Categories of Performance:
Beginner (1)
Basic (2)
Intermediate (3)
Advanced (4)
Tone
The tone is inappropriate for the writing purpose.
The tone shifts from formal to informal and is not consistent.
The tone shifts occasionally from formal to informal, or vice versa.
The appropriate tone is used consistently.
Opening sentence
The sentence is incomplete and does not state the main idea.
The sentence is complete, but does not state the main idea.
The sentence is complete and adequately states the main idea.
The sentence is complete and clearly states the main idea.
Supporting sentences
Some sentences are incomplete or run-on and do not support the main idea.
Some sentences are incomplete or run-on, but support the main idea.
Most sentences are complete and support the main idea.
All sentences are complete and support the main idea.
Closing sentence
The sentence is incomplete and does not sum up the paragraph.
The sentence is complete, but does not sum up the paragraph.
The sentence is complete and adequately sums up the paragraph.
The sentence is complete and clearly sums up the paragraph.
Organization of ideas
Ideas in the paragraph are disorganized and do not support the main idea, causing a confusion of meaning.
A few ideas in the paragraph do not support the main idea or are out of place, causing a confusion of meaning.
Ideas in the paragraph support the main idea, but could be organized more clearly.
Ideas flow in the paragraph and clearly support the main idea, creating meaning.
Vocabulary or word use
Some inappropriate vocabulary is used and some words are used in the wrong context.
Some words are used in the wrong context.
All words are used appropriately.
All words are used appropriately and there is evidence of some new vocabulary being used.
Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation
There are many errors in spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
There are some errors in spelling,