Assessing Writing
STUDENT NAME:
STAFF GROUP: ADL
DATE:
COURSE TITLE: C200 Strategic Context to Operational Art
ASSIGNMENT: C299 Strategic Point Paper
INSTRUCTOR:
DEPARTMENT: CGSS-DDE-CC
Requirement: Effective writing at CGSC is understood in a single rapid reading and is generally free of errors.
Standard: Writing demonstrates proficiency in—
1. Substance,
2. Style,
3. Organization and
4. Correctness.
Overall Assessment:
97+: A+
96.99-94: A
93.99-90: A-
89.99-87: B+
86.99-80: B
79.99-78: C+
77.99-70:C
<70: U
Total:
Instructor Comments
Substance: __ of 75 points.
Style: __ of 10 points.
Organization: __ of 05 points
Correctness: __ of 10 points
Comments:
Cognitive Level Attained
(Higher levels include
characteristics of lower levels)
Elements of Thought
Universal Intellectual
Standards
EVALUATION (Judging or
weighing by building and using
criteria and standards)
-Clarity
SYNTHESIS (Integrating parts into
-Accuracy
ANALYSIS (Breaking material
-Precision
a new whole)
down into component parts to
determine structures and
relationships)
APPLICATION (Use of knowledge
to solve problems)
COMPREHENSION
(Understanding of the material)
KNOWLEDGE (Recall of specific
information)
-Relevance
-Depth
-Breadth
-Logic
-Significance
-Fairness
CGSC Form 1009W, April 2017. (Modified by DDE for use with the C299 Paper 2019)
© USACGSC
Instructions: This rubric integrates the Elements of Thought and Universal Intellectual Standards, IAW Paul and Elder, with the four standards of effective
writing: Substance, Style, Organization, and Correctness. Substance is includes Content and Analysis/Problem-Solving/Conclusions. The C299 Strategic
Point Paper is an individual requirement. You will summarize the Strategic Estimate of the Baltic Region and provide a recommendation on one of three
options concerning the combatant command’s strategy for the region regarding Kaliningrad. Your grade will be based on your ability to write clearly and
concisely, as well as your ability to analyze the problem and the options using the validity criteria of feasible, acceptable, suitable, and complete..
Student Assessment
Exceptional
Satisfactory
Faculty Assessment
Unsatisfactory
Substance (Content and Analysis) (75 points)
Points
75-66 Points: Paper succinctly
includes significant and relevant
points for the EUCOM CDR on all
elements of the Strategic
Estimate: Introduction, Strategic
Direction, Strategic Environment,
Major Strategic and Operational
Challenges, Potential
Opportunities, Assessment of
Risks. Options are evaluated with
the validity criteria. Thesis is clear
and concise. Paper accurately
reflects the estimate; level of detail
is suited to the needs of the
assigned requirement and reader.
Insightful analysis; conclusions
superbly supported by evidence
clearly explained. Attains highest
cognitive level that is appropriate
to the assignment.
65-56 points: Paper succinctly
includes key points of all elements
of the Strategic Estimate:
Introduction, Strategic Direction,
Strategic Environment, Major
Strategic and Operational
Challenges, Potential Opportunities,
Assessment of Risks. Options are
evaluated with the validity criteria.
Information, ideas and analysis may
show minor deviation from the
estimate. Thesis is not clear. Small
omissions or inadequacies in
content, but adequately covers the
written requirement and needs of
the reader. Conclusions adequately
supported by evidence clearly
explained. Attains an adequate
cognitive level appropriate to the
assignment.
10-9 points: Words are precise;
language is concise and without
wordiness; writer’s tone is
appropriate to the audience and
purpose (EUCOM CDR);
sentences track clearly even to
the rapid reader; transitions lead
smoothly from one idea to the
next. Active voice predominates.
Sources are cited in accordance
with ST22-2.
8-6 points: Some language is
imprecise but generally
understandable. Style is adequate
but lacks polish and directness.
Sources are cited in accordance
with ST22-2
55-46 points: One element of the
Strategic Estimate - Introduction,
Strategic Direction, Strategic
Environment, Major Strategic and
Operational Challenges, Potential
Opportunities, Assessment of
Risks is omitted from the paper.
Options are not evaluated with the
validity criteria. Information, ideas
and analysis may show repetitive
deviations from the content of the
Strategic Estimate. Thesis.is
inadequate. Information (facts,
assumptions, concepts/theories)
are not accurate. Superficial
analysis, conclusions not clearly
supported by evidence. Remains at
a low cognitive level.
Points
<46 points: More than one
element of the Strategic Estimate Introduction, Strategic Direction,
Strategic Environment, Major
Strategic and Operational
Challenges, Potential
Opportunities, Assessment of
Risks are omitted from the paper.
Options are not evaluated with the
validity criteria. Information, ideas
and analysis deviate significantly
from the estimate. Majority of
content is merely cut and pasted
from the estimate. No thesis.
Analysis is lacking; little or no
relation between conclusions and
evidence. Remains at a low
cognitive level.
Style (10 points)
Points
5-3 points: The language is
awkward, hard to read. The reader
must backtrack to understand the
writer’s meaning, or the reader
cannot understand the meaning.
Language is extremely wordy;
primarily in passive voice; and/or
inappropriate in tone. Citation of
sources are incomplete or
inaccurate with regards to ST22-2.
Points
< 3 points: The language is
awkward and the reader cannot
understand the meaning.
Language is extremely wordy;
primarily in passive voice; and/or
inappropriate in tone. Citation of
sources are missing or inaccurate
with regards to ST22-2.
Organization (5 points)
Points
5 points: Paper adheres to the
prescribed format, to include page
limits, indentation, numbering and
lettering of paragraphs and subparagraphs.
4 points: Few (<3) deviations from
the prescribed format. Page limits
are met.
10-9 points: Few if any
departures from the published
standard (grammar, punctuation
and usage).
8-6 points: A few departures from
the published standard (grammar,
punctuation and usage), but not
enough to confuse or distract the
reader.
3 points: Several (3-6) deviations
from the prescribed format. Page
limits slightly exceeded.
Points
<3 points: Numerous and
significant deviations from the
prescribed format. Some or all
required elements are not present.
Page limits are not met.
Correctness (10 points)
Points
5-3 points: Departures from the
published standard (grammar,
punctuation and usage)
significantly confuse or distract the
reader.
Points
< 3 points: Departures from
Edited Standard English grammar,
punctuation, and usage cause
irritation to the reader or the reader
to lose confidence in the writer.
Total Points
CGSC Form 1009W, April 2017. (Supersedes CGSC Form 1009W dated May 2016)
© USACGSC