General Scoring Rubric

 

6- The paper is an excellent composition. It is written clearly and efficiently with effective diction and lively language. It has all or most of the following:

• solid organization
• clear plan and sense of completeness
• clearly defined support which includes effective reasoning, vivid details, and unique insight
• sentence variety and sophistication which enhances impact
• few or no errors
• mature specific vocabulary
• strong voice and tone
• uses prompt as basis for sharing unique insights or creatively develops prompt

 

5- The paper is a solid composition. It has all or most of the following:

• coherence between introduction, support, and conclusion
• clearly defined support which includes relevant detail
• few violations in conventions
• a variety of sentence structures
• clear, effective writing
• expanded vocabulary
• fully develops the prompt/thesis

 

4- The paper is an adequate composition in all elements but there may be some flaws. It has all or most of the following:

• a clear subject
• a few minor digressions from the plan but no major digressions
• generalizations supported by relevant detail
• some (but not many) violations in conventions
• some expanded vocabulary
• develops the major expectation  of the prompt/ thesis

 

3- The paper is a minimally adequate composition. It has all or most of the following:

• a subject somewhat related to the topic
• digressions from the plan
• limited support for generalizations
• some errors in conventions which may impede the reader
• common vocabulary
• addresses major intentions of the prompt

 

2/1- The paper does not meet minimum expectations. It has all or most of the following:

• unclear subject/absent main idea
• major digressions from plan
• support is simplistic, repetitious, vague, or confusing
• numerous mechanical errors which may interfere with communication
• paper too brief or unfinished
• limited vocabulary/incorrect word choice
• barely addresses intention of the prompt