Iowa Mock Trial Courtroom Journalist Competition |
The Iowa Mock Trial Courtroom Journalist Competition invites students to exercise their writing and journalistic abilities by playing the role of a courtroom reporter. Students will observe Iowa High School Mock Trial events and write an objective and informative written piece. This competition provides a platform for students to hone and exercise their journalistic abilities while engaging in civic education. Please see the details below for more information.
REGISTER HERE
Contestants must register at least 14 days before the first competition date.
2026 Courtroom Journalist Competition
State Tournament for High School Mock Trial
Iowa Events Center
730 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA
Round 1: March 30, 2026 – 4:30 PM
Round 2: March 30, 2026 – 9:00 AM
Courtroom Journalist Rules
Eligible Contestants
- Each Contestant must be a current 9th – 12th grade student in the State of Iowa.
Requirements
- Contestants must register at least two weeks (14) days before the first competition date. If a Contestant wishes to participate or fails to register, please contact the Iowa State Bar Association directly to inquire about late-registration.
- By registering, Contestants consent to their articles being published or reprinted for educational and/or marketing purposes without financial compensation.
- No financial compensation will be awarded.
Contest Procedures
- No computers may be allowed in the courtroom.
- Official journalist articles will be produced in either Round 1 or Round 2, but each Contestant may only submit one article for the competition.
- If the Contestant is enrolled in a school that is competing, the Contestant must complete their article within a courtroom where such an affiliated team is competing.
- The article must report on the observed trial. You must draft your article completely independently, without the help of any other source or person.
- During the trial, introduce yourself to the judges by name, identify yourself as the courtroom journalist, but do not mention your school affiliation.
- You may sit wherever in the courtroom, and the chosen location must be agreed upon by both teams and the judges.
- You must always wear your nametag while in the courtroom.
- Movement is restricted once the trial begins, and no communication is allowed with any participants or visitors during the trial. This includes non-verbal communication.
- Contestants must submit their final article to the mmanonsosa@iowabar.org one (1) hour after the completion of Round 2.
- Only articles submitted by the deadline will be entered in the contest.
Article Specifications
- Submitted articles should be in the voice of a reporter covering the trial.
- Each Contestant shall place their name only – not their school affiliation – on the top left corner of the first page.
- The article must be in 12-point, Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins.
- No article may exceed 850 words, excluding the Contestant’s name.
Judging
- Articles are evaluated and scored anonymously by judges. The journalist with the highest-scoring article will earn the title of “Courtroom Journalist State Champion.”
- Results will be announced online and via email communication using the email address provided during registration.
| Criteria | Outstanding (17-20 points) |
Above Average (13-16 points) |
Average (9-12 points) |
Below Average (0-8 points) |
| Clarity, Structure, and Grammar (20 points): Is the article well-organized and easy to follow? Did the reporter properly structure the story, using the most important elements early in the article (inverted pyramid)? Was proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation used? |
The article is clearly organized, with a logical flow that mirrors the trial’s progression. The headline and introduction are compelling, the key points are highlighted, and the structure supports easy reading. | The article is mostly clear and logically organized, but there may be some small areas where the flow could be improved. Information is generally easy to follow, but there may be minor issues with transitions or sequencing. | The article is somewhat disorganized, making it harder to follow the progression of events. Some sections may feel cluttered, and transitions between points or paragraphs could be clearer. | The article is poorly structured, making it difficult to follow the sequence of events. The lack of organization disrupts the clarity and flow of the report. |
| Newsworthy and Accurate Facts (20 points): Did the reporter write about the most newsworthy facts that occurred during the trial and not merely reiterate the case packet? Does the article accurately reflect the events of the mock trial? |
The article is factually correct throughout, with no errors in reporting. Key moments, testimonies, and actions in the trial are accurately depicted, and the writer provides a clear and faithful representation of the events. | Most of the article is accurate, but there may be minor factual errors or misinterpretations. The key events are generally reported well, though some details may be unclear or missing. | The article contains some factual inaccuracies or misrepresentations of the trial. Certain details or events may be confused or omitted, leading to a less accurate portrayal of the trial. | The article has significant factual errors or omissions. Key aspects of the trial may be misrepresented, and the overall accuracy of the report is questionable. |
| Vivid and Realistic Reporting (20 points): Did the reporter make the article vivid by using well-chosen direct quotes from testimony and/or descriptions of the courtroom scene, participants, or their behavior? Did the reporter write as if this was a real trial, not a high school competition? |
The article is rich in vivid details and well-chosen direct quotes that bring the courtroom to life. The reporter skillfully describes the participants' actions, demeanor, and expressions, adding depth to the coverage. The tone is authentic and professional, as if reporting on a real trial, creating a compelling and immersive narrative. | The article includes some vivid details and direct quotes, but the descriptions could be more dynamic or detailed. The tone is mostly professional, though there may be slight moments that feel less authentic or too focused on the "competition" aspect of the mock trial. | The article includes some quotes or descriptions, but they lack depth or are used sparingly. The tone may be more casual or focused on the fact that it’s a mock trial rather than capturing the atmosphere of a real trial. | The article lacks vivid descriptions and does not effectively use direct quotes. The writing feels flat, and the tone is too casual or focused on the high school nature of the mock trial, rather than presenting it as a legitimate legal proceeding. |
| Engagement and Storytelling (20 points): Does the article engage the reader and capture the drama or tension of the trial? Does the writer make the courtroom moments compelling? |
The article is engaging and captures the drama, tension, and key moments of the trial. The writer draws the reader in with vivid descriptions, compelling narratives, and a strong sense of what’s at stake in the trial. |
The article is engaging but may not fully capture the emotional intensity or drama of the trial. The writer conveys the key moments, but the storytelling could be more vivid or dynamic. | The article is somewhat dry or lacks emotional engagement. While it reports the events of the trial, it doesn’t fully draw the reader into the courtroom or convey the intensity of the trial’s proceedings. | The article is not engaging, and the key moments of the trial are underdeveloped. The story feels flat, and the reader is not drawn into the events of the mock trial. |
