Effective Communication: Written

Students construct clear written and spoken messages demonstrating understanding of audience and context, including response to verbal
and nonverbal feedback.

Class/Assignment:
Skill Component Exemplary
Content: Opening/Attention getter is
highly effective and
Information or material engaging.
expressed through a
medium in a substantive Topic/thesis statement is
manner clearly stated and well
developed.
Wording is clear, specific, and
appropriate for the topic.
Outstanding evidence,
examples, and/or explanation
support the topic and
purpose.
Conclusion is clear/decisive.
Proficient
Opening/Attention getter is
effective, but not engaging.
Topic/thesis statement is
evident and partially
developed.
Wording is partially clear,
specific, and appropriate for
the topic.
Evidence, examples, and/or
explanation support the
topic, but lack consistency.
Conclusion apparent, but not
strong.
Developing
Opening/Attention getter is
evident, but not effective.
Topic/thesis statement is not
completely clear.
Wording is at times unclear,
lacks specificity, or is
inappropriate for the topic.
Some examples and
explanation support the
topic.
Conclusion weak or unclear.
Does Not
No Evidence
Apply
Attention getter is not
present.
Topic/thesis statement is
missing.
Wording is unclear, lacks
specificity, or inappropriate
for the topic.
Evidence, explanation, and/or
explanation do not support
the topic and purpose.
No conclusion.

<Insert part of the actual

assignment or describe
the part of the
assignment here>. <operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here>
Remove prompts from
any unused skill
components or levels.

Organization: Information and ideas are
exceptionally relevant,
Forming interdependent logical, and organized
parts into a whole
around a central theme.
Transitions and/or flow
between ideas are excellent.
Most information is relevant
and organized around a
central theme.
Transitions and/or flow
between ideas are evident.
Some information is relevant,
but unorganized.
Awkward transitions and/or
flow between ideas.
Information is not relevant or
organized.
Transitions and/or flow
between ideas are non-
existent.

<Insert part of the actual

assignment or describe
<operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here>
the part of the
assignment here>.

Effective_Comm_Written_Rubric_Template_6-17-2016 Page 1 of 3 Based on Rubric Revision November, 2014

 Effective Communication: Written
Students construct clear written and spoken messages demonstrating understanding of audience and context, including response to verbal
and nonverbal feedback.

Class/Assignment:
Does Not
Skill Component Exemplary Proficient Developing No Evidence
Apply
Documentation: All documentation is clear, Most documentation is clear Some documentation is clear Proper documentation and
complete, and formatted and consistent according to and consistent according to formatting is missing.
Use of evidence through according to the style guide. the style guide (e.g., 2+ the style guide (e.g., 4+
oral citations errors). errors).

<Insert part of the actual

assignment or describe
<operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here>
the part of the
assignment here>.

Audience: Topic effectively and
accurately targets the
A collective group of audience.
listeners
Information is appropriate and
effective for the audience.
Word choice is effective,
eloquent, and appropriate for
the audience.
Topic reflects attention to the
target audience.
Most information is
appropriate and effective for
the audience.
Word choice is effective and
appropriate for the audience.
Topic somewhat reflects
attention to the target
audience.
Some information is
appropriate and effective for
the audience.
Word choice is partially
appropriate for the audience.
No recognition of target
audience in topic selection.
Information is neither
appropriate nor effective for
the audience.
Word choice is not appropriate
for the audience.

<Insert part of the actual

assignment or describe
<operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here> <operationalize here>
the part of the
assignment here>.

Effective_Comm_Written_Rubric_Template_6-17-2016 Page 2 of 3 Based on Rubric Revision November, 2014

 Effective Communication: Written
Students construct clear written and spoken messages demonstrating understanding of audience and context, including response to verbal
and nonverbal feedback.

Class/Assignment:
Skill Component
Style & Mechanics:
The routine or basic
methods and techniques
used to arrange thoughts in
a way that is characteristic
of a group, period, person,
personality, etc.
<Insert part of the actual
assignment or describe
the part of the
assignment here>.
Exemplary
Word choice is appropriate,
eloquent, and effective for
the topic.
Sentence structure is varied
and interesting.
Voice and tone are engaging,
effective, and appropriate to
the assignment.
Spelling is correct;
typographical errors are
absent.
Grammar and punctuation
rules are always followed.
<operationalize here>
Proficient
Word choice is appropriate and
effective for the topic.
Sentence structure is
occasionally varied.
Voice and tone are appropriate
to the assignment.
A few spelling and/or
typographical errors are
present (e.g., 2+ errors).
A few grammar and/or
punctuation errors are
present (e.g., 2+ errors).
<operationalize here>
Developing
Word choice is occasionally
inappropriate and/or
ineffective for topic.
Sentence structure does not
vary.
Voice and tone are
occasionally appropriate to
the assignment.
Several spelling and/or
typographical errors are
present (e.g., 4+ errors).
Several grammar and/or
punctuation errors are
present (e.g., 4+ errors).
<operationalize here>
Does Not
No Evidence
Apply
Word choice is consistently
ineffective and/or
inappropriate.
Writing lacks comprehensible
sentence structure.
Voice and tone are not
appropriate to the
assignment.
Numerous spelling and/or
typographical errors are
present.
Numerous grammar and/or
punctuation errors are
present.
<operationalize here>

Effective_Comm_Written_Rubric_Template_6-17-2016 Page 3 of 3 Based on Rubric Revision November, 2014