| | MARGINAL 1 | AVERAGE 3 | EXEMPLARY 5 |
| IDEAS – Clarity | Ideas are unclear; difficult to follow | Ideas are somewhat clear; difficult to follow | Ideas are clear; easy to follow |
| IDEAS – Focus | Topic has no direction | Topic has some direction; wanders | Topic stays on track |
| IDEAS – Quality | Details are too basic, not developed | Details show more development | Details appear to be written by an expert |
| ORGANIZATION – Introduction | Lacks interesting lead; does not grab reader’s attention | Introduction generates some interest to read on | Introduction raises strong interest in continuing to read on |
| ORGANIZATION – Sequence | No order; ideas are not linked | Some order to the details; some ideas are linked | Effective order; ideas are linked |
| ORGANIZATION – Effective Conclusion | Paper just ends; reader left with questions | Conclusion evident; some questions still unanswered | Conclusion brings ideas together and answers reader’s questions |
| VOICE – Enthusiasm | Writer shows no interest in topic | Writer shows mild interest in topic | Writer shows obvious interest in topic |
| VOICE – Involvement | Writer does not engage the audience | Some engagement between the writer and audience | Writer fully engaged; feel writer is speaking directly to you |
| VOICE – Tone | Inappropriate tone; language is incorrect for intended audience | Language and tone are more appropriate for intended audience | Language and tone are directed to the intended audience |
| WORD CHOICE – Images | Does not create a picture in the reader’s mind | Picture is developing in the reader’s mind; more descriptive words needed | Clear picture is created in the reader’s mind |
| WORD CHOICE – Effective Use of Everyday Words | Ineffective use of words | Some words used effectively | Selection of words are appropriate and enhance writing |
| FLUENCY – Smoothness | Sentences have no connection to one another | Some sentences flow into one another; others are awkward | Sentences flow into one another |
| FLUENCY – Variety and Logic | Sentence beginnings are repetitious | Some sentences have variety in the beginning | Sentence beginnings are varied |
| FLUENCY – Differences in Length and Patterning | No variety in length or structure of sentences | Some variety in length and structure of sentences | Sentences are unique with variety in length and structure |
| CONVENTIONS – Editing | No evidence of proofreading or editing | Some evidence of proofreading and editing | Evidence that the author has edited and proofread with care |
| CONVENTIONS – Mechanics | Many errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage, paragraphing and capitalization | Few errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage, paragraphing and capitalization | Proper spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage, paragraphing and capitalization |
| CONVENTIONS – Presentation | No attention given to neatness and correct format | Some attention given to neatness and correct format | Pride is evident in final draft; work is neat and correctly formatted |