CATEGORY

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IDEAS

*Clear and focused paper holds the reader’s attention * Ideas are fresh and original *Details are quality and go beyond the obvious and predictable *Ideas show insight and understanding of what is important

*Development is general and may be unfocused * Topic is recognizable but theme is not clear *More general observations than specific details *Ideas are reasonably clear there’s no strong sense of purpose

*Topic is yet undefined and development is basic *More information is needed for support *Ideas are not detailed enough to show understanding

*No clear sense of purpose or topic *Reader must infer meaning *Information and details are limited and unclear

ORGANIZATION

*Organization enhances the central idea and compels the reader through the text *Introduction and conclusion engage the reader and focus attention *Pacing, support, and transitions are controlled, logical, and effective

*Order moves the reader without confusion *Introduction and conclusion are present *Sequence is logical but “programmed” *Transitions and pacing are inconsistent *Organization doesn’t always support main idea

* Attempts at introduction and conclusion are recognizable *Connections are fuzzy *Sometimes the sequencing takes away from the content

*No clear sense of direction *Order seems random *Connections are missing *No real introduction or conclusion *Reader is confused

VOICE

*Writer is individual, compelling, and engaging *Person behind the words is honest and sincere *Strong commitment to topic is clear *Tone adds flavor and texture *Reader wants to share and talk about this piece *Many moments of surprise and delight

*Writer reveals personality and attitudes *Reader senses the person behind the words *Strong involvement with topic is evident *Some surprise and delight

*Writing is neither unique nor distinctive *Reads as though it could have been written by almost anybody *One or two moments of voice, but mostly generalities and vague language

*Writer is indifferent and uninvolved from topic and/or audience *Writing is lifeless and mechanical *Writing is functional and monotonous

WORD CHOICE

*Words are powerful and engaging, specific and accurate *Language is natural and effective * Writer has carefully chosen the precise word for the right spot *Striking words and phrases catch the reader’s eye

*Language lacks energy and precision *Words are adequate but without flair and originality *Occasional colorful language *Familiar words and phrases communicate but don’t engage

*Language is only functional *Words are generally used correctly *Attempts at original language seem like thesaurus overload *Jargon and cliches are present

*Language is vague and vocabulary is limited *Redundancy and incorrect word use distract the reader

SENTENCE FLUENCY

*Writing flows with rhythm and cadence *Purposeful and varied sentence structure enhances meaning *Writer has thought about the sound of the words as well as the meaning *Dialogue and fragments, if used, sound natural

*Writing has pleasant, steady beat *Sentences are usually grammatical but not well crafted *Some occasional variety in sentence structure

*More mechanical than fluid *Sentences are routine and unvaried *Writing is inconsistent with some awkward phrasing

*Sentences are choppy, incomplete, awkward, and unvaried *Even with editing, there would be no flow

CONVENTIONS

*Conventions are used effectively to enhance readability *Only minor “touch-up” is needed to publish *Conventions are used for stylistic effect *Paragraphing is effecting *Spelling of difficult words is usually correct

*Conventions are handled inconsistently *Paragraphing is awkward *Some errors are distracting but not serious *Spelling inconsistent *Moderate editing would fix most erro

*Conventions distort meaning *Many errors distract from readability *Difficult words often misspelled *Extensive editing required for publication *Paragraphing is attempted

*Errors repeatedly distract the reader and make the text difficult to read *Poor conventions are noticeable *Paragraphing is haphazard or missing *Extensive editing (every line) required