Focus and Development
(Content)
(Do they answer the question and how well do they do it?)
Level 5Entire question is answered
Main points stand out
In-depth explanation
Supporting details are relevant and detailed
WOW
Level 4Entire question is answered.
Topic is completely explained, but lacks detail
Details support, but may not all be relevant
WELL DONE
Level 3MOST of the topic has been addressed
Includes details or explanations but may not all be relevant
Main points are clear, but don’t stand out.
AVERAGE
Level 2Topic is focused, but not developed or vice versa
SOME of the topic has been addressed
Details are uneven and lack depth
MAY BE OK, but not passing
Level 1
Little or no focus or development.
Few or no details to support.
Not enough written
NEEDS SERIOUS WORK
Organization
Level 5
Uses invisible transitions
Flawless introduction and conclusion.
Compelling thesis statement and topic sentences
WOW
Level 4
Uses good transitions
Great intro & conclusion.
All of the points outlined are addressed.
WELL DONE
Level 3
Typical ; intro, conclusion, body paragraphs.
Typical transitions (first, in conclusion, lastly)
AVERAGE
Level 2
Few or no transitions.
Intro or conclusion may be missing or sparse.
ELEMENTARY transitions (first, second, third)
Intro & Conclusion are too similar
NOT PASSING
Level 1
No real transitions
No real intro or conclusion
Intro & Conclusion are the same
NEEDS SERIOUS WORK
Fluency
(Style)
Level 5
Uses big kids sentences and vocabulary
The audience is clear.
Uses a combination of complex, compound, and simple sentences (fewer simple)
WOW
Level 4
Uses mostly big kid sentences and a few interesting vocabulary words
Audience is clear
Uses a combination of complex, compound and simple sentences (mostly compound)
WELL DONE
Level 3
Uses typical vocabulary.
Audience is mostly clear
Uses a combination of sentences, but relies heavily on SIMPLE sentences.
AVERAGE
Level 2
Language is elementary and wrong words are used in several places.
Audience is unclear
MOST of the sentences are simple
The writer repeats words or phrases a few times.
NOT PASSING
Level 1
Choice of words is awkward and/or the writer repeats words or phrases.
Sentences are ALL simple
Words and sentences are not clear and make little sense.
NEEDS SERIOUS WORK
Conventions
(Usage and Mechanics)
LEvel 5
Uses advanced punctuation correctly (Colon, semi-colon, hyphen)
One or two grammar errors
No editing is needed
WOW
Level 4
Uses advanced punctuation, but may not always be correct.
Has a few grammar errors, but they don’t interfere w/ the reading.
May need a little editing.
WELL DONE
Level 3
No advanced punctuation
A few grammar errors, but the main point is obvious.
Editing is definitely needed
AVERAGE
Level 2
Errors make the paper difficult to read
Meaning is unclear because of the errors.
No advanced punctuation
EDITING EXTREMELY NECESSARY.
NOT PASSING
Level 1
Errors make it impossible to read or understand
No advanced punctuation
Topic is unclear due to errors.
PAPER SHOULD BE RE-WRITTEN
NEEDS SERIOUS WORK
