In scoring, consider the

grid of written language

Score
Content
and
Organization

Inadequate Command

Limited Command

Partial Command

1
May lack opening
and/or closing

2
May lack opening
and/or closing

Minimal response to
topic; uncertain
focus

Attempts to focus
May drift off
Shift of focus

Usually has single

focus

No planning evident;
disorganized

Attempts
organization
Few, if any,
transitions
between ideas

Some lapses or flaws

in organization
May lack some
transitions
between ideas

3
May lack opening
and/or closing

Adequate
Command

4
Generally has
opening and/or
closing
Single focus

Ideas loosely
connected
Transitions evident

Strong
Command

5
Opening and closing

Superior
Command

6
Opening and closing

Single focus
Sense of unity and
coherence
Key ideas developed
Logical progression
of ideas
Moderately fluent
Attempts
compositional
risks
Details appropriate
and varied

Single, direct focus

Unified and coherent
Well-developed

Logical progression
of ideas
Fluent, cohesive
Compositional risks
successful

Details effective,
vivid, explicit,
and/or pertinent

Details random,
inappropriate, or
barely apparent

Details lack
elaboration, i.e.,
highlight paper

Repetitious details
Several unelaborated
details

Uneven development
of details

Usage

No apparent control
Severe/numerous
errors

Numerous errors

Errors/patterns of
errors may be
evident

Some errors that do

not interfere
with meaning

Few errors

Very few,
if any, errors

Sentence
Construction

Assortment of
incomplete and/or
incorrect sentences

Excessive monotony/
same structure
Numerous errors

Little variety in
syntax
Some errors

Some variety
Generally correct

Precision and/or
sophistication
No errors

Variety in syntax
appropriate
and effective
Few errors

Numerous, serious
errors

Patterns of errors
evident

Few errors

Very few, if any,

errors

Requirements are
adequately met
Information is
logically concise

Requirements are
exceeded
Information is
logically concise

Mechanics

Requirements

Errors so severe they

detract from meaning

Lacks numerous
requirements
Information is not
evident

Numerous
requirements are
missing
Lacks imperative
information

Not all requirements

are met
Lacks imperative
information

No consistent
pattern of errors
Some errors that do
not interfere
with meaning
Not all requirements
are met
Information is
relatively logical

Use of Reference

References are not

evident.

References
minimally cited.

References are
seldom cited to
support statements.

Research

Relevant
research is not
evident
Analysis is not
present
A clear focus is
not evident to
the reader

Relevant
information is
not identified
Analysis is
vague
Reader does not
have a focus

Central purpose or
argument is not
clearly identified
Analysis is vague
Reader is confused
or may be
misinformed.

Although attributions
are
occasionally given,
many
statements seem
unsubstantiated.
The reader is
confused about the
source of
information and
ideas.

Information supports
a central purpose or
argument at times.
Analysis is basic or
general.
Reader gains few
insights.

Professionally
legitimate sources
that support claims
are generally present
and attribution is, for
the most part, clear
and fairly
represented.

Information provides
reasonable support
for a central purpose
or argument and
displays evidence of
a basic analysis of a
significant topic.
Reader gains some
insights.

Compelling evidence
from professionally
legitimate sources is
given to support
claims.
Attribution is clear
and fairly
represented.

Balanced
presentation of
relevant and
legitimate
information that
clearly supports a
central purpose or
argument and shows
a thoughtful, indepth analysis of a
significant topic.
Reader gains
important insights.