University of El Salvador Score: ______________

English Composition I

Student: ______________________________________________________ Date. ____________

Rubric for Evaluation of the Paragraph

Point Value 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 points

Topic Sentence Interesting, original Clearly stated topic Acceptable topic Missing, invalid, or
topic sentence, sentence presents one sentence presents inappropriate topic
reflecting thought and main idea. one idea. sentence; main idea is
insight; focused on one missing.
interesting main idea.
Supporting Interesting, concrete Examples and details Sufficient number of Insufficient, vague, or
Details (Sentences) and descriptive relate to the topic and examples and details undeveloped
examples and details some explanation is that relate to the examples.
with explanations that included. topic.
relate to the topic.
Concluding Conclusion is clear, Conclusion is An attempt was No clear conclusion.
Sentence complete, sums up the complete, relates to made to conclude,
paragraph and relates the topic, but is simple. but is incomplete or
back to the topic does not relate to
sentence. the topic.

Organization and Thoughtful, logical Details are arranged in Acceptable No discernible pattern
Transitions progression of a logical progression; arrangement of of organization;
supporting examples; appropriate transitions. examples; transitions Unrelated details; no
Mature transitions may be weak. transitions.
between ideas.
Style Appropriate tone, Appropriate tone; Clear Acceptable tone; Inconsistent or
distinctive voice; sentences with varied some variety in Inappropriate tone;
pleasing variety in structures; Effective sentence structures; Awkward, unclear, or
sentence structure; diction. Adequate diction and incomplete sentences;
Vivid diction, precise word choices. Bland diction, poor
word choices. word choice.
Mechanics Consistent standard Some errors, but none A few errors in Distracting errors in
English usage, spelling, major, in usage, usage, spelling, or usage, spelling, or
and punctuation. No spelling, or punctuation (3-4) punctuation
errors. punctuation. (1-2)
Comments:

Total Points: ______/24

Peer Assessment/Editing: ____

Peer Assessment
 RUBRIC DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH CRITERIA POINTS
4 3 2 1 Self / Peer
Attempt was made to Topic sentence is
Topic sentence is
Topic sentence is write a topic unclear and
Topic well written, correctly
complete and sentence but it is not incomplete, and is
Sentence placed, and
introduces the topic. effective at not introducing the
introduces the topic.
introducing the topic. topic.

Paragraph(s) have 6 Paragraph(s) have 4- Paragraph(s) have 3- Paragraph(s) have

Supporting or more supporting 5 supporting detail 4 supporting detail 0-2 supporting
Detail detail sentences that sentences that relate sentences that relate detail sentences
Sentence(s) relate back to the back to the main back to the main that relate back to
main idea. idea. idea. the main idea.

Conclusion is clear, An attempt was

Conclusion is
complete, sums up made to conclude,
Concluding complete, relates to No clear
the paragraph and but is incomplete or
Sentence the topic, but is conclusion.
relates back to the does not relate to the
simple.
topic sentence. topic.

Writer uses adjective Writer uses adjective Writer uses words Writer uses a
words and phrases words and phrases that communicate limited vocabulary
that linger or draw that linger or draw clearly, but the that does not
pictures in the pictures in the writing lacks variety, communicate
Word Choice reader's mind, and reader's mind, but punch or flair. strongly or capture
the choice of the occasionally the the reader's
words seems words are used interest.
accurate, natural and inaccurately or seem
not forced. overdone.

Paragraph has six

Paragraph has no Paragraph has one Paragraph has three
Mechanics or more
errors in punctuation, or two punctuation, to five punctuation,
and Grammar punctuation,
capitalization, and capitalization, and capitalization, and
capitalization, and
spelling. spelling errors. spelling errors.
spelling errors.

Paragraph includes
details that appeal to
Includes details that Includes details that Includes no details
three or more of the
Sensory Details appeal to three of the appeal to only two of that appeal to one
five senses
five senses. the five senses. of the five senses.
(taste,touch, sound,
sight, smell).

