CATEGORY

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Introduction

First paragraph has a "grabber" or catchy beginning.

First paragraph has a weak "grabber".

A catchy beginning was attempted but was confusing rather than catchy.

No attempt was made to catch the reader's attention in the first paragraph.

Focus on Assigned Topic

The entire case is related to the assigned topic and allows the reader to understand much more about the topic.

Most of the case is related to the assigned topic. The case wanders off at one point, but the reader can still learn something about the topic.

Some of the case is related to the assigned topic, but a reader does not learn much about the topic.

No attempt has been made to relate the case to the assigned topic.

Organization

The case is very well organized. One idea or scene follows another in a logical sequence with clear transitions.

The case is pretty well organized. One idea or scene may seem out of place. Clear transitions are used.

The case is a little hard to follow. The transitions are sometimes not clear.

Ideas and scenes seem to be randomly arranged.

Spelling and Punctuation

There are no spelling or punctuation errors in the final draft. Character and place names that the author invented are spelled consistently throughout.

There is one spelling or punctuation error in the final draft.

There are 2-3 spelling and punctuation errors in the final draft.

The final draft has more than 3 spelling and punctuation errors.

Accuracy of Facts

All facts presented in the case are accurate. That is, if you describe a child with a disability it accurately reflects that disability and the related characteristics.

Almost all facts presented in the story are accurate.

Most facts presented in the story are accurate (at least 70%).

There are several factual errors in the story.

Setting

Many vivid, descriptive words are used to tell when and where the case took place.

Some vivid, descriptive words are used to tell the audience when and where the case took place.

The reader can figure out when and where the case took place, but the author didn't supply much detail.

The reader has trouble figuring out when and where the case took place.

Problem/Conflict

It is very easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem.

It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face and why it is a problem.

It is fairly easy for the reader to understand the problem the main characters face but it is not clear why it is a problem.

It is not clear what problem the main characters face.

Requirements

All of the written requirements were met.

Almost all (about 90%) the written requirements were met.

Most (about 75%) of the written requirements were met, but several were not.

Many requirements were not met.

Characters

The main characters are named and clearly described in text. Most readers could describe the characters accurately.

The main characters are named and described. Most readers would have some idea of what the characters looked like.

The main characters are named. The reader knows very little about the characters.

It is hard to tell who the main characters are.

Title

Title is creative, sparks interest and is related to the case and topic.

Title is related to the case and topic.

Title is present, but does not appear to be related to the case and topic.

No title.