Focus

Focus

Support

Subject or position is directly stated

Writing stays on topic throughout paper
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper develops the subject
Conclusion effectively ends paper and
ties it together

Support

Subject or position is directly stated

Writing stays on topic throughout paper
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper develops the subject
Conclusion attempts to tie main ideas
together

Subject or position is implied

Writing stays on topic throughout paper
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper is not fully developed
Conclusion attempts to tie main ideas
together

Support

Organization

Each paragraph contains only one main

idea

Each paragraph has a topic sentence

Writing flows easily from one idea to

the next

Sentence structure and word choice is

varied

Sentences and paragraphs are coherent

(make sense)

Sentences and paragraphs are cohesive

(fit together)

Each paragraph has a concluding

sentence

Student uses at least 5 transitions to help

essay flow

Introductory paragraph begins with an

attention grabber
Integration

Paper is fully developed, appropriate to

grade level

Focus is clear and developed

Paper is balanced, with paragraphs

approximately the same length

Sentences and paragraphs fit together

smoothly

Organization

Each paragraph contains only one main

idea

Each paragraph has a topic sentence

Transitions have been used between

paragraphs

Sentence structure and word choice is

varied

Sentences and paragraphs are coherent

(make sense)

Sentences and paragraphs are

inconsistent (may not fit together)

Each paragraph has a concluding

sentence

Student uses 3-4 transitions to help

essay flow

Attention grabber is mediocre in

introductory paragraph
Integration

Paper is fully developed, appropriate to

grade level

Focus is clear but not developed

Paper is balanced, with paragraphs

approximately the same length

Sentences and paragraphs fit together

smoothly

Conventions

All rules and conventions of standard

English are followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)

Errors do not interfere with the readers

understanding of the writing

Conventions

Most rules of standard English are

followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)

Errors do not interfere with the readers

understanding of the writing

Conventions

Rules of standard English have

attempted to be followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)

Errors may interfere with the readers

understanding of the writing

4
EXCEEDS STANDARD

Major points are developed in detail

Details and support are developed
Appropriate vocabulary is used
throughout
Paragraphs have an inconsistent number
of details

Focus

Some points are developed, but not in

detail

Details and support are developed

Appropriate vocabulary is used

throughout

Paragraphs have an inconsistent number

of details
Organization

Each paragraph contains only one main

idea

Each paragraph has a topic sentence

Transitions have been used between

paragraphs

Sentence structure and word choice is

repetitive and lacks creativity.

Sentences and paragraphs are coherent

(make sense)

Sentences and paragraphs are

inconsistent (may not fit together)

Each paragraph has a concluding

sentence

Student uses 1-2 transitions to help

essay flow

Attention grabber is not used effectively

in introductory paragraph
Integration

Paper is fully developed, appropriate to

grade level

Focus is not clear

Paper is unbalanced, with paragraphs of

uneven length and importance

Sentences and paragraphs are not

connected to a single theme or idea

Major points are developed in detail

Details and support are developed
Appropriate vocabulary is used
throughout
Paragraphs have approximately the
same number of details

Focus

3
MEETS STANDARD

2
BELOW STANDARD

Support

Subject is unclear
Writing is not on topic
Opening captures the readers attention
Body of the paper is not fully developed
No conclusion evident

Few examples used to support ideas

Details are not developed
vocabulary is used incorrectly
Paragraphs have an inconsistent number
of details

Organization

Each paragraph several different ideas

Topic sentences are unclear or missing

Transitions have not been used between

paragraphs

Sentence structure and word choice is

repetitive and lacks creativity.

Sentences and paragraphs are not clear

Sentences and paragraphs are

inconsistent (may not fit together)

Paragraphs do not contain complete

thoughts or ideas

Student does not use transitions

appropriately to help essay flow

No attention grabber is used in the

introductory paragraph
Integration

Paper is not developed

Focus is not clear

Paper is unbalanced, with paragraphs of

uneven length and importance

Sentences and paragraphs are not

connected to a single theme or idea
Conventions

Rules of standard English have not been

followed
(paragraph structure, sentence structure,
spelling, punctuation, capitalization)

Errors interfere with the readers

understanding of the writing

1
UNSATISFACTORY