cover letter

Levels of Achievement

Criteria

Limited

Developing

Proficient

Exemplary

Context

0 to 4 points

Letter shows no awareness of the job advertisement and does not make clear how your experience would benefit the employer. Does not use an appropriate, professional style and tone for the audience.

5 to 6 points

Letter shows little awareness of the job advertisement and makes somewhat clear how your experience would benefit the employer. Somewhat uses an appropriate, professional style and tone for the audience.

7 to 8 points

Letter shows awareness of the job advertisement and makes generally clear how your experience would benefit the employer. Mostly uses an appropriate, professional style and tone for the audience.

9 to 10 points

Letter specifically matches the job advertisement and makes clear how your experience will benefit the employer. Consistently uses an appropriate, professional style and tone for the audience.

Evidence & Analysis

0 to 4 points

Letter uses no relevant evidence to support the claim. Does not analyze and address the needs of the assignment and intended audience.

5 to 6 points

Letter uses little detailed, relevant evidence to support the claim. General ability to analyze and appropriately address the needs of the assignment and intended audience.

7 to 8 points

Letter uses largely detailed, relevant evidence to support the claim. Good ability in analyzing and appropriately addressing the needs of the assignment and intended audience.

9 to 10 points

Letter uses detailed, relevant evidence to support the claim. Strong ability in analyzing and effectively addressing the needs of the assignment and intended audience.

Objective Oriented

0 to 4 points

Does not make immediately clear the key message(s) and objective(s) – i.e. a “thesis” stating your experience and fitness for the job. Does not establish the appropriate context for why information is important – i.e. how your experience can benefit the employer. Key message(s) and/or argument(s) is/are unfocused.

5 to 6 points

Makes somewhat clear the key message(s) and objective(s) – i.e. a “thesis” stating your experience and fitness for the job. Somewhat establishes the appropriate context for why information is important – i.e. how your experience can benefit the employer. Key message(s) and/or argument(s) is/are somewhat focused.

7 to 8 points

Makes clear the key message(s) and objective(s) – i.e. a “thesis” stating your experience and fitness for the job. Establishes the appropriate context for why information is important – i.e. how your experience can benefit the employer. Key message(s) and/or argument(s) is/are focused.

9 to 10 points

Immediately makes clear the key message(s) and objective(s) – i.e. a “thesis” stating your experience and fitness for the job. Clearly establishes the appropriate context for why information is important – i.e. how your experience can benefit the employer. Key message(s) and/or argument(s) is/are clearly focused.

Organization

0 to 4 points

Lacks an organized and effective message. Main points not clear. Paragraphs are not coherent and show no progress of thoughts/ideas. Drifts off topic throughout. Document does not follow letter formatting instructions. Student does not follow assignment instructions.

5 to 6 points

Presents a somewhat organized and effective message somewhat supported by main points. Paragraphs are somewhat coherent, sequenced and show little progress of thoughts/ideas. Drifts off topic at times. Document somewhat follows letter formatting instructions. Student follows some assignment instructions.

7 to 8 points

Presents a generally organized, and effective message supported by main points. Paragraphs are generally coherent, sequenced and show a progression of thoughts/ideas with minimal topic drift. Document generally follows letter formatting instructions. Student follows most assignment instructions.

9 to 10 points

Presents an organized and effective message supported by clearly identified main points. Paragraphs are coherent, well sequenced and display logical progression of thoughts/ideas without any topic drift. Document follows letter formatting instructions. Student follows all assignment instructions.

Concision & Precision

0 to 4 points

Uses language that is wordy and does not include precise details. Jargon is not used appropriately.

5 to 6 points

Uses language that is somewhat concise and includes some precise details. Jargon used somewhat appropriately.

7 to 8 points

Uses language that is mostly concise and includes many, but not all, precise details. Jargon used appropriately.

9 to 10 points

Uses language that is concise and includes precise details. Jargon used strategically and appropriately.

Grammar

0 to 4 points

Does not adhere to grammatical, spelling or punctuation rules. Contains many errors.

5 to 6 points

Adheres to some grammatical, spelling or punctuation rules. Contains some errors.

7 to 8 points

Adheres to most grammatical, spelling or punctuation rules. Contains few errors.

9 to 10 points

Demonstrates sophisticated awareness and use of grammar and written mechanics. Free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.