8th Grade English

Quarter 3 Research
Name:

Class Period:

Date:

Writing Prompt:
Write a research report that 1) shares information on a topic that has been researched carefully 2) presents the
research results in a clear, well-organized way and 3) includes a Works Cited page of 3 or more digital and print
sources. (Ref: Write Source, p362-410)

W.8.2f
Provide a concluding statement
or section that follows form and
supports the information or
explanation presented.

W.8.2b
Develop the topic with
relevant, well-chosen facts,
and sufficient facts, definitions,
concrete details, quotations. or
other information and
examples
W.8.2d
Use precise language and
domain-specific vocabulary to
inform or explain the topic.
L.8.6
Acquire grade appropriate
academic and domain specific
words and phrases

Organizat
(Intro)
ion

Distinguished
The introduction is
compelling, states
thesis, and provides
context and
background.
(10-9)

Organization(Body)

Proficient

Basic

Approaching

Score

The introduction states The introduction states The introduction does

thesis and provides
thesis but does not not clearly state thesis
context or background.
include context or
or include context or
background.
background.
(9-8)
(6-0)
(8-7)
/10

Information is
effectively organized.

Information is
effectively organized.

Transitions link ideas Transitions link ideas or

and clarify
clarify relationships.
relationships.

(10-9)

(9-8)

Some information is
effectively organized.

Information is not
effectively organized.

Transitions are
included but
unsuccessful.

Transitions are not

included.

(8-7)

(6-0)
/10

Organizatio(Conclusion
n
)

W.8.2a
Organize ideas and concepts
into broader categories; include
formatting, graphics, and
multimedia when useful to
aiding comprehension
W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent
writing in which development
and organization are
appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience
W.8.2c
Use appropriate and varied
transitions to create cohesion
and clarify the relationships
among ideas and concepts.

Ideas

W.8.2a
Introduce a topic,clearly
previewing what is to follow

Trait

Word Choice

Standard

The conclusion
is strong; restates
thesis, synthesizes
main ideas, and
creates closure.
(10-9)

The conclusion is clear

The conclusion is
The conclusion is
and concise; restates
recognizable and
missing or does not
thesis and some main
includes thesis but
include thesis or main
ideas.
leaves the reader with
ideas.
questions.
(9-8)
(8-7)
(6-0)

/10
Well-chosen facts,
Well-chosen facts,
details, examples, and details, and examples
quotes give the reader
give the reader
important information important information.
and insight.
(9-8)
(10-9)

Facts, details, and

information are
present but
inadequate.
(8-7)

Writer consistently
Writer occasionally
Writer rarely
uses precise language uses precise language uses precise language
and specific
and specific
and specific
vocabulary.
vocabulary.
vocabulary.

Facts, details, and

information are unclear
or missing.
(6-0)

/10

Writer uses limited

language and
vocabulary, including
slang and/or clichs.

(6-0)
(10-9)

(9-8)

(8-7)

/10

L.8.2
Demonstrate command of the
conventions of standard English
capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling when writing
L.8.2b
Use an ellipsis to indicate an
omission

Voice
StructureSentence

W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent
writing in which the
development,organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose,
and audience

Conventions

W.8.2e
Establish and maintain a formal
style of writing.

Writer consistently
Writer occasionally
Writer rarely uses
uses formal language uses formal language formal language and
and third person voice. and third person voice.
third person voice.
(10-9)
(9-8)
(8-7)

MLA Format and

Documentation

8th English 6/29/12

(6-0)

All sentences are

skillfully written with
varied structure.

Most sentences are

skillfully written with
varied structure.

Sentences are wellconstructed but lack

variety.

Sentences lack
structure or variety.

(10)

(9-8)

(8-7)

(6-0)

Writer makes few

errors in capitalization,
punctuation, spelling,
and grammar.

Writer makes
some errors in
capitalization,
punctuation,
and spelling.

/10

/10
Multiple errors in
Significant errors in
capitalization, spelling, capitalization, spelling,
and punctuation
and punctuation
distract the reader.
prevent
understanding.
Writer uses an ellipsis
Writer correctly uses
with errors.
Writer attempts to use
an ellipsis to indicate
an ellipsis.
an omission.
(12-10)
(14-12)
(9-0)

/15

Writer uses proper MLA Writer uses proper MLA Writer uses proper MLA Writer attempts to use
format with no errors.
format with some
format with multiple
proper MLA format.
errors.
errors.
Internal documentation
Internal documentation
is free of errors.
Internal documentation Internal documentation
is attempted or
has some errors.
has multiple errors.
missing.
Works Cited page is
free of errors.
Works Cited page has Works Cited page has
Works Cited page is
(15-14)
some errors.
multiple errors.
attempted or missing.
(14-12)
(12-10)
(9-0)

/15

Writer uses an ellipsis

multiple times.
(15-14)

W.8.8
Avoid plagiarism and follow a
standard format for citations

Writer does not use

formal language or
third person.

/100