General Evaluation Rubric for Papers
The following rubric intends to provide a general evaluation for a holistic scoring of English papers. Categories are divided by the elements that constitute an excellent paper, a good paper, a borderline paper, a "needs help" paper, and a failing paper.
This scoring rubric becomes especially effective for higher level papers. It clearly outlines the basic elements that are needed to develop a strong response. Although this particular measure of assessment is geared toward literary analysis, information can be easily adapted or changed to fit certain writing assignments or grading scales.
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Standards & Objectives
Academic standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.1
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.2
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.5
- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.3
- Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5
- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.8
- Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts, including the application of constitutional principles and use of legal reasoning...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1
- Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.2
- Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.8
- Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.10
- By the end of grade 11, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.11-12.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3
- Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts,...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1
- Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4
- Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1
- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience....
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.5
- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.7
- Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1
- Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two)...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.7
- Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.9
- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1
- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two)...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience....
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.5
- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most...
- CLE 3001.1.2
- Employ a variety of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, etymology, spelling, and usage of words and phrases.
- CLE 3001.2.6
- Deliver effective oral presentations.
- CLE 3001.3.1
- Write in a variety of modes for different audiences and purposes.
- CLE 3001.3.3
- Organize ideas into an essay with a thesis statement in the introduction, well constructed paragraphs, a conclusion, and transition sentences that connect...
- CLE 3001.3.4
- Revise documents to develop or support ideas clearly, address potential objections, ensure effective transitions between paragraphs, and correct errors in lo
- CLE 3001.5.3
- Evaluate an argument, considering false premises, logical fallacies, and the quality of evidence presented.
- CLE 3001.8.5
- Know and use appropriate literary terms to derive meaning from various literary genres.
- CLE 3002.1.2
- Employ a variety of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, etymology, spelling, and usage of words and phrases
- CLE 3002.2.6
- Deliver effective oral presentations.
- CLE 3002.3.1
- Write in a variety of modes for different audiences and purposes.
- CLE 3002.3.3
- Organize ideas into an essay with a thesis statement in the introduction, wellconstructed paragraphs, a conclusion, and transition sentences that connect...
- CLE 3002.3.4
- Revise documents to develop or support ideas clearly, address potential objections, ensure effective transitions between paragraphs, and correct errors in logic.
- CLE 3002.8.5
- Know and use appropriate literary terms to derive meaning from various literary genres.
- CLE 3003.1.1
- Demonstrate control of Standard English through grammar usage and mechanics (punctuation, capitalization, and spelling).
- CLE 3003.1.2
- Employ a variety of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, etymology, spelling, and usage of words and phrases.
- CLE 3003.2.7
- Participate in work teams and group discussions.
- CLE 3003.3.1
- Write in a variety of modes, with particular emphasis on persuasion, for different purposes and audiences.
- CLE 3003.3.3
- Organize ideas into an essay with a thesis statement in the introduction, well-constructed paragraphs, a conclusion, and transition sentences that connect...
- CLE 3003.6.1
- Comprehend and summarize the main ideas of complex informational texts and determine the essential elements that elaborate them.
- CLE 3003.6.3
- Read, interpret, and analyze graphics that support complex informational and technical texts.
- CLE 3003.8.5
- Know and use appropriate literary terms to derive meaning and comprehension from various literary genres.
- CLE 3005.1.1
- Demonstrate control of Standard English through grammar usage and mechanics (punctuation, capitalization, and spelling).
- CLE 3005.1.2
- Employ a variety of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, etymology, spelling, and usage of words and phrases.
- CLE 3005.2.7
- Participate in work teams and group discussions.
- CLE 3005.3.1
- Write in a variety of modes for different purposes and audiences.
- CLE 3005.3.3
- Organize ideas into an essay with a thesis statement in the introduction, well-constructed paragraphs, a conclusion, and transition sentences that connect...
- CLE 3005.5.1
- Use logic to make inferences and draw conclusions in a variety of complex oral and written contexts.
- CLE 3005.5.4
- Analyze the logical features of an argument.
- CLE 3005.6.1
- Comprehend and summarize the main ideas of complex informational texts and determine the essential elements that elaborate them.
- CLE 3005.6.3
- Read, interpret, and analyze graphics that support complex informational and technical texts.
- CLE 3005.8.5
- Know and use appropriate literary terms to derive meaning and comprehension from various literary genres.
- GLE 0401.3.1
- Write for a variety of purposes and to a variety of audiences.
- GLE 0401.3.2
- Write in a variety of modes and genres (e.g., narration, description, personal expression, imaginative writing, response to literature, response to subject...
- GLE 0401.4.1
- Conduct research to access and present information.
- GLE 0401.4.2
- Collect, organize, and determine the reliability of researched information.
- GLE 0401.4.3
- Present research results in a written report.
- SPI 0401.1.13
- Recognize and use grade appropriate vocabulary within context.
- SPI 0401.3.8
- Select appropriate time-order or transitional words to enhance the flow of a writing sample.
