Exemplary

Acceptable

Limited

Deficient

Ideas/ Content  (20  points)                                                                                            

This paper is clear and focused. The writing commands the reader's attention. Writing contains extensive and relevant details with examples to support topic/theme.(20)

This paper is clear and focused. It holds the reader's attention. Writing contains sufficient and effective details with examples to support topic/theme. (16)

This paper has a loosely defined topic, but may not be clearly developed. Writing contains some details with examples to support topic/theme. (13)

This paper has a general topic, but is not clear. To extract meaning from the text, the reader must make inferences based on sketchy or missing details. (5)

Organization (20 points)

Progression of ideas is logical and transitions are clear, effective and enrich the fluency of the writing. Introduction, body, conclusion and format are excellent. (20)

Progression of ideas has some inconsistencies in unity and/or coherence. Transitions are clear. Introduction, body, conclusion and format are good. (16)

Progression of ideas has major inconsistencies in unity and/or coherence. Transitions are poor. Writing has a weak introduction, body, conclusion, or all three. Format is fair. (13)

Progression of ideas is difficult or impossible to follow. Transitions are missing. Introduction, body, conclusion and/or format are lacking. (5)

Voice (10 points)

The writer is consistently aware of and connects strongly with the audience, presenting relevant details to the paper's purpose. Writing reflects a strong commitment to the topic and is engaging.  (10)

The writer is aware of and connects with the audience, presenting mostly relevant details to the paper's purpose. Writing reflects a commitment to the topic and is mostly engaging. (8)

The writer is somewhat aware of the audience, presenting some relevant details to the paper's purpose. Writing reflects some commitment to the topic. (6)

The writer does not demonstrate awareness of the audience, presenting few details to support the paper's purpose. Writing reflects lack of commitment to the topic. (3)

Word Choice (10 points)

Words convey the intended message in a precise, interesting, and natural way. The words are powerful and engaging. (10)

The language is functional, even if it lacks much energy. It is easy to figure out the writer's meaning on a general level. (8)

The writer struggles with a limited vocabulary, searching for words to convey meaning. (6)

The writer demonstrates a deficient vocabulary, using incorrect words to convey meaning. (3)

Sentence Fluency (20 points)

Sentences are well-built, strong, and varied in structure and length. Writing has an easy flow, rhythm, and cadence. Writing contains creative and appropriate connections between sentences and thoughts, showing how each relates to, and builds upon, the one before it. (20)

Sentences are well-built, strong, and may vary in structure and length. Writing has flow, rhythm, and cadence. Writing contains creative connections that build upon prior statements. (16)

Sentences begin the same way and follow the same patterns. Writing is more mechanical than fluid. Writing contains some connections that build upon prior statements. (13)

Sentences begin the same way and follow the same patterns. Writing is mechanical, and lacks fluency. Writing contains few or no connections between statements, and is difficult to understand. (5)

Conventions (10 points)

The writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing conventions (e.g. - spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, usage, paragraphing) and uses conventions effectively to enhance readability. Errors are so few that just minor corrections would make this piece publishable. (10)

The writer shows reasonable control over an acceptable range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability. (8)

Errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage, and grammar and/or paragraphing repeatedly distract the reader and make the text difficult to read. (6)

Errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage, and grammar and/or paragraphing continuously distract the reader and make the text nearly impossible to read. (3)

Presentation (10 points)

The form and appearance of the text enhances the reader's ability to understand and connect with the message. It has a professional appearance and fully conforms to project standards. (10)

The form and appearance of the text mostly enhances the reader's ability to understand and connect with the message. It has a mostly professional appearance and mostly conforms to project standards. (8)

The form and appearance of the text somewhat enhances the reader's ability to understand the message. It has a somewhat professional appearance and conforms to project standards. (6)

The form and appearance of the text does not enhance the reader's ability to understand the message. It lacks a professional appearance and does not conform to project standards. (3)