CATEGORY

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Salutation and Closing

Salutation and closing have no errors in capitalization and punctuation.

Salutation and closing have 1-2 errors in capitalization and punctuation.

Salutation and closing have 3 or more errors in capitalization and punctuation.

Salutation and/or closing are missing.

Ideas

Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what made this candidate qualified for the job. (Specific reasons)

Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organziation could have been better. Qualities were somewhat ambiguous.

Ideas were somewhat organized, but were not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what made the candidate qualified for the job.

The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out just what the candidate wanted.

Format

Complies with all the requirements for a business letter.

Complies with almost all the requirements for a business letter.

Complies with several of the requirements for a business letter.

Complies with less than 75% of the requirements for a business letter.

Neatness

Letter is typed, clean, not wrinkled, and is easy to read with no distracting error corrections. It was done with pride.

Letter is neatly hand-written, clean, not wrinkled, and is easy to read with no distracting error corrections. It was done with care.

Letter is typed and is crumpled or slightly stained. It may have 1-2 distracting error corrections. It was done with some care.

Letter is typed and looks like it had been shoved in a pocket or locker. It may have several distracting error corrections. It looks like it was done in a hurry or stored improperly.

Sentences & Paragraphs

Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of varied structure.

All sentences are complete and well-constructed (no fragments, no run-ons). Paragraphing is generally done well.

Most sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing needs some work.

Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR paragraphing needs lots of work.

Grammar & spelling (conventions)

Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling.

Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar and/or spelling.

Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar and/or spelling

Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar and/or spelling.

Length

The letter is 5 or more sentences.

The letter is 4 sentences.

The letter is 3 sentences.

The letter is less than 2 sentences.