Writing Scoring Guide for Lesson Six Formative Assessment

4 points

The paper:

has an effective beginning, middle, and end

uses paragraphing appropriately

contains a strong controlling idea (summary)

progresses in a logical order

uses effective cohesive devices (such as transitions, repetition, pronouns, parallel structure) between and/or with paragraphs

clearly addresses the topic and provides specific and relevant details/examples from both articles

uses precise and vivid language

contains sentences that are clear and varied in structure

effectively uses writing techniques (such as imagery, humor, point of view, voice)

clearly shows an awareness of audience and purpose

contains few errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling

3 points

The paper:

 has a beginning, middle, and end

uses paragraphing

contains a controlling idea (summary)

generally progresses in a logical order

may use cohesive devices

addresses the topic and uses relevant details/examples from both articles

uses language that is usually precise

contains sentences that are clear and show some variety in structure

uses writing techniques

shows an awareness of audience and purpose

may contains errors in grammar/usage; punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling that are not distracting to the reader

2 points

The paper:

has evidence of a beginning, middle, and end

shows evidence of paragraphing

contains some sense of direction, but may lack focus

may not progress in a logical order (summary)

at time seems awkward and lacks cohesion

addresses the topic but may contain some details that are not relevant or does not include information from both articles

may use imprecise language

contains sentences that are generally clear, but lack variety in structure

may use writing techniques

shows some awareness of audience and purpose

contains errors in grammar/usage; punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling that may be distracting to the reader

1 point

The paper:

may lack evidence of a beginning, middle, and end

may lack evidence of paragraphing

is difficult to follow and lacks focus

does not progress in a logical order, and may digress to unrelated topics

is awkward and lacks cohesion

may address the topic, but lacks details from one or both articles

uses imprecise language

contains sentences that are unclear and lack variety in structure

does not use writing techniques

shows little or no awareness of audience and purpose

contains repeated errors in grammar/usage; punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling that are distracting to the reader