Written Communication Rubrics
Rubric: Written Communication 1 – Topics and Controlling Ideas
Competencies:
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Identify and develop clear topics and controlling ideas
Generate and select logical and sufficient support
Arrange ideas appropriately
Criterion: Select a topic that is clear, manageable, flows logically, and has sufficient supporting
examples.
Primary Traits:
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A passing submission must:
Have a strong introduction
Have a clear and consistent topic
Have a topic whose scope is manageable for the length of the assignment
Assign one major point to each paragraph
Have sufficient examples, illustrations and evidence to adequately support the topic
Flow smoothly and logically
Have an effective conclusion
Additional Information:
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You are not assessing the following:
Spelling and grammar
Shaping of the message
Citations and sources
Provost Office
Revised 2015
1
Written Communication Rubrics
Rubric: Written Communication 2 – Structure of the Message
Competency:
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Shape messages to appeal to appropriate audiences and situations
Criterion: Prepare written material whose message is shaped to appeal to appropriate audiences and
situations.
Primary Traits:
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Be presented in a manner that is appropriate for the intended audience, including level of
education and field of expertise
Appear free of slang, unexplained technical jargon and acronyms
Utilize language choices that fit the intended audience and situation
Demonstrate appropriate topic selection for an audience and situation
Maintain the same intended audience or situation throughout the written work
Additional Information:
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A passing submission must:
You are not assessing the following:
Spelling, grammar and structure
Logic or quality of the message
Citations and sources
Also: Using a large number of acronyms and then providing their meaning does not, of itself, solve the
jargon problem. The material must read clear enough for the uninitiated to understand the essence of
the communication.
Provost Office
Revised 2015
2
Written Communication Rubrics
Rubric: Written Communication 3 – Structures of Composition
Competency:
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Compose works using the correct structures of composition
Criterion: Prepare written material that applies the correct structures of composition.
Primary Traits:
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Demonstrate coherent and appropriate utilization of paragraphing
Utilize intelligible sentence structure
Contain precise and varied word choice
Exhibit correct spelling, grammar and writing mechanics
Additional Information:
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A passing submission must:
You are not assessing the following:
Content, logic or suitability of the written work
Citations and sources
Provost Office
Revised 2015
3
Written Communication Rubrics
Rubric: Written Communication 4 – Critical Response
Competency:
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Read and respond critically to another writer’s material
Criterion: Appropriately and effectively incorporate another writer’s material.
Primary Traits:
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Mention or cite a source
Relate the source to the context of the paragraph where it is mentioned
Introduce the source appropriately
Make a statement or judgment about the source material
Summarize the source to support the subject of the paper
Additional Information:
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A passing submission must:
You are not assessing the following:
Source citations
Amount or variety of source material
Type or quality of source
Origin of source
Subject matter
Provost Office
Revised 2015
4