- SPI 0401.8.2
- Identify characters, setting, and plot in a passage.
- SPI 3001.1.12
- Use context clues and/or knowledge of roots, affixes, and cognates to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- SPI 3001.1.13
- Select the appropriate word among frequently confused words (i.e., to/too/two, their/there/theyre, it/its, you/youre, whose/whos, which/that/who, accept/except,...
- SPI 3001.3.10
- Identify the targeted audience for a selected passage.
- SPI 3001.3.14
- Select the most precise word to provide clarity appropriate to audience and purpose.
- SPI 3001.3.3
- Choose the transitional device that appropriately connects sentences or paragraphs within a writing sample.
- SPI 3001.3.4
- Select a vivid word (e.g., adjective, adverb, verb) to strengthen a written description.
- SPI 3002.1.13
- Select the appropriate word from among frequently confused words (i.e., to/too/two, their/there/theyre, it/its, you/youre, whose/whos, which/that/who,...
- SPI 3002.1.14
- Use context clues and/or knowledge of roots, affixes, and cognates to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
- SPI 3002.3.11
- Identify the targeted audience for a selected passage.
- SPI 3002.3.15
- Select the most precise word to provide clarity appropriate to audience and purpose.
- SPI 3002.3.3
- Choose the transitional device that appropriately connects sentences or paragraphs within a writing sample.
- SPI 3002.3.4
- Select a vivid word (e.g., adjective, adverb, verb) to strengthen a written description.
- SPI 3003.1.1
- Demonstrate the correct use of commas and lesser-used punctuation marks (e.g., hyphens, dashes, colons) in complex and sophisticated constructions.
- SPI 3003.1.8
- Choose correctly or incorrectly spelled words.
- SPI 3003.2.5
- Identify the rhetorical devices used in a complex speech (i.e., rhetorical questions, parallelism and repetition, analogies, hyperbole, metaphors, simile,...
- SPI 3003.3.13
- Identify the targeted audience for a selected passage.
- SPI 3003.3.8
- Choose the transitional device that appropriately connects sentences or paragraphs within a writing sample.
- SPI 3003.3.9
- Rearrange the order of supporting paragraphs within a writing sample given a specified organizational pattern (comparison-contrast, chronological).
- SPI 3003.4.3
- Evaluate the reliability and credibility of sources for use in research.
- SPI 3003.5.11
- Identify the main claim, premise(s), evidence, or conclusion of a given argument.
- SPI 3003.5.8
- Determine whether a given argument employs deductive or inductive reasoning. (NOTE: NO Check for Understanding)
- TSS.ELA.11-12.L.CSE.1
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking; consider complex and contested matters of usage...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.L.CSE.2
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing; when reading and writing, use...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.L.VAU.5
- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings in grades 11-12 reading and content; interpret...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.RI.CS.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.RL.CS.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.SL.CC.1
- Initiate and participate effectively with varied partners in a range of collaborative discussions on appropriate 11th - 12th grade topics, texts, and...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.W.PDW.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- TSS.ELA.11-12.W.PDW.5
- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.W.RBPK.7
- Conduct and write short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem by...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.W.RW.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
- TSS.ELA.11-12.W.TTP.1
- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning supported by relevant and sufficient evidence.
- TSS.ELA.11-12.W.TTP.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to analyze, synthesize, and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the...
- TSS.ELA.11-12.W.TTP.3
- Write narrative fiction or literary nonfiction to convey experiences and/or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured...
- TSS.ELA.4.RI.KID.3
- Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific...
- TSS.ELA.4.RL.KID.3
- Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in a text, such as a character's thoughts, words, or...
- TSS.ELA.4.W.RBPK.7
- Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
- TSS.ELA.4.W.RBPK.9
- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research, applying grade 4 standards for reading.
- TSS.ELA.4.W.RW.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences; promote writing fluency.
- TSS.ELA.4.W.TTP.1
- Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
- TSS.ELA.4.W.TTP.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information.
- TSS.ELA.4.W.TTP.3
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using an effective technique, such as descriptive details and clear event sequences.
- TSS.ELA.9-10.L.KL.3
- Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend ...
- TSS.ELA.9-10.L.VAU.5
- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings in grades 9-10 reading and content; interpret figures...
- TSS.ELA.9-10.RI.CS.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative...
- TSS.ELA.9-10.RL.CS.4
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of...
- TSS.ELA.9-10.SL.PKI.4
- Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically, so that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the...
- TSS.ELA.9-10.W.PDW.4
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- TSS.ELA.9-10.W.PDW.5
- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most...
- TSS.ELA.9-10.W.RW.10
- Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
- TSS.ELA.9-10.W.TTP.1
- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning supported by relevant and sufficient evidence.
- TSS.ELA.9-10.W.TTP.2
- Write informative/explanatory texts to analyze and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection...
- TSS.ELA.9-10.W.TTP.3
- Write narrative fiction or literary nonfiction to convey experiences and/or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured...
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