WRITING INITIATIVE RUBRIC

Targeted Area

Ideas and Content

States clear and welldeveloped thesis

Exhibits understanding
and interpretation of
assignment

Organization

Focus
Sequence
Transition

Development

Variety of sentence
structure
Word choice
Appropriate tone

Convention/Mechanics

Paragraphing
Grammar
Punctuation/
Capitalization
Spelling

MLA Citations:
Direct Quotes
Paraphrasing
Works Cited Page

o Provides an unfocused thesis

o Partially addresses topic/
content and/or illustrates
limited knowledge

o Lacks thesis
o Addresses the assigned topic/
content minimally or not at all

o Organization fully supports

thesis and purpose
o Establishes and maintains
focus
o Sequence of ideas is effective
o Transitions are effective

o Organization supports thesis

and purpose (may contain
some inconsistencies)
o Clear focus with some
inconsistencies
o Sequence of ideas could be
improved
o Uses some transitions

o Organization does not clearly

support thesis and purpose
o Lacks clear focus
o Sequence of ideas is ineffective
o Uses few transitions

o
o
o
o

o Effective development using a

o Development uses some

o Limited/brief development

o Minimal development with

o
o
o
o
o

wide range of specific

evidence/ data and relevant
details/ examples in a
compelling and insightful
manner
Sentences are varied, complex
and employed for effect
Word choice is precise,
appropriate, using advanced
vocabulary
Tone is mature, consistent,
suitable for topic and audience
Superior control of written
language
Minimal errors in
paragraphing, grammar,
punctuation/capitalization and
spelling

Comments:

o States a central unifying idea

as a thesis
o Addresses the assigned topic/
content in a
complete/acceptable way

Level at which
idea/thesis is supported
with details/examples/
evidence/data

Sentence Fluency/
Language Use

6
o States a central unifying idea
as thesis
o Addresses the assigned topic/
content in an interesting,
powerful and knowledgeable
way

Examplary use
of MLA
ciatation in text
for quotes and
evidence.
Workcited
created
accurately in
respect to
formatting

specific evidence/data and

relevant details/examples in a
logical manner

with little evidence/data and

relevant details/examples

Lacks organization
Little or no focus
Lacks sequence
Uses no transitions

lack of evidence/data and/or

irrelevant details/examples

o Sentences show some variety

and complexity
o Word choice is accurate,
generally appropriate, less
advanced
o Tone is usually appropriate

o Sentences show little variety,

simplistic
o Word choice is somewhat
immature
o Tone has inconsistencies in
tense and person

o Lack of sentence variety

o Word choice is immature
o Inappropriate tone in tense
and person

o Effective control of written

language
o Few and infrequent errors in
paragraphing, grammar,
punctuation/capitalization and
spelling

o Some control of written

language
o Errors in paragraphing,
grammar, punctuation/
capitalization and spelling
may create confusion and/or
interfere with meaning
o
In text quotes
and evidence
are lacking
citation
o
Works cited
lacking
componenets or
does not follow
formatting well

o Little control of written

language
o Frequent errors in
paragraphing, grammar,
punctuation/ capitalization and
spelling prevents
understanding
o
Quotes and
eveidence not
cited accurately
or at all
o
Work Cited
lacking
components or
missing

In text quotes
and evidence
are traceable
with few errors
Works cited
present well
produced with
only one or two
errors

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