CATEGORY

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3

2

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Content: FOCUS

Topic/subject is clear, though it may/may not be explicitly stated.

Topic/subject is generally clear though it may not be explicitly stated.

Topic/subject may be vague.

Topic/subject is unclear or confusing.

Content: ORGANIZATION  

Organizational structure establishes relationship between/among ideas/events.

Organizational structure establishes relationships between ideas/events, although minor lapses may be present.

Organizational structure establish some relationship between/among some of the ideas/events. The structure is minimally complete.

Organizational structure does not establish connection between/among ideas/events. The overall structure is incomplete or confusing.

Content: SUPPORT

Support information is related to and supportive of the topic/subject.

Support information has minor weaknesses in relatedness to and/or support of the topic/subject.

Support information has major weaknesses in relatedness to and/or support of the topic/subject.

An attempt has been made to add support information, but it was unrelated or confusing.

Content:: Vocabulary

Exhibits skillful use of vocabulary that is precise and purposeful.

Exhibits reasonable use of vocabulary that is precise and purposeful.

Exhibits minimal use of vocabulary that is precise and purposeful.

Lacks use of vocabulary that is precise and purposeful.

Content: ELABORATION

Elaboration consists of specific, developed details.

Elaboration consists of some specific details.

Elaboration consists of general and/or undeveloped details, which may be presented in a list-like fashion.

Elaboration is sparse; almost no details.

Content: Sentence Fluency

Demonstrates skillful sentence fluency (varies length, good flow rhythm, and varied structure).

Demonstrates reasonable sentence fluency.

Demonstrates minimal sentence fluency.

Sentence fluency is lacking.

Conventions

Exhibits EXCELLENT CONTROL of grammatical conventions appropriate to the writing task: sentence formation; standard usage including agreement, tense, and case; and mechanics including use of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Exhibits  CONTROL of grammatical conventions appropriate to the writing task: sentence formation; standard usage including agreement, tense, and case; and mechanics including use of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Exhibits REASONABLE CONTROL of grammatical conventions appropriate to the writing task: sentence formation; standard usage including agreement, tense, and case; and mechanics including use of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Exhibits MINIMAL CONTROL of grammatical conventions appropriate to the writing task: sentence formation; standard usage including agreement, tense, and case; and mechanics including use of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.