JRN 300: A Grading Scale Reminder

Here's the grading scale, along with guidelines on what you need to do to get the best grade possible (and what will sink you, too).

4.0: A newsworthy story told clearly and cleanly with four or more varied, knowledgeable sources employing at least three media. These might be text, photos (with original captions and a map or graphic, slideshow, video or audio, depending on what best tells the story. Uses elements like subheads and block quotes to hold readers. Completely accurate, well-organized, solid grammar, punctuation and style and links to relevant resources.

3.5: A clear, well-written story with three good human sources and, in addition to the text, links and visual elements—either your original photos or graphics—high up on the Web page. (You may incorporate handout photos with permission from the owner, but these typically cannot count as your original work Get in the habit of shooting or making a visual element—even a good head shot—with everything you do. Elements like subheads and block quotes are included to good effect. Consistently good mechanics.

3.0: Better-than-average report based on solid reporting with three relevant sources. Story answers questions readers want to know. Writing is accurate, but copy needs rewriting and polishing before it can be published.

2.5: On time and a little above average. Story has some problems with organization, focus and sentence structure. Uses only one medium or has fewer than three named, human sources. Problems with writing mechanics have caused 0.25-point deductions.

2.0: Average. Basic organizational writing and reporting deficiencies. Mechanical difficulties. Story lacks minimum sources or has weak ones; used only one medium. The story is not of the type required in this class. (For example, a story about a game or something that is not from your beat.)

1.5: Weak. The lead does not state the news. Insufficient sourcing. There are problems in news interpretation. Weak mechanics. Story goes off track or is incomplete. Needs substantial rewriting and editing.

1.0: Major fact error. Or, lacks fundamental reporting and writing. Problems might include omission of key facts, several deductions for errors in AP style, spelling or punctuation. Poor news judgment. Weak sourcing. Needs substantial rethinking. Cannot be published.

0.0: Story misses deadline or contains plagiarism or fabrication.