Science Lab Summary Writing Rubric

As in learning any writing skill, writing a good summary takes practice. To create a successful summary, all
stages of the writing process must be used (planning, composing, revising, editing, publication.)

Key Elements of a well-written lab summary:

● States the purpose of the experiment or lab
● Hypothesis is clearly stated as “if…then” statement
● Includes details about the process in logical order
● Results include actual data from the lab
● Analysis of results includes whether hypothesis was supported
● Experimental errors and further questions are discussed
● EXTENSIONS FOR EXPERTS: Supporting information from other texts (properly cited), future
research or projects proposed, real-world applications described, social or ethical issues discussed

4 Excellent 3 Good 2 Below Average 1 Ineffective

Purpose of the lab Purpose of the lab is Purpose is unclear--not Purpose is not stated.
PURPOSE

is clearly stated stated but is incorrect directly stated in the

writing.

Hypothesis stated Hypothesis stated but Hypothesis is unclear No hypothesis

HYPOTHESIS

as “if…then” not as “if…then”

All details about Most details are in Details are in random Details are missing
DETAILS

the process are in logical order order and not logical

logical order

Actual data from Cause and effect are Data is not used in Demonstrates little or
DATA

lab are included implied but data is not results no understanding of

in results used directly data

Analysis of Analysis of results Hypothesis is not Analysis shows little

ANALYSIS

results includes includes whether or referred to in analysis understanding of

explanation of not hypothesis is science concepts
whether or not supported but without
hypothesis is explanation
supported