This article introduces an objective grammar and math assessment and evaluates the assessment's outcome and reliability when fielded among eighty-one students in media writing courses. In addition, the article proposes a rubric for grading straight news leads and compares the rubric's reliability with the reliability of rating straight news leads on an "A to F" scale without the guidance of a rubric. The study found evidence suggesting all three assessments may be useful tools in evaluating student learning in basic media writing courses.