SCORE 6 An essay in this category demonstrates clear and consistent mastery, although it may have a few minor errors. 5 An essay in this category demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery, although it will have occasional errors or lapses in quality. CRITERIA Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. o Sequencing is logical and effective. o Contains an inviting introduction; a satisfying conclusion. o Flows smoothly with transitions. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone. o Paragraphing tends to be sound. o Grammar and usage are correct. o Punctuation is accurate. o Spelling is generally correct. Support claims with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources. o Explanation of topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, data, or details from activity. o Uses enough evidence to fully support the response. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. o Words are specific and accurate. o The use of scientific terminology enhances the response. Provide a concluding statement or section that supports the information. o Restate the purpose or main idea. o Summarize important findings. o Supports the information or explanation presented. The response reflects a complete synthesis of information. o Topic developed in a purposeful, thorough way. o All parts of prompt are completely addressed. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. o Sequencing is logical and effective. o Contains an inviting introduction; a satisfying conclusion. o Flows smoothly with transitions. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone. o Paragraphing tends to be sound. o Grammar and usage are generally correct. o Punctuation is generally accurate. o Spelling is generally correct. Support claims with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources. o Explanation of topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, data, or details from activity. o Uses enough evidence to support the response. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. 4 An essay in this category demonstrates adequate mastery, although it will have lapses in quality. 3 An essay in this category demonstrates developing mastery; it will have lapses in quality and is marked by weaknesses in one or more categories. o Words are specific and accurate. o The use of scientific terminology enhances the response. Provide a concluding statement or section that supports the information. o Restate the purpose or main idea. o Summarize important findings. The response reflects a complete synthesis of information. o Topic developed in a purposeful, thorough way. o All parts of prompt are completely addressed. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. o Sequencing is evident. o Contains an introduction and a conclusion. o Generally flows smoothly with transitions. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone. o Paragraphing tends to be sound. o Grammar and usage are generally correct. o Punctuation is generally accurate. o Spelling is generally correct. Support claims with relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources. o Explanation of topic with relevant facts, data, or details from activity. o Uses evidence to support the response. Use language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. o Words are accurate. o The use of scientific terminology enhances the response. Provide a concluding statement or section that supports the information. o Restate the purpose or main idea. o Summarize important findings. The response reflects a complete synthesis of information. o All parts of prompt are completely addressed. Produce writing in which the development, organization, and style are generally appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. o Limited in its organization and/or focus, or demonstrates problems with coherence or progression of ideas. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone. o Grammar and usage are somewhat correct. o Punctuation is somewhat accurate. o Spelling is somewhat correct. Support claims with data and evidence that may demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources. o Uses evidence to support the response that is somewhat limited. Use language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. 2 An essay in this category demonstrates little mastery; it will have lapses in quality and is marked by weaknesses in one or more categories. 1 An essay in this category demonstrates very little or no mastery. 0 o Words are somewhat accurate. Provide a concluding statement or section that supports the information. o May restate the purpose or main idea. o May summarize important findings. The response reflects a synthesis of information. o All parts of prompt may be addressed. Produce writing in which the development, organization, and style are generally appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. o Poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas. Style and tone may be appropriate. o Frequent problems in sentence structure, grammar and spelling. Develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, and demonstrates weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, data, reasons, or other evidence to support its position. Displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice. May provide a concluding statement or section that supports the information. Parts of prompt are addressed. Disorganized and/or unfocused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas. Severe problems in sentence structure, grammar and spelling. Develops no viable point of view on the issue, or provides little or no evidence to supports its position. Displays fundamental errors in vocabulary. Conclusion is not present. Parts of prompt may be addressed. The response is completely incorrect or irrelevant or there is no response. http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/psatextra/scoring_guide_popup.html http://mdk12.org/assessments/high_school/look_like/biology/rubric.html http://mdk12.org/share/frameworks/CCSC_Science_gr6-8w.pdf https://readingweb.madison.k12.wi.us/files/reading/six_traits_scoring_guide--OVH.pdf