| Criteria | 4 Points | 3 Points | 2 Points | 1 Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | The writer clearly conveyed and focused the topic and opinion. The opinion was well supported with reasons and text details. | The writer conveyed and focused the topic and opinion. The opinion was adequately supported with reasons and some text details. | The writer stated an opinion that lacked clear reasons and/or text details. Limited focus or included unnecessary information. | The writer’s topic and opinion were unfocused and insufficiently supported. |
| Organization | Organizational structure was clear. The writer included an introductory paragraph that introduced the topic, shared their opinion, and gained the reader’s attention. Related information was grouped in body paragraphs with a logical arrangement. A concluding paragraph summarized the opinion and reasons, leaving the reader with a final thought or call to action. | Organizational structure was clear with minor flaws. The writer included an introductory paragraph and grouped related information in body paragraphs. Some ideas were disconnected. A concluding paragraph summarized the opinion and reasons, and/or left the reader with a final thought or call to action. | Organizational structure was inconsistent with apparent flaws. The writer attempted to introduce the topic and grouped related information in body paragraphs. The reasons, examples, and details were disconnected. The writer attempted a concluding statement. | Organizational structure was weak or nonexistent. |
| Development | Support was relevant and thorough. The writer included strong reasons supported by relevant facts, details, and definitions. Quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing were used effectively. Reliable and credible sources were used and credited appropriately. | Support was adequate. The writer included reasons supported by some facts, details, and definitions. Some quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing were used adequately. Some reliable and credible sources were used and credited appropriately. | Support was uneven or incomplete. Limited reasons were supported by insufficient facts, details, and definitions. Attempts to use quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing did not connect well to the topic. Limited sources were used and/or not credited appropriately. | Support was weak or nonexistent. Reasons were confusing or missing, with no facts and details given. No quotes, paraphrasing, or summarizing were included. No reliable and credible sources were used. |
| Language and Vocabulary | The writer included a variety of precise language and domain-specific words related to the topic. A variety of transition/linking words and phrases connected ideas and information. | The writer included some precise language and domain-specific words related to the topic. Some transition/linking words and phrases connected ideas and information. | The writer included general language and/or limited transition/linking words and/or phrases related to the topic. | The writer did not include precise language or domain-specific language. No transition/linking words and/or phrases were included. |
| Conventions: Mechanics, Grammar, and Spelling | The writer’s command of conventions was strongly demonstrated. Few errors, if any, were present, and the writing was completely understandable. | The writer’s command of conventions was sufficiently demonstrated. A few errors were present, but the writing was understandable. | The writer’s command of conventions was uneven. Several errors were present, making the writing somewhat difficult to follow. | The writer had little command of conventions. Frequent errors made the writing difficult to follow. |