Evaluating a College Writing Sample RUBRIC
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CRITERIA / SCALE
Exceeds Expectations
Structure • Paper is logically
• Organization organized
• Flow of thought • Easily followed
• Transitions • Effective, smooth, and
• Format logical transitions
• Professional format
Grammar/mechanics • Manipulates complex
• sentence structure sentences for effect/impact •
• punctuation/mechanics • No punctuation or
mechanical errors
Language • Vocabulary is
• Vocabulary; use of sophisticated and correct
vocabulary as are sentences which
• Tone vary in structure and
length
• Uses and manipulates
subject specific
vocabulary for effect
• Writer’s tone is clear,
consistent and appropriate
for intended audience
Content/information • Central idea is well
• Clarity of purpose developed and clarity of
• Critical and original purpose is exhibited
thought throughout the paper
• Use of examples • Abundance of evidence of
critical, careful thought
and analysis and/or insight
• Evidence and examples
are vivid and specific,
while focus remains tight
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Meets Expectations
• Paper has a clear
organizational structure
with some digressions,
ambiguities or
irrelevances
• Easily followed
• Basic transitions
• Structured format
• Uses complex sentences
Few punctuation or
mechanical errors
• Vocabulary is varied,
specific and appropriate
• Frequently uses subject
specific vocabulary
correctly
• Writer’s tone emerges and
is generally appropriate to
audience
• Central idea and clarity of
purpose are generally
evident throughout the
essay
• Evidence of critical,
careful thought and
analysis and/or insight
• There are good, relevant
supporting examples and
evidence
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Needs Improvement Inadequate
• There is some level of • There is no apparent
organization though organization to the paper.
digressions, ambiguities, • Difficult to follow
irrelevances are too many
• No or poor transitions
• Difficult to follow
• No format
• Ineffective transitions
• Rambling format
• Uses compound sentences • Uses simple sentences
• Too many punctuation
and/or mechanical errors
• Vocabulary is used • Vocabulary is
properly though sentences unsophisticated, not used
may be simple properly in very simple
• Infrequently uses subject sentences.
specific vocabulary • Uses subject specific
correctly vocabulary too sparingly
• Writer’s tone exhibits
some level of audience
sensitivity
• The central idea is • Central idea and clarity of
expressed though it may purpose are absent or
be vague or too broad; incompletely expressed
Some sense of purpose is and maintained
maintained throughout the • Little or no evidence of
essay critical, careful thought or
• Some evidence of critical, analysis and/or insight
careful thought and • There are too few, no
analysis and/or insight examples and evidence or
• There are some examples they are mostly irrelevant
and evidence, though
general