Category Beginning 5 points/2.5 points Developing 10 points/5 points Accomplished 15 points/7.5 pts Exemplary 20 points/10 points Thesis and Support The writing may need a more clearly articulated thesis and/or appropriate related subordinate ideas. Fuzzy logic may be evident and adequate supporting evidence is lacking. 5/5 The writing has a clear thesis and related subordinate ideas supported by clear thinking and appropriate evidence. Logical arguments may be one-sided or incomplete. 10/10 The writing has a clearly articulated thesis supported by appropriate evidence and sound logic. Minor gaps in logic and argument may appear. 15/15 The writing has a clearly articulated original thesis and subordinate ideas supported by reliable and relevant evidence based on original research. 20/20 Organization The writing is noticeably lacking in organization. There is no clear introduction nor conclusion and ideas are neither carefully nor fully developed. Supporting evidence is clearly lacking. 5/5 The writing demonstrates rudimentary organization and logical structure, but ideas may be more fully developed and supported by more appropriate evidence. 10/10 The writing is organized logically and flows well. An introduction and conclusion are evident, but transitions may be smoother. 15/15 The writing flows smoothly and logically from a thesis. It contains an appropriate introduction, conclusion, and smooth transitions. 20/20 Style The writing clarity and is sometimes confusing. The language chosen is not appropriate to the subject nor the assignment. 5/5 The writing is clear but could be expressed in a style more appropriate to the subject. It is jargon-free but may require a more complete explanation of some terms used. The writing the reader’s attention through a carefully crafted prose style. Language chosen is appropriate to the subject, but may call attention to The writing engages the reader through an original prose style appropriate to the subject. Language is precise. Sentences are varied but not noticeably so. Active voice is apparent. 20/20
10/10 itself in minor ways. 15/15 Mechanics/Syntax/Grammar The writing exhibits substantial errors in grammar and style so that the basic ideas are lost. Sources are overly quoted and not adequately documented nor cited. 5/5 The writing could benefit from additional proofreading, as some errors impede the flow of the reading. Sources are documented and cited but need to show greater consistency. 10/10 The writing may exhibit a few minor errors in grammar or style, but do impair the flow of the reading. Most quoted material is properly documented and cited. 15/15 The writing is free of grammatical, proofreading, and stylistic errors. All quoted material is properly documented and cited. 20/20 APA format There are no resources cited. 2.5/2.5 References and in-text citations are included, but both are formatted incorrectly. 5/5 Either References or in-text citations are formatted incorrectly, or too much of the content is quoted or paraphrased, resulting in little original work. 7.5/7.5 References and citations are included, appropriate and formatted correctly. Enough of the content is created by the student. 10/10 Timeliness and Format Assignment is not handed in by deadline and file name is not labeled using guidelines provided 2.5/2.5 Assignment is either not submitted by the due date or is not labeled correctly. 5/5 Assignment is turned in by the due date and is labeled correctly. 10/10