Rubrics are easy to find on TPT. What's hard to find is a news feature-writing rubric that includes a scored example showing students exactly what each performance level looks like in practice — and a self-checklist they can run before they hand anything in. This 12-page set has all three.
See it on Teachers Pay Teachers — $5.00
What's Included: Editable teacher rubric — four performance levels with point values across ten criteria Scored example feature with category-by-category feedback and a final score Student self-checklist aligned to the rubric — ready for drafting days and peer review "Cheat sheet" guidance for headlines, ledes, nut grafs, quotes, organization, and cutlines Teacher tips for pacing, peer checks, and quick scoring Fully editable Word document (.docx) — also opens in Google Docs What It Assesses: Headline and angle match, lede engagement, nut graf, sources and research, quotes and attribution, body organization, focus and unity, style and voice, photos and cutlines, mechanics, and timeliness.
How to Use It: Model with the scored example and discuss why each category earned its level. Students draft, then run the self-checklist before peer review.
Grade with the teacher rubric, add quick notes, and return with next-step goals. The one-page checklist also works with professional publication examples when you want students to assess real features rather than each other's drafts. This resource is part of the Journalism Rubric Bundle at significant savings.
Also pairs well with the Gratitude in Journalism Bundle if you're teaching hero feature writing. Both are included in the Complete High School Journalism Curr
Designed for grades 9th – 12th.
Starmaker English and Journalism Tools 
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