells the news. | Headline is vague or too long. | No headline. | / 4 |
| Leadcounts ×2 | First one or two sentences answer who, what, when, where and why and make the reader want more. | Lead answers at least four of the 5 Ws. | Lead answers two or three of the 5 Ws. | Lead does not tell the news. | / 8 |
| Facts and details | Accurate, specific facts and details fill out the story. | Accurate facts with some details. | Few facts, or some are inaccurate. | Facts are missing or wrong. | / 4 |
| Quotes | Two or more quotes from people involved, correctly punctuated and credited. | One quote, credited. | A quote that is not credited or not punctuated. | No quotes are used. | / 4 |
| Neutral voice | Reports only facts in third person; opinions come only from quoted people. | Mostly facts, in third person. | Some of the writer's opinion slips in. | Mostly the writer's opinion. | / 4 |
- I can write a headline that tells the news and grabs attention.
- I can write a lead that answers the 5 Ws.
- I can include accurate facts and details.
- I can quote people with correct punctuation.
- I can report facts without giving my opinion.
News article rubric, grades 6–8
4 levels, 6 criteria, 28 points in all.
| Criteria | Exceeds4 points | Meets3 points | Approaching2 points | Beginning1 point | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headline | Accurate, active-voice headline that fits the story and earns a reader's click without exaggerating. | Accurate headline that tells the news. | Headline is vague or overstated. | No headline. | / 4 |
| Leadcounts ×2 | A tight lead of 35 words or fewer with the most newsworthy of the 5 Ws first. | A lead that delivers the 5 Ws. | Lead is wordy or buries the main news. | Lead is missing or off topic. | / 8 |
| Inverted pyramid | Each paragraph is less essential than the last; short paragraphs; the story could be cut from the bottom. | Most important information comes first. | Order is mixed; key facts appear late. | No clear order. | / 4 |
| Sources and quotes | Several sources with different views, quoted accurately and attributed with "said." | Two attributed sources with accurate quotes. | One source, or quotes are not attributed. | No sources are used. | / 4 |
| Objectivity | Balanced and neutral; loaded words avoided; all sides are fairly represented. | Neutral, with facts and attributed views. | Some slanted words or one-sided coverage. | Reads as an opinion piece. | / 4 |
| Accuracy and style | Facts, names and numbers checked; concise sentences; almost no errors. | Facts are accurate; a few errors. | Some facts unchecked or distracting errors. | Inaccurate or full of errors. | / 4 |
- I can write an accurate, active headline.
- I can write a tight lead that delivers the most important news.
- I can order information from most to least important.
- I can use and attribute several sources accurately.
- I can keep my article fair and free of my own opinion.
- I can check facts and follow news style.
When to use it
- A class or school newspaper, or a news report on a field trip, a science event or a class visitor.
- Writing about history or a book as if it were breaking news.
- Older students: practice in sourcing, quoting accurately and keeping opinion out.
What to say to students
- Your headline is short and tells the news.
- Your first sentence answers who, what, when, where and why.
- Put the most important facts first and the extras last.
- Ask people what they think and quote their exact words. Keep your own opinion out.
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The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.