Composition Grading Rubric On the following page you will find an example of a grading rubric for writing assignments in college. Most of your professors will use something similar when assigning you a grade on your compositions. Notice that the top row begins with the highest level of Exceptional, and it then descends to the lowest level of Inadequate. As you move farther to the right, the number of points deducted increases. The top level of Exceptional has no loss of points. The first column outlines the six different categories where the student may be deficient in writing skills. In each of the half-dozen categories there are skills which comprise a category. For instance, the first category of Topic Development has eight components. If the student’s essay demonstrates a lack of Clarity, then Clarity will be underlined and a certain number of points will be lost. The professor will indicate the amount of lost points by circling the appropriate negative number. Assume the writing Lacks Clearly-Stated Positions Or Supporting Information. The student would have shown a Proficient skill level in the category of Topic Development, with a loss of three or four points. By examining the marked rubric, the student receives constructive feedback on his/her writing performance. The areas needing improvement should then be studied in preparation for the next writing assessment. This approach helps to eliminate the uncertainty associated with only receiving a number grade at the top of the essay with no accompanying explanation as to how that grade was derived. Each student should spend some time examining each of the parameters listed in the first column. One should understand what each factor involves. In this manner, the student has a good idea what the professor is expecting with regard to writing performance. Exceptional -1 Topic Development Content Development / Command of Material / Clarity / Focus / Relevance / Explanations / Support / Fluency of Expression full and rich development (focus, relevance, explanations, support, etc.); shows sophistication in fluency of expression organization fully appropriate and effective for topic (point of view, unity, paragraphing); very strong introduction & conclusion, thesis statement Word Choice / Fluency / Word Forms / Range / Detail / Elaboration broad and fluent range of vocabulary; elaboration and detail achieved through appropriate word choices; correct use of word forms Coherence / Cohesive Devices / Presentation of Ideas / Key Words / Transitions / References full control (logical coherence) and excellent use of cohesive devices (key words, pronouns, references, transitions, etc.); presentation of ideas extremely clear and coherent Variety of Patterns: Simple / Compound / Complex full range of sentence patterns (simple, compound, complex), effectively used; errorfree sentence-level grammar Writing Conventions / Title / Indentations / Spelling / Capitalization / Punctuation / S-V Agreement / Contractions Correct form - title, indentations; spelling, capitalization, s-v agreement, contractions, punctuation error-free -2 -2 mastery of sentence patterns demonstrated; may have occasional grammatical errors on the sentence level -1 Writing Mechanics -2 good control of cohesive devices; used successfully in a range of situations; coherence apparent -1 Sentence Structure -2 flexibility in range; appropriate use (word choice) of vocabulary in a variety of situations; mostly correct use of word forms -1 Discourse Control -2 organization controlled; generally appropriate to topic; appropriate paragraphing; introduction & conclusion, thesis statement, evident and appropriate -1 Vocabulary Proficient clear and complete development of content; high level of fluency in expression (clarity) -1 Organization Unity / Paragraphing / Introduction / Thesis Statement / Bodies / Conclusion Skilled -2 form - title, indentations; spelling, capitalization, s-v agreement, contractions, punctuation, errors few and not distracting -3 -4 development of content adequate, but lacks clearly-stated positions or supporting information; fluency of expression may be halting or awkward -3 -4 organization controlled, but limited; some paragraphing problems; adequate introduction & conclusion; limited thesis statement -3 -4 adequate range (word choice); no precise use of subtle meanings displayed; vocabulary sometimes used inappropriately; often incorrect use of word forms -3 -4 generally adequately connected; presentation of ideas generally clear and coherent; cohesive devices could be used more often and more effectively -3 -4 sentence patterns most often successfully used; several grammatical errors on the sentence level -3 -4 occasional errors in form - title, indentations; spelling, capitalization, s-v agreement, contractions, punctuation; sometimes distracting Developing -5 -6 development of content restricted; may be incomplete or unclear; lack of fluency in expression -5 -6 some organization apparent, but poorly controlled; introduction & conclusion, thesis statement, may be missing or incomplete -5 -6 narrow range (word choice); many word form errors; vocabulary often used inappropriately; only basic and elementary meanings are conveyed -5 -6 connections awkward; may be missing; lack of logical sequencing of ideas -5 -6 simple, compound, and complex sentences attempted but often unsuccessful; grammatical errors distract from meaning -5 -6 form - title, indentations; spelling, capitalization, s-v agreement, contractions, punctuation errors are frequent and distracting Inadequate -7 -8 simplistic statement of content -7 -8 minimal attempt at paragraphing, often unsuccessful; strings of sentences; no introduction, conclusion, or thesis statement -7 -8 simple vocabulary, often inappropriately used; no control of word forms; sometimes indecipherable -7 -8 connections not present or unsuccessful; presentation of ideas unclear and confusing -7 -8 attempts at simple sentences often not successful; many grammatical errors -7 -8 form - title, indentations; spelling, capitalization, s-v agreement, contractions, punctuation errors throughout