Overview
The Rubrics section contains a description of the criteria required for a paper
to earn a particular score point for each of the scoring domains: Composing/Written
Expression and Usage/Mechanics. These criteria are used to score all of the
papers. You should become familiar with the description of each score point
for the three domains. Study them in conjunction with the anchor papers to gain
a full understanding of how the criteria are applied. All domains are assessed
on a scale from 1 to 4.
Composing/Written Expression
The Composing/Written/Expression domain includes the focusing, elaborating,
and structuring that a writer does to clarify and defend a clear position
for a reader. It is the creation of a product, the building of a writing
intended to be read. The writer crafts his/her message for the reader by
focusing on a clear position, providing elaboration, organizing ideas in
a unified, logical manner. This crafting of a finished product also results
from a shaping and controlling of language to affect readers. This is accomplished
through the vividness, specificity, and rhythm of the piece and through
the writer’s attitude and presence.
Features:
• Position
• Elaboration
• Organization and Unity
• Sentence variety
• Selected vocabulary and information
• Tone and Voice
Composing/Written Expression Rubric
| Score
Point 4 |
The
writer demonstrates consistent, though not necessarily perfect, control
of the Composing/Written Expression domain's features.
The writing at this score point level:
|
| Score
Point 3 |
The
writer demonstrates reasonable, but not consistent, control of the Composing/Written
Expression domain’s features. The writer may control some
features of the domain more than others.
The writing at this score point level:
|
| Score
Point 2 |
The
writer demonstrates inconsistent control of several of the Composing/Written
Expression domain's features, indicating significant weakness.
The writing at this score point level:
|
| Score
Point 1 |
The
writer demonstrates little or no control of most of the Composing/Written
Expression domain's features.
The writing at this score point level:
|
Usage/Mechanics
The Usage/Mechanics domain comprises the writer’s ability to form competent
sentences that are appropriate for the grade level. It also comprises the use
of word level features that cause written language to be acceptable and effective
for standard discourse. This includes the system of symbols and cueing devices
a writer uses to help readers make meaning.
Features:
Usage/Mechanics Rubric
| Score
Point 4 |
The
writer demonstrates consistent, though not necessarily perfect, control
of the Usage and Mechanics domain's features. The writing at this score point level:
|
| Score
Point 3 |
The
writer demonstrates reasonable, but not consistent, control of the Usage
and Mechanics domain’s features. The writer exhibits
control which outweighs occasional errors present in the paper.
The writing at this score point level:
|
| Score
Point 2 |
The
writer demonstrates inconsistent control of several of the Usage and
Mechanics domain’s features. Evidence of the author’s
knowledge of the domain appears alongside frequent errors. The density
and variety of errors outweigh the control present in the paper.
The writing at this score point level:
|
| Score
Point 1 |
The
writer demonstrates little or no control of most of the Usage and Mechanics
domain’s features. Frequent and severe errors in usage
and mechanics distract the reader and may make the writing hard to understand.
Even when meaning is not significantly affected, the density and variety
of errors overwhelm the performance and keep it from meeting minimum
standards of competence.
The writing at this score point level:
|