Writing Assignment

Excellent (5 pts.) Good (4 pts.) Fair (3 pts.) Below Expectations (2 pts.) Poor (1 pt.)

Content  Specifically defines 3 strengths/themes in your

own words.

 Content is very easy to understand.

 Clearly defines 3 strengths/themes in your

own words though not as

in-depth.

 Content is easy to understand though there

are a few ideas or

sentences that are unclear

or are wordy.

 Generally defines 3 strengths/themes and/or

does not thoroughly

define in your own words.

 Content can generally be understood but ideas are

not specific and can be

difficult to interpret.

 Defines 3 strengths/themes but does not define them in

your own words.

 Content can be understood but ideas are basic, brief,

and choppy.

 Does not have all of the

requirements of

the assignment.

 Content is unclear and

ideas are not

very well

articulated.

Organization  Well-organized and easy to read.

 Sequence is logical and effective.

 Has strong, embedded transitions.

 Format is standardized with well-defined

headings.

 Nicely organized though the format could be easier

to read.

 Format is mostly standardized though some

headings are not easy to

define.

 Attempts to organize the material though it is not

easy to read and headings

are not well defined.

 Reflects no attempt to establish order.

 Some categories are defined while others are not defined

at all.

 Organization causes

confusion.

Details/Support  Uses specific examples from professional or from

personal experiences to

highlight strengths/themes.

 Uses interesting, varied and ample detail, which

engages the reader.

 Uses specific examples from class or from personal

experiences to highlight

strengths/themes.

 Uses a great deal of interesting, varied and

ample detail, but does not

paint a full picture

 Uses specific examples from class or from

personal experiences to

highlight claim/s

 Uses a moderate amount of detail, but still leaves

the reader with a cloudy

image and more questions

 Uses general examples from class or from personal

experiences to highlight

claim/s

 Uses general examples to convey experience or

personal assessment but not

specific enough.

 Missing specific

examples or

details.

Professional

Writing

 Contains sentences that vary in beginning,

structure and length.

 Writing is professional.

 Contains some sentences that vary in beginning,

structure and length.

 Writing is solid but could be more professional.

 Contains limited sentences that vary in

beginning structure and

length.

 Writing is good but uses colloquial terms.

 Contains simple, repetitive sentence beginnings,

structure and length.

 Has short, choppy sentences.

 Writing is too casual

 No sentence structure.

 Writing is unclear and too

casual.

Technical

Writing

 Uses correct capitalization.

 Writes with correct grammar and usage

(subject/verb agreement,

irregular noun forms, verb

forms).

 Uses correct spelling and writing is professional.

 Uses correct capitalization most of the time.

 Uses correct end punctuation

 Attempts to write with correct grammar and usage;

occasional errors do not

distort meaning.

 Uses spelling that is usually correct, especially

on common words.

 Uses inconsistent capitalization.

 Uses end punctuation inconsistently.

 Makes errors in grammar and usage that may

interfere with meaning.

 Misspells common words.

 Uses incorrect capitalization.

 Uses incorrect end punctuation; or omits

punctuation

 Makes frequent errors in grammar and usage that

affect meaning.

 Makes frequent spelling errors that significantly

impair readability.

 Errors make it difficult to

understand.