Project Zero's Rubrics and Self-Assessment Project was supported by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation.

Criteria

4

3

2

1

The claim

I make a claim and explain why it is controversial.

I make a claim but don't explain why it is controversial.

My claim is buried, confused and/or unclear.

I don't say what my argument or claim is.

Reasons in support of the claim

I give clear and accurate reasons in support of my claim.

I give reasons in support of my claim but I may overlook important reasons.

I give 1 or 2 weak reasons that don't support my claim and/or irrelevant or confusing reasons.

I do not give convincing reasons in support of my claim.

Reasons against the claim

I discuss the reasons against my claim and explain why it is valid anyway.

I discuss the reasons against my claim but leave some reasons out and/or don't explain why the claim still stands.

I say that there are reasons against the claim but I don't discuss them.

I do not acknowledge or discuss the reasons against the claim.

Organization

My writing has a compelling opening, an informative middle and a satisfying conclusion.

My writing has a beginning, middle and end. It marches along but doesn't dance.

My writing is organized but sometimes gets off topic.

My writing is aimless and disorganized.

Voice and tone

It sounds like I care about my argument. I show how I think and feel about it.

My tone is OK but my paper could have been written by anyone. I need to tell more about how I think and feel.

My writing is bland or pretentious. There is either no hint of a real person in it or it sounds like I'm a fake.

My writing is too formal or too informal. It sounds like I don't like the topic of the essay.

Word choice

The words I use are striking but natural, varied and vivid.

I make routine word choices.

The words I use are often dull or uninspired or sound like I am trying too hard to impress.

I use the same words over and over and over and over. Some words may be confusing to a reader.

Sentence fluency

My sentences are clear, complete, and of varying lengths.

I have well-constructed sentences.

My sentences are sometimes awkward, and/or contain run-ons and fragments.

Many run-ons, fragments and awkward phrasings make my essay hard to read.

Conventions

I use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

I generally use correct conventions. I have a couple of errors I should fix.

I have enough errors in my essay to distract a reader.

Numerous errors make my paper hard to read.

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