English Assessment Writing Rubric

The writing shows an awareness of audience, even if it does not yet fully engage that audience. It also shows some awareness of distinct purpose.

The writing meets the requirements of the assignment, engages the audience, and demonstrates a basic familiarity with audience and purpose appropriate for the particular discipline and/or genre for which the student is writing.

The writing meets the requirements of the assignment, engages the audience, and demonstrates an average familiarity with audience and purpose appropriate for the particular discipline and/or genre for which the student is writing.

The main idea/thesis is either clear or can be determined without much difficulty, even if some inference is still required.

Sometimes provides supporting details suitable to audience and purpose.

Supporting details are suitable to purpose and audience; material drawn from external sources is synthesized and integrated into the text. Reasoning is sound and does not contain logical fallacies.

In addition, the writing exhibits a use of subject matter that that demonstrates a growing familiarity with the questions, values, and methods used by the particular discipline and/or genre in which the student is writing.

The writing is characterized by one or more of the following:

• Some attempts at order and structure are noted, even if the writing still contains problems,
• Paragraphing is evident, as are attempts at sequencing and transitions between ideas, and Introduction and conclusion are somewhat developed.

Effective and varied sentences; errors (if any) due to lack of careful proofreading; syntax errors (if any) reflect uses as colloquialisms.

Effective and varied sentences; some variety of sentence style and length.

Each sentence structured effectively and powerfully. Rich, well-chosen variety of sentence styles and length.

Contains many and serious errors of punctuation, spelling, and/or capitalization; errors interfere with meaning. Formatting weak.

Contains some errors of punctuation, spelling, and/or capitalization. Errors do not usually interfere with meaning. Formatting incorrect in a few places. 

Contains few punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors. Few formatting errors. 

Contains rare punctuation, spelling, and/or capitalization errors. No formatting errors.

Virtually free of punctuation, spelling, capitalization errors; appropriate format and presentation for assignment.

Extremely limited vocabulary; choices lack grasp of diction or use of concrete diction; usage is inaccurate or repetitious.

Errors of diction and usage, while evident, do not interfere with readability. Language choice calls attention to itself in minor ways (e.g., the purpose of this paper is...; I feel that...; etc.). Inappropriate or inconsistent use of person may be present (“I,” “you,” etc.).

Ordinary vocabulary range, mostly accurate; some inappropriate colloquial terms.

Good vocabulary range and accuracy of usage.

External sources are beginning to be used and discussed in the text, even if they are not yet a major part of the paper. If external sources are used, there is an attempt at citation.

Any material drawn from a source is documented and cited, although not always correctly.  Sources are mostly credible and relevant.

Any material drawn from a source is credible and relevant and is properly documented and cited.

Any material drawn from a source is properly cited and documented in a format that is appropriate for the particular discipline and/or genre in which the student is writing. Sources are discipline-appropriate.

All quoted material is properly cited and documented in a format that is appropriate for the particular discipline and/or genre in which the student is writing.  Sources are discipline-appropriate, sufficient, and reflect an understanding of the state of research in the field.