The State and Federal Court Systems
Course
Law
Enforcement I
Unit III
United States
Legal Systems
Essential
Question
What courts hear
which cases and
how is this
determined?
TEKS
§130.293(c)
(5)(C)(D)
Prior Student
Learning
Crime and
Punishment
Estimated Time
5 to 7 hours
Rationale
An officer needs to have a basic understanding of the state and federal court
structures and how it is determined which courts hear which cases so they
can be adequately prepared.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Identify the levels and their functions of a state and federal court
system
2. Describe the effects each level of the court system has on a case
3. Illustrate how a case moves through the court system by creating a
judge’s résumés and writing a news article on an inmate’s journey to
death row
4. Critique and analyze the accuracy of other students’ résumés and
reports
Engage
Use the following scenario and questions for a class discussion. Use the
Discussion Rubric for assessment.
You are an officer and have pulled over a traffic violator. You give the violator
a ticket and they ask you what court they should go to for the ticket. What will
you tell them?
Later in your shift you respond to an aggravated assault call. You arrest the
suspect for this felony. As you are booking him into the jail, he asks you what
type of court he will be going to for his trial. What will you tell him?
Key Points
I. Dual Court System
A. There are separate state and federal court systems
B. Federal courts deal with matters of federal law
C. State courts deal with matters of state law
D. Whether a case enters through the federal or state court system
depends upon which law has been broken
II.
Criminal Court Structure
A. Each court system basically consists of the following:
1. Higher Courts (superior)
2. Lower Courts (inferior)
B. The type of law defines the jurisdiction of each court
C. There is one court of last resort
D. There are some specialty courts
1
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III. Four Tier State Court Systems – state court systems are structured as
follows (from highest to lowest)
A. Court of Last Resort
B. Appellate Courts
C. Courts of General Jurisdiction
D. Lower Courts
IV. Lower Courts
A. Limited in what they can do
B. Can generally hear minor cases and conduct some pretrial activities
for more important ones
C. Most organized at the town, municipal, or county level
D. Referred to as the lower courts or misdemeanor courts
E. Dispose of minor cases
F. Sentencing options are restricted
V.
Courts of General Jurisdiction
A. Controlled by state law
B. Conduct preliminary activities and trials for felonies
C. Conduct appeals from lower courts (trial de novo)
D. Have general authority to conduct trial and pretrial activities in all
criminal cases
E. Courts of record
F. Have “exclusive” jurisdiction to try felony cases
VI. Appellate Courts
A. There are rights of appeal as determined by law
B. An appeal is not a new trial
C. The courts review previous trials for procedural errors
D. There may be two levels of appeals courts
E. Appellate courts do not try cases
F. An appeal is based on some contention of law
G. Oftentimes more than one judge reviews a case
H. The Appellate Courts may
1. Order a new trial
2. Allow the defendant to go free
3. Uphold (sustain) the original verdict
VII. State Courts of Last Resort
A. Each State has a court of last resort
B. In most instances, this is referred to as the State Supreme Court
C. It is the highest state court
D. It reviews issues of law and facts appealed from the trial courts
E. In Texas criminal cases, it is the Court of Criminal Appeals
F. Cases appealed from this court go to the United States Supreme
Court
2
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VIII. Federal Court Structure (From highest to lowest)
A. United States
B. Supreme Court
C. United States Courts of Appeal
D. United States District Courts
IX. United States District Courts
A. Each state has at least one Federal District
B. There are ninety-four districts in the U.S.
C. These are the primary trial courts of the U.S. system
X.
United States Courts of Appeal
A. These are also called the Circuit Courts because the jurisdiction
covers a large geographical area
B. They are usually located in major cities
C. They review cases from lower courts
D. These cases involve constitutional issues
XI. United States Supreme Court
A. This is the highest court in the land
B. Their decisions become precedents
C. They may choose to hear or not hear most of their cases
D. It uses the writ of certiorari to get case records
E. Nine Justices (one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices)
F. The full Court hears about one hundred cases per year
G. Four justices must vote to hear a case
H. There are majority, minority, and dissenting opinions
Activities
1. Have students complete the State and Federal Court System open-note
review quiz.
