CATEGORY Very Good (5) Good (4) Satisfactory (3) Poor (1)

Ideas and The introduction The introduction The ideas and There is no clear
Organization is inviting and states the main organization are introduction,
states the main topic. A somewhat clear. body of the
topic. The ideas conclusion is paragraph, or
are relevant and included. conclusion.
presented in a
logical order.
The conclusion is
strong.
Focus and There is one There is one There is one The topic and
Details clear, well- clear, well- topic. Main ideas main ideas are
focused topic. focused topic. are somewhat not clear.
Main ideas are Main ideas are clear.
clear and are clear but are not
well supported well supported
by the detailed by detailed
and accurate information.
information.
Word Choice The essay has The essay has The essay has The essay has
vivid words and vivid words and words that limited
phrases. The phrases. The communicate vocabulary.
choice and choice and clearly, but the
placement of placement of writing lacks
words seem words is variety.
accurate, natural, inaccurate at
and not forced. times and seems
overdone.
Sentence All sentences are Most sentences Most sentences Sentences sound
Structure, well constructed are well are well awkward, are
Grammar, and have varied constructed and constructed, but distractingly
Mechanics, and structure and have varied they have similar repetitive, and
Spelling length. The essay structure and structure and are difficult to
has no errors in length. The essay length. The essay understand. The
grammar, has few errors in has several errors essay has
mechanics, and grammar, in grammar, numerous errors
spelling. mechanics, and mechanics, and in grammar,
spelling, but they spelling that mechanics, and
do not interfere interfere with spelling that
with understanding. interfere with
understanding. understanding,
Penmanship The penmanship The penmanship The penmanship The penmanship
is very pleasing is pleasing to the is not that is not that
to the eye and the eye and the pleasing to the pleasing to the
handwriting is handwriting is eye but they do eye and they
very easy to easy to not interfere with interfere with
understand. understand. understanding. understanding.