CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Content

Substantial, relevant and illustrative content that demonstrates a clear understanding of the purpose. Thorough elaboration with effectively presented information consistently supported with well-chosen details.

Adequate, specific, and/or illustrative content that demonstrates an understanding of the purpose. Sufficient elaboration with clearly presented information supported with well-chosen details.

Inadequate, vague content that demonstrates a weak understanding of the purpose. Underdeveloped and/or repetitive elaboration with inconsistently supported information. May be an extended list.

Minimal evidence of content that demonstrates a lack of understanding of the purpose. Superficial, undeveloped writing with little or no support. May be a bare list.

Focus

Sharp, distinct controlling point made about a single topic with evident awareness of task and audience.

Clear controlling point made about a single topic with general awareness of task and audience.

Vague evidence of a controlling point made about a single topic with an inconsistent awareness of task and audience.

Little or no evidence of a controlling point made about a single topic with a minimal awareness of task and audience.

Organization

Effective organizational strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, which develop a controlling idea.

Organized strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, which develop a controlling idea.

Inconsistent organizational strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, which ineffectively develop a controlling idea.

Little or no evidence of organizational strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, which inadequately develop a controlling idea.

Paragraph Construction

All paragraphs include introductory topic sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.

Most paragraphs include introductory topic sentence, explanations or details, and concluding sentence.

Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well.

Paragraphing structure was not clear and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs.

Mechanics

No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors

A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.

Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

Sources

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format.

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format.

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format.

Some sources are not accurately documented.

Use of a direct quote

Accurately uses a direct quote.

 

 

Includes a direct quote, but fails to cite.

Use of paraphrased material

Accurately uses paraphrased material.

 

 

Includes paraphrased material, but fails to cite.

Works Cited Page

Accurate format