2. Have students apply for a United States Supreme Court position. They
must submit a résumé that lists the imaginary judicial positions they
have held. Each student will present his or her résumé to a committee of
congressmen played by the other students from the class.
The résumés will include a minimum of three state judge positions and
one federal judge position and list the duties they had, such as
describing the kinds of cases they ruled on and the ramifications of their
rulings on the next case. The more thorough and accurate the résumé,
the higher the grade. To extend the lesson have the class research
additional qualifications of a Supreme Court judge online. Use or have
the students playing committee members use the Résumé Rubric for
assessment.
3
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3. Have the students play the role of an investigative newspaper reporter.
They get news of a death row inmate who is scheduled to die soon but
has not wavered on his claim of innocence. The students’ assignment
from their newspaper company is to research the inmate’s crime and
how his case progressed through the court system. With the knowledge
that the United States Supreme Court will have the final say if the
inmate’s execution will go forth on the day of the execution, the students
will need to document how the inmate’s case progressed through the
state court system first, then proceed to the Supreme Court on the day
of his execution.
The students must remember that they are writing to a public that may
not be educated about the court system. To extend the activity, have the
students use various software programs to create the reports.
Additionally, the students may work in pairs to present their reports to
the class. Use the Writing Rubric for assessment. Have the students use
the Peer Evaluation Rubric to assess each other and the Group
Evaluation Rubric to grade each pair. Have them watch for creativity and
accuracy of the progression of the case.
Assessments
The State and Federal Court Systems Exam and Key
The State and Federal Court Systems Quiz and Key
Discussion Rubric
Group Evaluation Rubric
Peer Evaluation Rubric
Research Rubric
Résumé Rubric
Writing Rubric
Materials
The State and Federal Court Systems computer-based presentation
Computers with Internet access
Resources
Larry Bassi, The College at Brockport, State University of New York
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, students will research recent U.S. Supreme Court cases
and backtrack how they reached the Supreme Court. Use the Research
Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, students will research the qualifications of a judge at each
level of the state and federal court system, and describe the process of how
the judges are selected. Use the Research Rubric for assessment.
4
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.293. Law Enforcement I (One to Two Credits).
(5)
The student explores the United States legal system and the
requirements for law enforcement. The student is expected to:
(C)
analyze the similarities, differences, and interactions
between state and federal court systems;
(D)
illustrate the progression of a case as it moves through
local, state, and federal jurisdiction;
College and Career Readiness Standards
English/Language Arts Standards
I. Writing
A. Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate clear focus, the logical
development of ideas in well-organized paragraphs, and the use of
appropriate language that advances the author’s purpose.
1. Determine effective approaches, forms, and rhetorical techniques
that demonstrate understanding of the writer’s purpose and
audience.
Social Studies Standards
I. Interrelated Disciplines and Skills
C. Change and continuity of political ideologies, constitutions, and
political behavior.
