Focus
Focus
Support
Subject or position is directly stated
Writing stays on topic throughout paper
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper develops the subject
Conclusion effectively ends paper and
ties it together
Support
Subject or position is directly stated
Writing stays on topic throughout paper
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper develops the subject
Conclusion attempts to tie main ideas
together
Subject or position is implied
Writing stays on topic throughout paper
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper is not fully developed
Conclusion attempts to tie main ideas
together
Support
Organization
Each paragraph contains only one main
idea
Each paragraph has a topic sentence
Writing flows easily from one idea to
the next
Sentence structure and word choice is
varied
Sentences and paragraphs are coherent
(make sense)
Sentences and paragraphs are cohesive
(fit together)
Each paragraph has a concluding
sentence
Student uses at least 5 transitions to help
essay flow
Introductory paragraph begins with an
attention grabber
Integration
Paper is fully developed, appropriate to
grade level
Focus is clear and developed
Paper is balanced, with paragraphs
approximately the same length
Sentences and paragraphs fit together
smoothly
Organization
Each paragraph contains only one main
idea
Each paragraph has a topic sentence
Transitions have been used between
paragraphs
Sentence structure and word choice is
varied
Sentences and paragraphs are coherent
(make sense)
Sentences and paragraphs are
inconsistent (may not fit together)
Each paragraph has a concluding
sentence
Student uses 3-4 transitions to help
essay flow
Attention grabber is mediocre in
introductory paragraph
Integration
Paper is fully developed, appropriate to
grade level
Focus is clear but not developed
Paper is balanced, with paragraphs
approximately the same length
Sentences and paragraphs fit together
smoothly
Conventions
All rules and conventions of standard
English are followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)
Errors do not interfere with the readers
understanding of the writing
Conventions
Most rules of standard English are
followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)
Errors do not interfere with the readers
understanding of the writing
Conventions
Rules of standard English have
attempted to be followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)
Errors may interfere with the readers
understanding of the writing
4
EXCEEDS STANDARD
Major points are developed in detail
Details and support are developed
Appropriate vocabulary is used
throughout
Paragraphs have an inconsistent number
of details
Focus
Some points are developed, but not in
detail
Details and support are developed
Appropriate vocabulary is used
throughout
Paragraphs have an inconsistent number
of details
Organization
Each paragraph contains only one main
idea
Each paragraph has a topic sentence
Transitions have been used between
paragraphs
Sentence structure and word choice is
repetitive and lacks creativity.
Sentences and paragraphs are coherent
(make sense)
Sentences and paragraphs are
inconsistent (may not fit together)
Each paragraph has a concluding
sentence
Student uses 1-2 transitions to help
essay flow
Attention grabber is not used effectively
in introductory paragraph
Integration
Paper is fully developed, appropriate to
grade level
Focus is not clear
Paper is unbalanced, with paragraphs of
uneven length and importance
Sentences and paragraphs are not
connected to a single theme or idea
Major points are developed in detail
Details and support are developed
Appropriate vocabulary is used
throughout
Paragraphs have approximately the
same number of details
Focus
3
MEETS STANDARD
2
BELOW STANDARD
Support
Subject is unclear
Writing is not on topic
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper is not fully developed
No conclusion evident
Few examples used to support ideas
Details are not developed
vocabulary is used incorrectly
Paragraphs have an inconsistent number
of details
Organization
Each paragraph several different ideas
Topic sentences are unclear or missing
Transitions have not been used between
paragraphs
Sentence structure and word choice is
repetitive and lacks creativity.
Sentences and paragraphs are not clear
Sentences and paragraphs are
inconsistent (may not fit together)
Paragraphs do not contain complete
thoughts or ideas
Student does not use transitions
appropriately to help essay flow
No attention grabber is used in the
introductory paragraph
Integration
Paper is not developed
Focus is not clear
Paper is unbalanced, with paragraphs of
uneven length and importance
Sentences and paragraphs are not
connected to a single theme or idea
Conventions
Rules of standard English have not been
followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)
Errors interfere with the readers
understanding of the writing
1
UNSATISFACTORY
