Rough Draft Evaluation

Rough Draft EvaluationRough Draft EvaluationFirst DeadlineName(s): _____________________________Please answer the following questions using examples from your rough draft to support your answers.Attach this sheet to your draft.The Lead1. What is your angle?2. Why did you choose this angle?3. How does your lead grab your readers’ attention?4. If I was not involved in the activity, why would I keep reading?5. How is the first quotation important?The Body6. Are quotes the center of your story? How?Publications Writing

Rough Draft Evaluation7. How is this story about people?8. How does this story help fill the yearbooks role as a record of this year?9. How have you effectively become an “alien,” observing a foreign group?10. How have you involved people from all grades? (Senior section excluded.)11. What was your biggest challenge writing this draft?12. What is your favorite line or favorite part about your story?13. In the space below, write the sentence that needs the most work.Publications Writing

Rough Draft EvaluationThe Conclusion14. What method did you choose to close your story?15. Why is this the best way to end your story?16. How is your story creative and new?Before turning in your rough draft, please complete the following rubric. Use this rubric as you create your draft to help you understandwhat makes up a quality yearbook story. I understand that rough drafts do not need to be perfect, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’treflect significant time and effort. Your rough draft should be “A work” which is still a few steps below “publishable work.”4 = Exemplary 3 = Very well done 2 = Basic 1 = Not attemptedStudent Criteria TeacherYes / NoThe draft is typed, double-spaced, of correct length (300-350 words formost stories, fewer for Mini Mag)Yes / No4 3 2 14 3 2 14 3 2 14 3 2 14 3 2 1There is a clear, unique angle that is made apparent early on in the story(within the first two paragraphs) and continued throughout the story. 4 3 2 1There is a thoughtful, solid, and creative lead. The terms “Buffalo HighSchool” and “This year” are not present. The lead grabs the reader’s 4 3 2 1attention, even if he or she is not involved in the activity.The body of the story is developed (following T-Q format), includingquotes from new sources (not on the hit list), and does not contain “be 4 3 2 1verbs” or other weak language.A variety of sources are used in the story. Story-telling quotes are thehighlight of the story and background information is paraphrased instead 4 3 2 1of used in direct quotes.There is an obvious conclusion or a quote that clearly functions as aconclusion at the end of the story 4 3 2 1Yes / NoThe draft is turned in on time (ready at the start of class), this rubric iscomplete, and the rough draft evaluation is done.Yes / NoScore: ______/50Grade: ___________Publications Writing

Rough Draft Evaluation12 Parts of a StoryThemeFocusing on one idea throughout the entire story and thinkingabout who you are writing for. It should present the story in aninteresting way.It should be about one single thing and centered on one person,not jumping back and forth from smaller topics.AngleOnce reporters have gathered facts, they must decide throughwhose eyes, in what voice and tone, and in what order to tell thestory. This is the most difficult step in writing.It should engage the reader in a drama or narrative. It shouldpinpoint a single situation.It should isolate, and develop verbally and visually a complexsituation or problem.ClarityReporters who present information more clearly, more preciselyand more logically than sources ever could.Clarity is often dependent on the use of everyday simple tounderstand words. Make sentences and paragraphs linkedtogether in a logical order.TransitionWords, sentences, or paragraphs used to hold the storytogetherIntroducing facts or new topics, the following paragraph clarifies.It should be a connection of 2 different subject paragraphs thatflow very smoothly togetherDescriptionDescription attempts to place the reader in the middle of theaction. Makes things real.Things are NOT as flat as an airport runway! They try to transactdata and can appear in any publicationResearchResearch is finding background information on/about your topicto help you write a more interestingstory that isn't just made up of faulty facts.It is data that is used to set the context of the story, to providethe reporter with an understanding of the issue or topicResearch (continued)It's a story worth printing, reading should be made up of locallygenerated direct quotes and personal observationFocusWhen you only use the information needed that matches andgoes with your theme and story.Example: diligent reporters get two to three times the amountneeded to use for their story and have to discard a lot of whatthey have collectedYour story will be a finished product and will go with the themeOrderA logical order of events in a yearbook.When you keep things in a logical chronological order and don'tjump around. Keeping a straight line of focus with the reader.Word ChoiceChoosing words that describe the story better.How does it look when used well?(weak) "He wore a T-shirt and pants with a belt"(better) "He wore a red Hollister T-shirt with blue jeans andstudded belt.InterpretationIt is making the reader feel more personal in the story almostlike they are related to what is in the story.It is used well when the reporter gets close the subject and usesthe personal involvement in the story.AccuracyIt is having the correct facts, such as names times dates andplaces.when it is used well the tone of the story matches the subject orinformation givenUnityWhen all individual elements such as theme, angle, focus, worktogether to make a concise and complete story, that becomesunified. Photos, fonts ect.. fit well together.It makes it look like it flows together and it was well thoughtout with a very complete look to it.Publications Writing