General Writing Assignment Rubric
(Excellent) 19 -20 pts. (Good) 16 –18 pts. (Fair) 14 -15 pts. (Poor) 0 - 14 pts.
Writing is coherent Writing is coherent
Writing shows high
and logically and logically
degree of attention to
organized with organized. Some Writing lacks logical
logic and reasoning of
Organization transitions used points remain organization. It shows
points. Unity clearly
between ideas and misplaced and stray some coherence but
(30%) leads the reader to
paragraphs to create from the topic. ideas lack unity.
the conclusion and
coherence. Overall Transitions evident Serious errors.
stirs thought
unity of ideas is but not used
regarding the topic.
present. throughout essay.
Content indicates
Content indicates Content indicates Shows some thinking
synthesis of ideas, in-
Content original thinking and thinking and and reasoning but
depth analysis and
develops ideas with reasoning applied most ideas are
(30%) evidences original
sufficient and firm with original thought underdeveloped and
thought and support
evidence. on a few ideas. unoriginal.
for the topic.
Main points well Main points well Main points are Main points lack
developed with high developed with present with limited detailed
Development quality and quantity quality supporting detail and development. Ideas
(25%) support. Reveals high details and quantity. development. Some are vague with little
degree of critical Critical thinking is critical thinking is evidence of critical
thinking. weaved into points. present. thinking.
Spelling, punctuation,
Essay is free of Essay has few Most spelling, and grammatical
Grammar & distracting spelling, spelling, punctuation, punctuation, and errors create
Mechanics punctuation, and and grammatical grammar correct distraction, making
grammatical errors; errors allowing reader allowing reader to reading difficult;
(10%) absent of fragments, to follow ideas progress though fragments, comma
comma splices, and clearly. Very few essay. Some errors splices, run-ons
run-ons. fragments or run-ons. remain. evident. Errors are
frequent.
Shows outstanding Attains college level
style going beyond style; tone is Mostly in elementary
Approaches college
usual college level; appropriate and form with little or no
Style level usage of some
rhetorical devices and rhetorical devices variety in sentence
variety in sentence
(10%) tone used effectively; used to enhance structure, diction,
patterns, diction, and
creative use of content; sentence rhetorical devices or
rhetorical devices.
sentence structure variety used emphasis.
and coordination effectively.
Meets all formal and Meets format and
Meets format and Fails to follow format
assignment assignment
assignment and assignment
requirements and requirements;
requirements; requirements;
evidences attention generally correct
margins, spacing, and incorrect margins,
to detail; all margins, margins, spacing, and
Format indentations are
indentations; essay is
spacing and
spacing and
correct; essay is neat indentation; neatness
(5%) indentations are
and correctly
neat but may have
of essay needs
correct; essay is neat some assembly
assembled. attention.
and correctly errors.
assembled with
professional look.
