Points

Criteria

4

Development: The writer identifies a clear position, fully supports or refutes that position with relevant factual information and ends with a strong conclusion (restatement of position, summary or call to action).

Organization: The writer presents relevant ideas logically so the reader can easily follow the writer's argument.

Attention to Audience: The writer maintains appropriate tone, chooses vocabulary appropriate to the audience and holds the reader's attention.

Language: The writer consistently uses vocabulary appropriate to the topic, maintains a consistent point of view and demonstrates correct usage and mechanics.

3

Development: The writer identifies a clear position and partially supports or refutes that position with relevant personal and/or factual information.

Organization: The writer presents an organizational plan that is logical and maintained, but with minor flaws.

Attention to Audience: The writer adequately addresses the needs and characteristics of the identified audience.

Language: The writer frequently uses language choices to enhance the text.

2

Development: The writer identifies a position, yet that position lacks clarity. The writer tries to support or refute that position with relevant personal and/or factual information.

Organization: The writer presents an organizational plan that is only generally maintained.

Attention to Audience: The writer minimally addressees the needs and characteristics of the identified audience.

Language: The writer sometimes uses language choices to enhance the text.

1

Development: The writer identifies an ambiguous position with little or no relevant personal and/or factual information to support that position; or the writer fails to identify a position.

Organization: The writer presents an argument that is illogical and/or minimally maintained.

Attention to Audience: The writer does not address the needs and characteristics of the identified audience.

Language: The writer seldom, if ever, uses language choices to enhance the text.

0

Does not attempt or meets none of the criteria.