CIVIL WAR LDC EXPOSITORY WRITING RUBRIC
Student_________________________Teacher__________________SCORE_______
What were the technological advances in the American Civil War?
After reading informational texts, write an essay in which you analyze the positive and negative outcomes from
those technological advances, providing examples to clarify over your analysis.
Score
___4 (EXCELLENT)
___3 (ACCEPTABLE)
___2 (BELOW AVERAGE)
___1 (UNACCEPTABLE)
Traits
CLEAR, WELL ORGANIZED, WELL DEVELOPED IDEAS
Main idea (thesis) is clear.
Topic sentences in body paragraphs clearly relate to main idea
(thesis). (3 positives and/or negative outcomes)
Factual supporting details clearly relate to topic sentences.
(pull information from LDC articles)
Transitions are used.
Introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion provide logical
sequencing of ideas, leading to understandable explanation,
instruction, definition, (or other expository content).
___4 (EXCELLENT)
___3 (ACCEPTABLE)
___2 (BELOW AVERAGE)
___1 (UNACCEPTABLE)
SENTENCE VARIATION IN PARAGRAPHS
___4 (EXCELLENT)
___3 (ACCEPTABLE)
___2 (BELOW AVERAGE)
___1 (UNACCEPTABLE)
WORD CHOICE
Lead sentence captures the reader's attention.
Intro. participial phrase (Hiding in the pantry, the mouse . . .)
(Shocked by his reply, she shouted . . .)
2 independent clauses separated by semicolon
(Mel guarded the door; he peered around the corner.)
Compound sentence (A.J. lost his book, but Sela found it.)
Appositive phrase (Kimmy, the balance beam champion, won . . .)
Intro. prepositional phrase (From the back of the room, Sam . .
.)
Intro. adverb clause (Although Ashley dances well, she . . .)
Variety of sentence length
Vivid, lively verbs are used.
Precise, accurate nouns are used.
Imaginative, unusual adjectives are used.
No vague, overused, repetitive language is used.
Striking words/phrases linger in the reader's mind.
Word choice gives the writer a personality, or "voice." The
writer is individualistic and writes to be read.
___4 (EXCELLENT)
___3 (ACCEPTABLE)
___2 (BELOW AVERAGE)
___1 (UNACCEPTABLE)
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Metaphor (My computer is garbage.)
Simile (My computer is like my best friend.)
Personification (My computer died.)
"Picture frame" word choice invites the reader to visualize a
mental image or picture.
___4 (EXCELLENT)
___3 (ACCEPTABLE)
___2 (BELOW AVERAGE)
___1 (UNACCEPTABLE)
GRAMMAR, USAGE, MECHANICS
No run-on sentences
No sentence fragments
Subject/verb agreement
Correct verb tense usage
Punctuation is correct.
Capitalization is correct.
Spelling is correct.
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