CATEGORY | 4 - Above Standards | 3 - Meets Standards | 2 - Approaching | 1 - Below Standards |
Attention Grabber | The introductory paragraph has a strong hook or attention grabber that is appropriate for the audience. | The introductory paragraph has a hook or attention grabber, but it is weak, rambling or inappropriate for the audience. | The author has an interesting introductory paragraph but the connection to the topic is not clear. | The introductory paragraph is not interesting AND is not relevant to the topic. |
Transitions | A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected | Transitions show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety | Some transitions work well, but some connections between ideas are fuzzy. | The transitions between ideas are unclear OR non-existant. |
Closing paragraph | The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader solidly understanding the writer's position. | The conclusion is recognizable. The author's position is restated within the first two sentences of the closing paragraph. | The author's position is restated within the closing paragraph, but not near the beginning. | There is no conclusion - the paper just ends. |
Audience | Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments. | Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that audience. | Demonstrates some understanding of the potential reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience. | It is not clear who the author is writing for. |
Capitalization & Punctuation | Author makes no errors in capitalization or punctuation, so the essay is exceptionally easy to read. | Author makes 1-2 errors in capitalization or punctuation, but the essay is still easy to read. | Author makes a few errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that interrupt the flow. | Author makes several errors in capitalization and/or punctuation that interrupt the flow. |
Grammar & Spelling | Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. | Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. | Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. | Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Sentence Structure | All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure. | Most sentences are well-constructed and there is some varied sentence structure in the essay. | Most sentences are well constructed, but there is no variation is structure. | Most sentences are not well-constructed or varied. |
Follows Directions | All of the directions have been followed completely. | Most of the directions have been followed. | Some of the directions have not been followed. | Many of the directions have not been followed. |