Choose your format: Print, Audio, or Video
PRINT RUBRIC
Each print piece will be assessed on each of the criteria below using a scale from 0-4, where 0 represents work that does not meet standards, and 4 represents work that meets standards at a high-level: publishable, near-professional level work.
STORY AND STRUCTURE
- This piece of print journalism tells a meaningful story related to the theme “My Education, My Future” with a well-defined beginning, middle, and end.
- Reporter makes it clear why this story is important now and why the reader should care. It includes bigger context in addition to the who, what, when, where, and why.
- Any questions the story raises are answered, or the reader understands why they can’t be answered. Structure of the story shows thought and is easy to follow.
- A primary interviewee plays a significant role, and when appropriate, additional perspectives present new information, support or challenge the main character’s ideas
- Statements, stats, descriptions are all factually accurate.
CREATIVITY
- The story is fresh and original, and demonstrates a unique point of view.
WRITING EXECUTION
- Story includes an effective and appropriate lede and nutgraf, or other structure that works.
- The story shows evidence of careful reporting, research and interviews.
- Quotations from sources/interviewees are engaging or emotional and include clear transitions and attribution.
- Writing is strong with a clear voice and a variety of sentence structures. Writer uses active voice, shows effort to avoid passive voice.
- Story uses vivid details and images; avoids cliches.
- Story is free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
GUIDELINES
- Entry follows all contest rules and guidelines. (It is at most 500 words, factual, etc.)
AUDIO RUBRIC
Each audio piece will be assessed on each of the criteria below, using a scale from 0-4, where 0 represents work that does not meet standards, and 4 represents work that meets standards at a high-level: publishable, near-professional level work.
STORY AND STRUCTURE
- This piece of audio journalism tells a meaningful story related to the theme “My Education, My Future” with a well-defined beginning, middle, and end.
- Reporter makes it clear why this story is important now and why the reader should care. It includes bigger context in addition to the who, what, when, where, and why.
- Any questions the story raises are answered, or the reader understands why they can’t be answered. Structure of the story shows thought and is easy to follow.
- Tape from interviewees is interesting, engaging or emotional. A primary interviewee plays a significant role, and, when appropriate, additional perspectives present new information, support or challenge the primary interviewee’s ideas
- Statements, stats, descriptions are all factually accurate
CREATIVITY
- The story is fresh and original, and demonstrates a unique point of view.
RECORDING/EDITING EXECUTION
- The script is conversational and speakers are introduced with minimal repetition. Use of active voice, shows effort to avoid passive voice.
- No excessive background noise
- Audio levels are even throughout/ in standard audio level range
- Reporter shows effort to sound natural, include pauses and emphasize certain words to avoid sounding monotone
- Transitions are smooth, edits are clean
- Words are not cut off, there are not unnecessary gaps of silence or awkward cuts
GUIDELINES
- Entry follows all contest rules and guidelines. (It is at most 4 minutes, in .aiff or .wav format, etc.)
VIDEO RUBRIC
Assess each video piece on each of the criteria below using a scale from 0-4, where 0 represents work that does not meet standards, and 4 represents work that meets standards at a high-level: publishable, near-professional level work.
STORY AND STRUCTURE
- This piece of audio journalism tells a meaningful story related to the theme “My Education, My Future” with a well-defined beginning, middle, and end.
- Reporter makes it clear why this story is important now and why the reader should care. It includes bigger context in addition to the who, what, when, where, and why.
- Any questions the story raises are answered, or the reader understands why they can’t be answered. Structure of the story shows thought and is easy to follow.
- Video from interviews is interesting, engaging or emotional. A primary interviewee plays a significant role, and, when appropriate, additional perspectives present new information, support or challenge the main character’s ideas
- Statements, stats, descriptions are all factually accurate
CREATIVITY
- The story is fresh and original, and demonstrates a unique point of view.
RECORDING/EDITING EXECUTION
- Interviews are in focus, include a relevant background, and the image is well lit and stable.
- B-roll visually supports statements, is edited into at least 3-shot sequences, is stable and includes natural sounds
- Audio is clear and high-quality. No excessive background noise throughout. Audio levels are even throughout/ in standard audio level range.
- Reporter shows effort to sound natural, include pauses and emphasize certain words to avoid sounding monotone
- Transitions are smooth, edits are clean. Excellent use of L cuts and J cuts.
- Words are not cut off, there are not unnecessary gaps or awkward cuts
- Speakers are introduced with minimal repetition. Use of active voice, shows effort to avoid passive voice.
GUIDELINES
- Entry follows all contest rules and guidelines. (It is at most 4 minutes, has been uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, etc.)