| Criteria / Topics | Scoring Scale | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 | |
| Purpose, Focus, & Organization | My response is fully focused on the topic. I have a strong, clearly stated opinion. My response uses an organized structure. My response has the following: * a strongly maintained opinion and little/no loosely connected material * use of transitional words to connect my ideas * ideas flow from beginning to end * contains both an introduction and conclusion |
My response is generally focused on the topic. I have an opinion. My response uses an organized structure. My response has most of the following: * a maintained opinion and some loosely connected material may be used * adequate use of transitional words * adequate flow of ideas from beginning to end * contains a sufficient introduction and conclusion |
My response may be somewhat focused on the topic. I may have an opinion but it might not use an organized structure. My response may include the following: * a partially focused opinion but may be unclear * little variety or use of transitional words to connect my ideas * uneven flow from beginning to end * contains poor introduction/conclusion |
My response may be related to the topic but has little or no awareness of purpose. I have no clear opinion and my writing lacks an organized structure. My response may include the following: * absent, confusing and/or weak opinion * frequent use of extra ideas impedes understanding * few or no transitional words * uneven flow from beginning to end * too short |
| Evidence and Elaboration | My response provides convincing evidence that supports my opinion and effectively uses sources, facts, and details. My response has the following: * related facts are used smoothly and refer to the sources * use of definitions, examples, quotations * clear expression of ideas * uses academic and domain-specific vocabulary appropriately * uses varied sentence structure |
My response provides adequate evidence that supports my opinion and effectively uses sources, facts, and details. My response has the following: * related facts are generally used but may be inconsistent * adequate use of definitions, examples, quotations * adequate expression of ideas * uses some academic and domain-specific vocabulary appropriately * uses some variation in sentence structure |
My response provides uneven evidence for my opinion and includes an ineffective use of sources, facts, and details. My response has the following: * weakly related facts may be used and some non-related facts may be present * ineffective use of definitions, examples, quotations * simplistic/unclear expression of ideas * inappropriate use of academic and domain-specific vocabulary * sentences limited to simple construction |
My response provides minimal evidence for my main idea and includes little if any use of sources, facts, and details. My response has the following: * minimal, absent, or unrelated evidence from source material * unclear/confusing expression of ideas * limited or inappropriate use of academic or domain-specific vocabulary * sentences limited to simple construction |
| Conventions | My response demonstrates an adequate command of basic English conventions. My response has the following: * some minor errors in usage, but no patterns of errors * adequate use of punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation, and spelling |
My response demonstrates a partial command of basic English conventions. | ||