Content

Organization

Cohesiveness

Conventions

Voice

Word Choice

Sentence Fluency

Format

5

Clear and focused.  Thorough & accurate support/details.

Organization makes the paper easy to read.  Paragraphs, including the intro and conclusion, are used effectively and transition smoothly.

Grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, usage, etc. (conventions) are virtually error-free.

An awareness and respect for the audience and the purpose of writing are evident.  Establishes a strong connection with audience through natural language, apropos to the purpose

Words are precise and effective.  Phrasing and language are natural and appropriate for the audience.  Lively and striking.

Purposeful and varied sentence structure creates an easy flow and rhythm.   A detectable cadence; writer has considered the sound of words as well as the meaning.

Follows CHS standards

4

Focus and clarity are apparent, but inconsistent.  Support/details evident, but not thorough.

Organization is clear, effective, but transition is inconsistent.

Conventions reveal minor errors.

Discernable purpose and awareness of audience, yet less compelling, less credible than a 5.

Wording is effective and achieves communication. Attempts at vivid language.

Sentence structure is varied and effective.  Communication is clear, although sentences may not always transition smoothly.

Follows most CHS standards

3

Focus is understood, but broad or unclear.  Support/details evident, but superficial or inconsistent.

Structure is present, but lacks control of transitional devices.

Conventions reveal errors that are, at times, distracting.

Attempts to connect with audience, but writing is impersonal.  Not compelling.  Apparently little regard for audience and purpose.

Language is functional, yet lacks energy. Attempts at vivid language may be awkward or inappropriate for the purpose and audience.

Sentences are generally constructed correctly, but are more mechanical than fluid. Some variety may be attempted, but not always effectively.

Follows some CHS standards

2

Focus is difficult to discern.  Support/details attempted, but undeveloped or inaccurate. 

Organization is confusing.  Intro or conclusion is missing. Minimal transition.

Errors in conventions are significant and consistently distracting.

No clear purpose. The chosen style does not match the content and/or does not fit the audience.

Words are vague and distracting.  Audience has not been considered.

Sentences may be:  choppy, incomplete, rambling, monotonous, or awkward.

Follows few CHS standards

1

No focus.  No support.

No recognizable organization or structure.

Errors in convention are significant enough to make the text difficult to read.

Lifeless, mechanical.  No discernable point of view or sense of purpose.

Limited vocabulary, awkward language.  Jargon /clichés that distract.  Audience has been abandoned.

Sentence structure actually obscures meaning.

Follows no standards