Parent’s Signature_______________________________________ SHORT RESPONSE RUBRIC Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Focus on Topic It is tightly focused on responding to the prompt. The focus statement or claim uses the prompt. The main idea stands out and is supported by detailed information that demonstrates a deep understanding of key ideas. It is largely focused on responding to the prompt. The focus statement or claim uses the prompt. The main idea is clear but the supporting information is general. It demonstrates understanding of key ideas. It is somewhat focused on responding to the prompt (it may stray often and shows difficulty I getting back on topic). The focus statement or claim somewhat uses the prompt. The main idea is somewhat clear but there is a need for more supporting information. It demonstrates gaps in understanding main ideas. It shows no attempt to focus on the prompt or it substitutes a different task. The focus statement or claim somewhat uses the prompt. The main idea is not clear. There is a seemingly random collection of information. It demonstrates little or no understanding of key ideas. Support for Topic and Elaboration There are 3 or more relevant, telling, quality details that give the reader important information beyond the obvious or predictable. For each piece of evidence, a perceptive and insightful analysis is given. There is a There are 2 - 3 details that give the reader relevant information. At least 2 out of the 3 details are well supported. For 2 out of the 3 pieces of evidence, a logical analysis is given. There is a sufficient explanation of ideas. There are at least 2 details that give the reader relevant information, but they are poorly supported or unsupported. There is some logical analysis, but there is a somewhat limited explanation of ideas. There are 1 or 2 details but the information is typically unclear or not related to the topic. The explanation of ideas is illogical. There is little or no attempt at explaining the ideas.
superior explanation of ideas. Organization The ideas are introduced in a mostly logical and effective order and can easily be understood by the reader. There is a powerful and relevant conclusion. The ideas are introduced in a generally logical and effective order and can be understood by the reader. There is a clear and relevant conclusion. The ideas introduced are seldom in logical order and can sometimes be understood by the reader. There is a somewhat clear and relevant conclusion. The ideas introduced are randomly presented or merely listed. The concluding sentence is missing or unclear and not relevant. Conventions The writer makes no errors in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or spelling, so the response is exceptionally easy to read. The writer makes 1 or 2 errors in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or spelling, but the response is still easy to read. The writer makes 3 or 4 errors in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or spelling that catch the reader’s attention and interrupt the flow. It distracts the reader from the content. The writer makes more than 4 errors in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, or spelling, that catch the reader’s attention and greatly interrupt the flow. It distracts the reader from the content.