Total Points:

Peer Comments:

Descriptive Paragraph Rubric (Peer Assessment)

Name: ________________________________________ Class: _____ ( ) Writers name:

______________________________________ How well does the descriptive paragraph achieve the following
criteria? Criteria Needs work Fair Good Very good 1. Appeals to more than one of the five senses (e.g. sight, smell,
sound, taste, touch) 1 2 3 4
2. Makes use of literary devices (e.g. alliteration, simile, metaphor)

1234

3. Vocabulary (e.g. range of vocabulary, inclusion of specific details)

1234

4. Grammar (e.g. use of appropriate verb tense, subject-verb agreement)

1234

5. Mechanics (e.g. spelling, capitalisation, punctuation)

1234

Comments:

NET Section, CDI, EDB, HKSAR Assessment Form 2.3: Descriptive Paragraph Rubric (Peer Assessment)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Student Peer Assessment 2

Peer: ________________________________

Writer: ________________________________

Good Fair Needs Improvement

(N/A) (N/A) (N/A)
Topic Sentence Good Fair Needs Improvement
The topic sentence clearly and The topic sentence does not The topic sentence is not clear
effectively states the topic and effectively state the topic and/or and/or it is not apparent one was
the focus of the paragraph. the focus of the paragraph. included.
Focus on Topic Good Fair Needs Improvement
(Content) There is one clear, well-focused The main idea is somewhat The main idea is not clear, or
topic. The main idea stands out clear. The supporting there are very few details and
and is sufficiently supported by information is general and/or examples. There is a seemingly
detailed information and needs more detailed supporting random collection of
examples. information and examples. information.
The purpose for writing the
The purpose for writing the description is somewhat clear. The purpose for writing the
description is clear. description is not clear.
Sequencing Good Fair Needs Improvement
(Organization) Details are placed in logical Some details are not in logical Many details are not in a logical
order and the way they are order or expected order, and or expected order. There is little
presented effectively keeps the this distracts the reader. sense that the writing is
interest of the reader. organized.
Introductory & Good Fair Needs Improvement
Closing The introductory sentence grabs The introductory sentence may There is no clear introductory
Sentences the attention of the reader. The require an attention grabber sentence. There is no clear
closing sentence is strong; and/or your closing sentence closing sentence, the paper just
because it clearly reminds the may or may not remind the ends.
reader of the main idea and reader of the main idea or leave
leaves them with something to them with something to think
think about. about.
Description Good Fair Needs Improvement
Use of descriptive The writer is effective is their The writer uses some The writer did not use any
words (verbs, use of descriptive words. Used descriptive words. Used some descriptive words. Needs more
adjectives, many adjectives throughout to adjectives to make topic seem adjectives to make topic seem
adverbs, etc.) make topic seem real and vivid. real and vivid. Their paragraph real and vivid. Their paragraph
The paragraph does a good job does an okay job of painting a does not paint a picture in the
of painting a description in the picture in the reader's mind. reader's mind.
reader's mind.
The writer used at least 2 of the The writer did not included only
The writer used at least 3 of the senses and/or the senses should 1 sense and/or did not include
5 senses well. be used in a more effective way. any senses in the paragraph. If a
sense was included, it may not
have used effectively.
Grammar & Good Fair Needs Improvement
Spelling The writer makes a few or no The writer makes some errors in The writer makes many errors in
(Grammar, errors in grammar, spelling, or grammar, spelling, or word grammar, spelling, or word
Spelling, word choice that distract the choice that distract the reader choice that distract the reader
Mechanics, and reader from the content. from the content. from the content.
Word Choice)

Comments:
 Descriptive Paragraph Peer Review 1
Your name:
Student name of the paragraph you are reviewing:
1. Topic sentence
What is the topic of this paragraph? ____________________________________________
What is the overall impression of it? ___________________________________________
2. Concluding sentence
Does the concluding sentence clearly restate the ideas from the topic sentence?
____ yes
____ no
3. Supporting sentences:
Unity do all of the supporting sentences clearly fit within the narrow focus identified in the topic and concluding
sentences?
_____ yes
_____ no (cross out any sentences that do not fit)
Coherence
Is the use of nouns and pronouns consistent throughout the paragraph?
____ yes
____ no (mark these)
Do you think the writer needs to add or change any transition words or phrases?
____ no
____ yes (mark these)
Detail

Choose one sentence that creates a clear, strong mental picture for you. Copy it here:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Write one specific question here asking for more sensory details - about the person/place/thing the paragraph is
describing:
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

4. If the meaning of any words, phrases, or sentences is not clear to you, underline them with a wavy line.

5. Briefly explain one thing that the writer has done well in this paragraph.

6. Briefly explain the one area that you think needs the most improvement.