Rubric for Article Summary Assignment
Elements of
Summary
Organization
Tone
Advanced

Effectively paraphrase
text’s main argument or
topic, main ideas, and
important details

A concluding sentence
effectively brings the
summary to a close

Shows clear
understanding of original
text

Free of specific details
and personal
reflection/opinion

Summary is written in
logical order

Summary is coherent
and focused throughout

Uses appropriate
transitions so the essay
flows smoothly



Mechanics

Discussion


Preparation


Proficient

Paraphrase text’s main
argument or topic, main ideas,
and important details

a concluding sentence brings
the summary to a close, but
extraneous details or
reflections may be added

Shows some understanding of
original text

Includes a few specific details
and/or reflection



Writing is tailored to the
audience
Effective word choice is
used
Effective sentence
structure is used
There are few or no
errors in mechanics,
usage, grammar, or
spelling.

Provided at least 3
thought provoking
questions
Served as facilitator by
leading the discussion,
getting everyone
involved, and remained
unbiased
Provides all materials in
a timely manner
Exhibits clear
understanding of material







Developing

Includes some
paraphrasing, but also some
copying of portions of text

the summary may lack a
conclusion or include
extraneous details or
reflections

Shows little understanding of
original text

Includes many specific
examples and/or reflections
Summary is written in a
generally logical order
Summary is mostly coherent
and focused
Summary flows smoothly
without the use of transitions

Most of the writing is tailored to
the audience
Word choice is fairly concise
and effective
Includes a variety of sentence
structures
Has some errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization or
punctuation. Errors do not
interfere with understanding

Provided at least 3 questions
that were mostly thought
provoking
Served as facilitator by leading
the discussion but made little
attempt to involved everyone
and may have been somewhat
biased
Most materials were provided
in a timely manner
Mostly exhibits a clear
understanding of material









Not-Proficient

Does not attempt to paraphrase

it lacks a conclusion and
includes extraneous or minor
details or reflections

Shows no understanding of
original text

Writing is mostly specific
examples and/or reflections
Summary contains all
components but is not
necessarily written in logical
order
Summary may or may not
be coherent but lacks focus
Summary lacks transitions
but is still comprehendible
Most of the writing is not
tailored to the audience
Word choice is vague or
repetitive
Mostly uses simple sentence
structure
Has several errors in
grammar, spelling,
capitalization, or
punctuation. Errors may
interfere with understanding.
Provided at least 3
questions but were lacking
The discussion was lacking
due to poor facilitation and
involvement

Some materials were
provided on time but some
were late or missing
Shows some confusion or
lack of knowledge with the
material






Summary does not use a logical
order
Summary is incoherent and
lacks focus
Summary fails to use
transitions, making the essay
difficult to understand
The writer is completely
unaware of the audience
Word choice is confusing or
misleading
Uses only simple sentences

Has serious errors in grammar,
spelling, capitalization, or
punctuation. Errors interfere
with understanding.

Provided less than 3 questions
that may or may not have been
lacking
There was little to no discussion
due to no facilitation or
involvement or the facilitator
was too
biased
All materials were late or
missing
Showed an obvious lack of
knowledge with the material,
causing confusion to the class
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