Okay, let me walk you through the evaluation criteria. Keep in mind that not every item will be applicable to your story. In that case, the judge will leave that item blank.

First category is “Overall Story”

News Value. This looks at just how relevant is the story is to a general audience.

Accuracy – Are there any factual mistakes, misuse of words or terms?

Fairness – Does it appear that you made a good faith effort to present more than one side of the issue?

Reporter Initiative – Going above and beyond. For example landing a hard-to-get interview or conducting original research.

Originality – You can approach the story the way most everyone else does. Or you can take a less obvious approach. As long as the approach is appropriate.

Take for example, homelessness. Most reporters tell the story by interviewing a homeless person or two. An enterprising reporter may spend a night actually living like a homeless person.

Journalistic Standards – Here we’re talking about the ethical and legal issues that may arise when reporting. For example, defamation…invasion of privacy…trespassing while reporting, and so on.

Next category is “Story Construction” this is the way you’ve conceptualized your report.

Let’s start with the Lead. Typically a reporter’s story is introduced by an anchor. Not surprisingly, this is called the “anchor intro.” The beginning of the reporter’s story is “the lead.”

So, when it comes to the lead, the judge is looking at a number of things. First of all is it the right lead…or did you make the classic mistake of “burying the lead.” Meaning you didn’t play to the most important or unique aspect of the story.

Does your lead grab the viewer’s attention?

Does it move the story forward. For example:

“Police still have no leads in the mysterious theft of …” is more compelling than “Last night a painting was stolen from…”

Is the lead cliché?

Leads such as “There’s good news for…” or “There’s bad news for…” are overused.

Pacing – Is the story well paced? Or are there long narrations or long soundbites that drag.

MOS – Using man-on-the-street interviews adds pacing. It also brings the opinions of ordinary people into the story.

Natural Sound Breaks – Breaking up long sections with natural Sound up full, like the beeping of horns…or the chanting of the demonstrators is another pacing technique. It also makes the report more “alive.”

Visualizes Difficult Concepts – Here’s we’re talking about how the reporter handles a hard to grasp concept. Rather than simply saying, “Every year, Americans eat 35-thosands tons of ice cream.” You can put it into better perspective by adding:. “…that’s equal to the weight of a modern day aircraft carrier.”

Uses Graphics – On-screen graphics add clarity and pacing

Let’s move on to writing…

Is it easy to follow?

Are the explanations clear?

Is the vocabulary appropriate? Are you writing for a level that’s above your audience? Are you using the right words? For example, it’s incorrect to call a thief a robber.
Also included here is: grammar.

Esoteric terms. This is sort of a subset of appropriate vocabulary. From complex medical terms…to insider jargon, did you leave you viewer in the dust, or did you take the time to explain what they mean?

Numbers – There’s an adage in TV journalism “Numbers in news tend to confuse.” Here the judges are looking at whether the use of numbers obfuscated your story. By the way, “obfuscated” is a terrible word for TV news.

Concise – Here’s another news adage: “Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Tell them. Then tell them what you’re going to tell them.”

But in TV news, you’re working with limited time. So you need to get to the point and avoid unnecessary repetition of details that are not needed. See? I wasn’t very concise with that, now was I?

Active Voice – Instead of saying: “A man suspected of rape has been arrested by police”
Active voice would be: “Police arrested a man suspected of rape…”

Powerful, Descriptive – “A cement mixer hit a bus.” is bland. “A cement mixer slammed into a crowded bus” coveys a far more compelling picture

Easy to deliver sentences. Long, wordy sentences are harder to read well, than shorter, punchier ones.

Next category is “Reporter – Overall Delivery”

Most of the items here are pretty clear.

Let’s skip down to the OC Bridges: use of locations. This means, did you do more than just stand there? For example, assume you covered the circus parade. Doing your on-camera close while riding an elephant would be a nice touch.

Interview Technique – This is not applicable to all stories, since we may not be able to tell if you committed transgressions — another poor TV word. For example, constantly interrupting your interviewee. Or whether you have an easy, friendly manner that puts people at ease.

The final two categories are Camera Work and Editing.. All the criteria in these two categories should be pretty obvious.

Take care…