Tropical Rainforest

Rubric: Writing Assignment Rubric

Criteria Level 3 Level 2 Level 1

Criterion 1 -

Topic

selection &

approval

(20 pts)

Proposed topic submitted on time and

covered one of the assigned issues:

description of a current issue, its solution, its

economic implications, or impact on

ecosystems.

(20-18 pts)

Proposed topic submitted on time but weak coverage of

the assigned issues: description of a current issue, its

solution, its economic implications, or impact on

ecosystems.

(17-14 pts)

Proposed topic submitted late and/or and weak

coverage of the assigned issues: description of a

current issue, its solution, its economic

implications, or impact on ecosystems.

(13-0 pts)

Criterion 2 -

Scientific

Content and

Synthesis

(100 pts)

Facts, organization, and conclusions follow

a clear, logical sequence that supports the

thesis statement. Citations of scholarly

references support scientific content.

Accurate scientific information. No text has

been copied verbatim without proper source

recognition. Outstanding treatment of

applicable course outcome.

(100-90 pts)

Nearly all directions followed. Although the writing is

essentially well organized, the audience analysis, the

statement of purpose, or the handling of the content is

flawed. Occasional vague wording hinders precise

communication. Contains one to two science content

errors. One to two statements (or significant phrases)

have been copied verbatim without proper source

recognition. Superior treatment of applicable course

outcome.

(89-70 pts)

Unsatisfactory or incorrect content. Many content

errors; content is largely unsupported generalities.

Points are inadequately developed; few specifics.

Poorly organized; difficult to follow. Substantial

text (e.g., more than six statements or significant

phrases) has been copied verbatim without proper

source recognition. Significant overdependence on

one to two references. Did not satisfy applicable

course outcome.

(69-0 pts)

Criterion 3 -

Scholarly

APA

References (40

pts)

All references were in APA-style and were

properly cited using in-text and reference

listings. Used 6 or more references. Many

different, reputable types of references are

used (e.g., textbook, scientific articles,

encyclopedia, reputable Internet sources).

(40-36 pts)

Most references were in APA-style and were properly

cited using in-text and reference listings. Used 3-5

references. Many different, reputable types of

references are used (e.g., textbook, scientific articles,

encyclopedia, reputable Internet sources).

(35-25 pts)

Improper use of APA-style and/or in-text citations.

Used 3 or fewer references and/or consulted

unreliable resources (blogs, Wikipedia, etc.).

(24-0 pts)

Criterion 4 -

Effective

Writing

(30 pts)

No writing or grammatical errors. Words are

chosen and sentences are constructed to

make the information understandable.

(30-27 pts)

Contains a few grammatical, spelling, or syntactic

errors, which sometimes interfere with reading and

comprehension.

(26-21 pts)

Contains several grammatical, spelling, or syntactic

errors, which significantly distract the reader from

the content. Language is used inaccurately.

(20-0 pts)

Criterion 5 -

Format

(10 pts)

Met all formatting guidelines: was 5-7 pp

(min-max), including all figures/tables; used

12-pt font, 1-in margins all around, and was

double-spaced.

(10-9 pts)

Met most of the formatting guidelines: was 5-7 pp

(min-max), includes figures/tables; used 12-pt font, 1-

in margins all around, and was double-spaced.

(8-7 pts)

Met few of the formatting guidelines: was 5-7 pp

(min-max), includes figures/tables; used 12-pt font,

1-in margins all around, and was double-spaced.

(6-0 pts)

Overall Score Level 3

180 or more

Level 2

140 or more

Level 1

0 or more