| Response to Journal Entry Prompt | 80.0% | Response to the journal entry prompt is not present. | Response to the journal entry prompt is incomplete or incorrect. | Response to the journal entry prompt is complete but lacks relevant detail. | Response to the journal entry prompt is thorough and contains substantial supporting details. | Response to the journal entry prompt is complete and contains relevant supporting details. |
| Mechanics of Writing includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, and language use. | 20.0% | Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied. | Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used. | Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are employed. | Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of speech. | Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English. |