1. Evaluate different governmental systems and functions.
Cross-Disciplinary Standards
II. Foundational Skills
B. Writing Across the Curriculum
2. Write in a variety of forms for various audiences and purposes.
5
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Name________________________________ Date__________________________
State and Federal Court Systems Exam
_____1. What determines whether a case enters through the state or federal court system?
a) the court system that has the fewest cases at the time
b) which law has been broken
c) the type of prison system that has the most room for inmates if the person is
found guilty
d) a and c only
_____2. What are the higher courts referred to as?
a) superior
b) inferior
_____3. What defines the jurisdiction of each court?
a) city and county populations
b) court decisions
c) judges
d) law
_____4. How many courts of last resort are there in each court system?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 6
_____5. What state courts conduct some pretrial activities for more important ones?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____6. What state courts can order a new trial?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____7. What types of state courts are mostly organized at the town, municipal, or county
level?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
6
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_____8. What state courts have sentencing options restricted?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____9. What state courts are controlled by state law?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____10. What state courts review issues of law and fact appealed from the trial courts?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____11. What state courts are courts of record?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____12. What state courts review previous trials for procedural errors?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____13. What state courts generally hear only minor cases?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____14. What state courts hear appeals in the form of “trial de novo”?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____15. What state courts can allow a defendant to go free or uphold an original verdict?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
7
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_____16. What type of state courts are referred to as misdemeanor courts?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____17. What state courts conduct preliminary activities and trials for felonies?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____18. What state courts do not try a case?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____19. What state courts may have more than one judge?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____20. What are the highest state courts?
a) Lower Courts
b) Courts of General Jurisdiction
c) Appellate Courts
d) Courts of Last Resort
_____21. At least how many federal districts does each state have?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 6
_____22. How many federal districts are there in the U.S.?
a) 24
b) 50
c) 52
d) 94
_____23. Which federal court must have four justices vote to hear a case?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
8
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_____24. Which federal court is also called the Circuit Court because the jurisdiction covers a
large geographical area?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____25. Which federal court has nine justices?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____26. Which federal court reviews cases from the lower courts?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____27. Which federal court hears about 100 cases per year?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____28. Which federal court hears cases involving constitutional issues?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____29. Which federal court is the highest court in the land?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____30. Which federal court is the primary trial court of the U.S. system?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____31. Which federal court makes decision that become precedents?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____32. Which federal court is usually located in a major city?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
9
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_____33. Which federal court may choose what cases they hear?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____34. Which federal court uses the writ of certiorari to get case records?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
_____35. Which federal court issues majority, minority, and dissenting opinions?
a) U.S. District Courts
b) U.S. Courts of Appeals
c) U.S. Supreme Court
10
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State and Federal Court Systems Exam Key
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. A
5. A
6. C
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. D
11. B
12. C
13. A
14. B
15. C
16. A
17. B
18. C
19. C
20. D
21. A
22. D
23. C
24. B
25. C
26. B
27. C
28. B
29. C
30. A
31. C
32. B
33. C
34. C
35. C
11
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Name________________________________ Date__________________________
State and Federal Court Systems Quiz
What determines whether a case enters through the state or federal court system?
1._____________________________________________
What are the higher courts referred to as?
2._____________________________________________
What defines the jurisdiction of each court?
3.____________________________________________
How many courts of last resort are there in each court system?
4.____________________________________________
Which state courts conduct some pretrial activities for more important ones?
5.____________________________________________
Which state courts can order a new trial?
6.____________________________________________
Which types of state courts are mostly organized at the town, municipal, or county levels?
7.____________________________________________
Which state courts have sentencing options restricted?
8.____________________________________________
Which state courts are controlled by state law?
9.____________________________________________
Which state courts review issues of law and fact appealed from the trial courts?
10.___________________________________________
Which state courts are courts of record?
11.___________________________________________
12
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Which state courts review previous trials for procedural errors?
12.___________________________________________
Which state courts generally hear only minor cases?
13.___________________________________________
Which state courts hear appeals in the form of “trial de novo”?
14.___________________________________________
Which state courts can allow a defendant to go free or uphold an original verdict?
15.___________________________________________
Which type of state courts are referred to as misdemeanor courts?
16.___________________________________________
Which state courts conduct preliminary activities and trials for felonies?
17.___________________________________________
Which state courts do not try a case?
18.___________________________________________
Which state courts may have more than one judge?
19.___________________________________________
What are the highest state courts?
20.___________________________________________
At least how many federal districts does each state have?
21.___________________________________________
How many federal districts are there in the U.S.?
