CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Focus on Topic There is one clear, well- Main idea is clear but the Main idea is somewhat clear The main idea is not clear.
(Content) focused topic. Main idea supporting information is but there is a need for more There is a seemingly
stands out and is supported general. supporting information. random collection of
by detailed information. information.

Adding Personality The writer seems to be
(Voice) writing from knowledge or
experience. The author has
taken the ideas and made
them \"his own.\"
The writer seems to be
drawing on knowledge or
experience, but there is
some lack of ownership of
the topic.
The writer relates some of
his own knowledge or
experience, but it adds
nothing to the discussion of
the topic.
The writer has not tried to
transform the information in
a personal way. The ideas
and the way they are
expressed seem to belong
to someone else.

Accuracy of Facts All supportive facts are Almost all supportive facts Most supportive facts are NO facts are reported OR
(Content) reported accurately. are reported accurately. reported accurately. most are inaccurately
reported.

Conclusion The conclusion is strong and The conclusion is The conclusion is There is no clear conclusion,
(Organization) leaves the reader with a recognizable and ties up recognizable, but does not the paper just ends.
feeling that they understand almost all the loose ends. tie up several loose ends.
what the writer is \"getting
at.\"

Grammar & Spelling Writer makes no errors in Writer makes 1-2 errors in Writer makes 3-4 errors in Writer makes more than 4
(Conventions) grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that errors in grammar or spelling
distract the reader from the distract the reader from the distract the reader from the that distract the reader from
content. content. content. the content.