CATEGORY

10

7.5

5

2.5

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.

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.

Introduction (Organization)

The introduction is inviting, states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper.

The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper, but is not particularly inviting to the reader.

The introduction states the main topic, but does not adequately preview the structure of the paper nor is it particularly inviting to the reader.

There is no clear introduction of the main topic or structure of the paper.

Article Summary (Organization)

Concisely summarizes the main points in the article, each one equally balanced.

Summarizes the article but neglects some areas/focuses too heavily on one area.

Summarizes the article but gets into unnecessary detail.

Fails to summarize the article.

Sequencing (Organization)

Details are placed in a logical order and the way they are presented effectively keeps the interest of the reader.

Details are placed in a logical order, but the way in which they are presented/introduced sometimes makes the writing less interesting.

Some details are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader.

Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized.

Adding Personality (Voice)

The writer seems to be writing from knowledge or experience. The author has taken the ideas and made them "his own."

The writer seems to be drawing on knowledge or experience, but there is some lack of ownership of the topic.

The writer relates some of his own knowledge or experience, but it adds nothing to the discussion of the topic.

The writer has not tried to transform the information in a personal way. The ideas and the way they are expressed seem to belong to someone else.

Conclusion (Organization)

The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with a feeling that they understand what the writer is "getting at."

The conclusion is recognizable and ties up almost all the loose ends.

The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends.

There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends.

Length(Content)

Paper is 200 or more words long.

Paper is 180~200 words long.

Paper is 150~180 words long.

Paper is less than 150 words.

Vocabulary(Content)

Applies economic terminology and concepts learned in the first semester (three sectors of the economy, the business cycle, investment criteria, etc.)

Uses own vocabulary, applies some economic terminology and concepts but could use more.

Mainly uses words and phrases from the article.

Almost a copy of the original article.

Sources (Content)

All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly.

All sources used for quotes and facts are credible and most are cited correctly.

Most sources used for quotes and facts are credible and cited correctly.

Many sources used for quotes and facts are less than credible (suspect) and/or are not cited correctly.