Mr. O's English Classes

Northeastern State University           Tahlequah, OK

  
 

WRITING RUBRIC

 

These are basic guidelines for your writing assignments.  If you follow these guidelines you should have no problem with receiving an A.  These are in addition to the Editing guidelines.

NOTE: Everyone starts with an "A" in my classes because the grade is point based.
The final grade is determined by computing the total points for the semester and dividing them
by a percentage to achieve the letter grade brackets.

  
 

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Topic Sentence

Each paragraph starts with a well-constructed and focused topic sentence.

Almost all paragraphs start with a well-constructed topic sentence.

The topic sentences are not well constructed and they don’t focus on one topic.

Paragraphs do not start with a sentence with a focused topic.

Supporting Details

Each paragraph contains 2 or 3 details that support the topic.

Each paragraph contains at least 2 details that support the topic.

Each paragraph contains at least 1 detail that supports the topic.

Paragraphs do not contain details that support the topic.

Vocabulary

Vivid words and phrases are used that bring the topic alive and are used accurately.

Vivid words and phrases are used that bring the topic alive and they may not always be used accurately.

The vocabulary words used clearly communicate ideas but there is a lack of variety.

The vocabulary used is limited and does not adequately communicate ideas.

Grammar & Spelling

There are no errors in grammar or spelling.

There are 1 or 2 errors in grammar or spelling but they don’t affect meaning.

There are 3 or 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.

There are more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that make the paper difficult to understand.

Capitalization & Punctuation

There are no errors in capitalization or punctuation.

There are 1 or 2 errors in capitalization and/or punctuation but the paper is still easy to understand.

There are a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that distracts from the content.

There are more than four errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that make the paper difficult to understand.

Conclusion

The conclusion is well constructed and draws together all the details to form an ending.

There is a conclusion and it draws together most of the details.

There is a conclusion but it doesn’t draw together most of the details.

There is no clear conclusion or ending to the paper.

 

  
 
Adapted from the Microsoft Office Teachers Tools Template ©2002