Social Sciences Department Writing Rubric Effective
Communication
Excellent
(4)
Good
(3)
Fair
(2)
Poor
(1)
Effective Communication
Clarity
Explains points explicitly with
specific explanatory detail;
points relate to overall
argument
Most points are elaborated
upon with specific explanatory
detail; and most points relate to
overall argument.
Points need further
elaboration, many points do
not relate to overall argument,
and meaning is often unclear
Points are vague, with no
relation to overall argument,
and meaning is unclear
Effective Communication
Content
Writes clearly, showing
mastery of terminology
appropriate to the subject or
discipline
Writes clearly, frequently using
terminology appropriate to the
subject or discipline
Demonstrates minimal
knowledge of terminology
appropriate to subject or
discipline; writing may be
unclear
Does not use terminology
appropriate to the subject or
discipline; overall, writing is
unclear
Presents information in an
appropriate, logical order
Organizes information in a
mostly logical pattern
Makes some attempt to order
information
Paragraphs, groups, or
subdivides information
effectively
Paragraphs, groups, or
subdivides information in a
reasonable pattern
Needs more effective
paragraphing, grouping or
subdividing of information
Presents information with no
subdivisions
Contains no or few errors in
usage, sentence structure,
punctuation, spelling or typos
Contains occasional minor
errors that do not interfere with
clarity
Exhibits frequent errors that
detract from overall
effectiveness of the writing
Presents information with no
subdivisions
Effective Communication
Organization
Effective communication
Mechanics
Lacks understandable pattern
of organization