CATEGORY

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Meaningful Event

There is one clear, well-focused meaningful experience. Idea stands out and is supported by detailed information.

Author's experience is clear, but the supporting information is general.

Author's experience is somewhat clear, but there is a need for more supporting information.

Author's experience is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information.

Purpose of Events

Evey text event has a clear purpose. Every text event builds towards, shows, or explains the importance of the author's learning.

Most text events have a clear purpose. Most text events build toward, show, or explain the importance of the author's learning.

Text events are somewhat purposeful. Some text events build toward, show, or explain the importance of the author's learning.

Text events do not have a clear purpose in relation to the author's meaningful experience.Text events do not really show the importance of the author's learning.

Memoir shows "before"

The memoir clearly shows attitudes and feelings "before." Shows the "before" parts several times. Reader can easily understand the author's learning at the end.

The memoir shows attitudes and feelings "before." Author gives a few examples of the "before" parts. Reader can easily understand the author's learning.

The memoir shows attitudes and feelings. Author gives only one or two examples of the "before." Reader cannot easily understand the author's learning experience.

The memoir does not really show the author's feelings "before." Author gives no real examples of the "before" parts. Author's learning experience is unclear.

Memoir shows "after"

The memoir clearly shows the "after": Explains how the learning changed the author's life, and why it was significant.

Same as Level 4, but not as clear and not as detailed.

The memoir only somewhat explains the "after": Somewhat explains how the learning changed the author's life--not really clear of the significance.

Same as Level 2, but not clear at all. Little explanation or evidence is given to explain how the learning changed the author's life.

Grammar & Spelling (Conventions)

Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Capitalization & Punctuation (Conventions)

Writer makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the paper is exceptionally easy to read.

Writer makes 1 or 2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the paper is still easy to read.

Writer makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and interrupt the flow.

Writer makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that catch the reader's attention and greatly interrupt the flow.

Penmanship (Conventions)

Paper is neatly written or typed with no distracting corrections.

Paper is neatly written or typed with 1 or 2 distracting corrections (e.g.,dark cross-outs; bumpy white-out, words written over).

The writing is generally readable, but the reader has to exert quite a bit of effort to figure out some of the words.

Many words are unreadable OR there are several distracting corrections.