A4: Long Article Rubric
Criteria
Explanation 25.0 to 22.5 pts A
of the Respects the intelligence of
Science to the audience while still
Non-Expert making the science
Audience accessible;
Focus of 10.0 to 9 pts A
Article Focus on new/interesting
research (throughout the
article ) of interest to a non-
expert audience
Use of 25.0 to 22.5 pts A
Narrative Expertly crafted for the
reader; engages and is clearly
connected with the science;
introduces the sciences to the
reader and keeps them
connected throughout
Rhetorical 10.0 to 9 pts A
Situation Expertly sculpted for the
rhetorical situation; writer’s
instills confidence in the
reader; expertly describe the
conversation scientists are
having about the science
Understands 10.0 to 9 pts A
Conventions Conventions of publication
of Chosen and expectations of audience
Publication are evident and clearly
addressed; visuals used
match publication
expectations
Organization 5 to 4.5 pts A
and Organization is logical;
Formatting transitions create fluidity;
follows the organization
expected by this publication
Syntax, 5 to 4.5 pts A
Ratings
22.4 to 20 pts B
Scientific terms are
occasionally over-simplified;
jargon is used intermittently
(science is “dense” in spots)
8.9 to 8 pts B
Focus on new research
appears throughout the
article though with some
minor deviations
22.4 to 20 pts B
Well-crafted for the reader;
mostly connects with the
science; may at times seem
disconnected from the
research
8.9 to 8 pts B
Rhetorical situation is clear
overall, with minor lapses
8.9 to 8 pts B
Conventions of publication
and expectations of audience
are mostly met and
addressed; visuals used
mostly match publication
expectations
4.4 to 4.0 pts B
Organization is strong, but
there may be ideas more
effectively placed; transitions
aren’t very effective
4.4 to 4.0 pts B
19.9 to 17.5 pts C
Lacks key details in explanation
of research; heavy in jargon or
over-simplified throughout;
sounds like a research paper or
textbook
7.9 to 7 pts C
Focus on new research appears
isn't clearly maintained
throughout the article
19.9 to 17.5 pts C
Narrative is included but often
seems disconnected from the
science; could be more
engaging
7.9 to 7 pts C
Rhetorical situation is not clear;
writer does not always assist
reader’s understanding
7.9 to 7 pts C
Writer ignores some
conventions of the publication
or expectations of audience;
visuals do not match
publication expectations
3.9 to 3.5 pts C
Organization may force the
reader to reread parts in order
to understand; transitions are
lacking; fluidity is missing
3.9 to 3.5 pts C
Pts
17.4 to 0 pts D-F
Little or no attempt made
to help the reader
25
understand the science
6.9 to 0 pts D-F r
Little or no focus on
research – topic is not clear 10
17.4 to 0 pts D-F
Narrative is not included
or not easy to distinguish
from the science; little or 25
no attempt to engage the
reader
6.9 to 0 pts D-F
Rhetorical situation not
taken into consideration or
easily identified; little or 10
no attempt made to help
the reader understand
6.9 to 0 pts D-F
Expectations of publication
and audience not taken
into consideration; visuals 10
not used or not clear
3.5 to 0 pts D-F
Organization is unclear
5
and ineffective
3.5 to 0 pts D-F 5
A4: Long Article Rubric

Tone, & Syntax is direct, concise, and Syntax occasionally lapses in Word choice is less vivid; Sentences are awkward,
Word Choice clear; word choice is precise clarity or directness; overuse of clichés, inflated word choice is off, syntax is
and enhances understanding occasional repetition; Choice syntax, and “big words” detract repeatedly overloaded,
Tone meets the genre of words is still on target, but from the quality of the writing; convoluted, winding, or
expectations there is an occasional minor. repetition slows content down generally unclear.
Grammar & 5 to 4.5 pts A 4.4 to 4.0 pts B 3.9 to 3.5 pts C 3.5 to 0 pts D-F
Mechanics Mechanical errors are rare; Punctuation may cause some Frequent grammar and spelling Mechanical errors abound
Follows conventions and minor confusion, but overall, errors; Document lacks 5
expectations of an upper-level mechanical errors do not evidence of proofreading or
academic paper distract the reader final polish
Citation 5 – 4.5 pts A 4.4 – 4.0 pts B 3.9 – 3.5 pts C 3.5 to 0 pts D-F
Formatting Citation formatting meets Citation formatting mostly Citation formatting does not meet No attempt at citing sources
5
expectations (hyperlinks to meets expectations, but there expectations and/or it’s not clear has been made
sources OR APA/MLA format) may be minor lapses where information came from
Total 100