GED (for ESL): Writing Rubric: Business Letters
Exceptional
Competent
Purpose
Unity
Coherence
Details
Grammar/Vocabulary
Format
Developing
Beginning
(4) Thesis statement has
specific main & controlling
ideas. Concluding statement
is similar to thesis statement.
Topic sentences (of body
paragraphs) have specific
main & controlling ideas.
(3) Thesis statement has
main & controlling ideas.
Concluding statement is
similar to thesis statement.
Topic sentences (of body
paragraphs) have main &
controlling ideas.
(2) Thesis statement may be
missing controlling idea/main
idea may be too general.
Concluding statement may be
missing or incomplete. Topic
sentences (of body paragraphs)
may be missing controlling ideas.
(1) Thesis &/or concluding
statements are missing. Topic
sentences are missing.
(4) All support paragraphs
exactly focus on the thesis
statement. All support
sentences in body paragraphs
focus on the topic sentence.
(3) All support paragraphs
focus on the thesis
statement. All support
sentences in body
paragraphs focus on the
topic sentence.
(2) Support paragraphs may not
focus on the thesis statement.
Some support sentences in body
paragraphs do not focus on the
topic sentence.
(1) Support paragraphs do not
match thesis statement &/or
support sentences in body
paragraphs do not focus on the
topic sentence.
(4) A variety of connectors
are used appropriately
(between paragraphs &
within paragraphs).
(3) Connectors are used
appropriately (between
paragraphs & within
paragraphs).
(2) Some connectors are used, but
more are needed (between
paragraphs &/or within
paragraphs).
(1) Connectors are missing.
(4) A variety of details are
given: explanation,
examples, etc. There are 3 or
more body paragraphs (6 or
more sentences each).
(3) Enough details are given.
There are 2 body paragraphs
(4 or more sentences each).
(2) More details are needed.
There are 2 body paragraphs, but
they are short (under 4
sentences).
(1) Not enough details are
given—paragraph is too short.
There is only 1 body paragraph
& it may be short (under 4
sentences).
(4) Grammar (verb tense,
subject/verb agreement,
articles, word order, etc.),
complex sentences &
vocabulary are used
appropriately & correctly
(3) Grammar (verb tense,
subject/verb agreement,
articles, word order, etc.),
complex sentences &
vocabulary are generally
used appropriately &
correctly.
(2) Grammar (verb tense,
subject/verb agreement, articles,
word order, etc.), complex
sentences & vocabulary are
awkward, but overall meaning is
understood.
(1) Use of grammar &
vocabulary is awkward;
overall meaning can not be
understood.
(2) Nothing is indented. One space is skipped between
paragraphs. Everything is aligned along the left margin.
Typed papers: single-spaced paragraphs, 1-inch margins
are used.
Handwritten: red-line margins are used; Writing begins
on the first line.
(0) All or some of the following occur: Paragraphs &/or
sentences are indented. There is no space between paragraphs.
Typed Papers: double-spaced, margins are bigger/smaller than 1
inch.
Handwritten papers: red-lined margins are not used; writing
begins on the back or bottom of the paper