22.____________________________________________
What federal court must have four justices vote to hear a case?
13
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23.____________________________________________
What federal court is also called the Circuit Court because its jurisdiction covers a large
geographical area?
24.____________________________________________
What federal court has nine justices?
25.____________________________________________
What federal court reviews cases from the lower courts?
26.____________________________________________
What federal court hears about one hundred cases per year?
27.____________________________________________
What federal court hears cases involving constitutional issues?
28.____________________________________________
What federal court is the highest court in the land?
29.____________________________________________
What federal court is the primary trial court of the U.S. system?
30.____________________________________________
What federal court makes decisions that become precedents?
31.____________________________________________
What federal court is usually located in a major city?
32.____________________________________________
What federal court may choose what cases they hear?
33._____________________________________________
What federal court uses the writ of certiorari to get case records?
14
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34._____________________________________________
What federal court issues majority, minority, and dissenting opinions?
35._____________________________________________
15
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State and Federal Court Systems Quiz Key
1. Which Law Has Been Broken
2. Superior
3. Law
4. 1
5. Lower Courts
6. Appellate Courts
7. Lower Courts
8. Lower Courts
9. Courts of General Jurisdiction
10. Courts of Last Resort
11. Courts of General Jurisdiction
12. Appellate Courts
13. Lower Courts
14. Courts of General Jurisdiction
15. Appellate Courts
16. Lower Courts
17. Courts of General Jurisdiction
18. Appellate Courts
19. Appellate Courts
20. Courts of Last Resort
21. 1
22. 94
23. U.S. Supreme Court
24. U.S. Courts of Appeals
25. U.S. Supreme Court
26. U.S. Courts of Appeals
27. U.S. Supreme Court
28. U.S. Courts of Appeals
29. U.S. Supreme Court
30. U.S. District Courts
31. U.S. Supreme Court
32. U.S. Courts of Appeals
33. U.S. Supreme Court
34. U.S. Supreme Court
35. U.S. Supreme Court
16
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
17
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Name_______________________________
Date________________
Group Evaluation
Group 1
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 2
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
9
Yes
10
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
18
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Group 3
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 4
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
19
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Group 5
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
Group 6
Did the group take the assignment seriously?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Could you tell what the group was trying to portray?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
10
Was the group portrayal creative?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
Yes
10
8
9
Yes
10
7
Did the group include the correct elements?
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Would you like to see this group demonstrate their talent for you in the future?
No
Yes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total Score_______
20
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Your Name___________________________________ Your Group Number_______
Peer Evaluation
1) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the skit?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the skit(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
2) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the skit?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the skit(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
21
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3) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the skit?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the skit(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
4) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the skit?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the skit(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
22
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5) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the skit?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the skit(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
6) Name of Student________________________________________
At what level of seriousness did they take this activity?
Not Very Serious
Very Serious
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to the brainstorming process?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Did they make a significant contribution to preparing for the skit?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
What was the level of their participation in the skit(s)?
None
A Lot
0
1
2
3
4
Would you want to work with this person in a group again based on
their level of productivity?
No
Yes
0
1
2
3
4
Total Score_______
23
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
24
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Résumé Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
All and only important résumé parts
are included.
Order of résumé parts fits the
applicant's assets and position.
Résumé items highlight strengths of
the applicant.
White space, margins, and tabs
used effectively and attractively.
Strong action verbs are used.
Information is clearly provided.
Total Points (24 pts.)
Comments:
25
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Writing Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
The writing has all required parts from
introduction to conclusion in smooth
transition.
The writing is interesting, supportive,
and complete.
The writing demonstrates that the
writer comprehends the writing
process.
Accurate spelling, grammar, and
punctuation
The content of paragraphs
emphasizes appropriate points.
The writer shows an understanding of
sentence structure, paragraphing, and
punctuation.
All sources and references are clearly
and accurately documented.
Total Points (28 pts.)
Comments:
26
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.