Informative writing: Domestic Violence

Criteria
Exemplary
5 points
Proficient
4 points
Emerging
3 points
Developing
2 points
Unsatisfactory
1 point
Ideas
The thesis statement is clear, focused, and compelling.
The analysis is unusually insightful and reveals a deep understanding of the literary work.
Significant details, examples, and quotations from the work support each key idea.
The thesis statement is clear and focused.
The analysis is insightful and reveals a thorough understanding of the literary work.
The key ideas are well supported by relevant details, examples, and quotations from the work.
The thesis statement can be inferred with careful reading.
The analysis of the literary work is superficial.
Details, examples, and quotations from the works are overly general or “filler.”
No thesis statement is present.
The analysis consists mostly of a plot summary.
Details and examples are unrelated and few quotations are used.
No thesis statement is present.
The writer struggles with insufficient understanding of the text.
Details and examples are irrelevant or missing.
/ 5
Organization
The introduction is engaging and clearly identifies the topic and the literary works.
The response has a clear progression of ideas from beginning to end.
The conclusion goes beyond summarizing the analysis to offer an enlightening perspective on the topic being discussed.
Transitional words and phrases are well crafted and connect ideas.
The organization is thoughtful and logical, and follows the structure of an informative essay.
The introduction clearly identifies the topic and the literary works.
The response has an adequate progression of ideas from beginning to end.
The conclusion summarizes the analysis and draws a conclusion or offers an observation on the topic being discussed.
Transitional words and phrases clearly show how ideas connect.
The organization is logical and follows the structure of an informative essay.
The introduction either does not clearly present the topic or does not clearly identify the literary works.
The response has an unclear progression of ideas from beginning to end.
The conclusion summarizes some of the ideas from the essay.
Transitions are inconsistently used with very little variety.
The organization shows some logic but often does not follow a consistent pattern.
The introduction hints at a possible topic and does not clearly identify the literary works.
The response has little progression of ideas and includes some information that is not relevant to the topic.
The conclusion is identifiable but skeletal.
Very few transitional words are used.
The organization shows minimal logic and does not follow a consistent pattern.
The introduction does not present the topic or identify the works of literature.
There is no clear progression of ideas; irrelevant and off topic information distracts from the focus.
The essay lacks an identifiable conclusion.
Transitions are not attempted.
The organization feels random or disjointed; the reader often feels lost or confused.
/ 5
Voice
The tone and voice are stylistically sophisticated and clearly appropriate for purpose and audience.
There are no 1st or 2nd person pronouns.
The writing reflects perceptive engagement with the literary works being discussed.
The tone and voice are direct and appropriate for purpose and audience.
There are 1-2 instances of 1st or 2nd person pronouns.
The writing reflects active engagement with the literary works being discussed.
The tone and voice are often inappropriate, and are not individual or direct.
There are 3-4 instances of 1st or 2nd person pronouns.
The writing reflects only occasional engagement with the literary works being discussed.
The tone and voice are often inappropriate and are not individual or direct.
There are 5-6 instances of 1st or 2nd person pronouns.
The writing rarely reflects engagement with the literary works being discussed.
The voice lacks individuality and is not concerned with or not matched to the audience
There are 7 or more instances of 1st or 2nd person pronouns.
The writing is lifeless or mechanical, showing no engagement with the literary works being discussed.
/ 5
Word Choice
Words are vivid, lively, and convey precise meaning.
Memorable words and phrases engage the reader and enhance the writer’s argument.
The response clearly expresses ideas using strong academic language appropriate for the audience and purpose.
Words are specific, accurate, and convey precise meaning.
Words and phrases convey understanding of the literary works.
The response adequately expresses ideas, uses some academic language, and shows an awareness of the audience and purpose.
Words are sometime inadequate but are mostly correct.
Words and phrases show limited understanding of the literary works.
The response adequately expresses ideas, academic language is used inconsistently, and/or the author sometimes appears unaware of the audience and purpose.
Words are often inadequate and often incorrect.
Words and phrases rarely show understanding of the literary works.
The response vaguely expresses ideas, uses limited academic language, and shows little awareness of the audience or purpose.
Limited vocabulary and/or frequent misuse of parts of speech impair understanding.
Vague words limit the meaning conveyed.
The response is confusing and/or shows no awareness of audience or purpose.
/ 5
Conventions
Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are uniformly correct.
Grammar and usage are correct.
Paragraphing is correct and reinforces the organization.
Sentences vary in length and structure and have a pleasing flow.
Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are generally correct.
Grammar and usage have some minor errors.
Paragraphing is generally correct and reinforces organization.
Sentences mostly vary in length and structure.

Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are sometimes uneven.
Grammar and usage are sometimes incorrect and distract from meaning.
Paragraphing is occasionally sound.
Sentences do not significantly vary in length and structure, and some fragments and run-on sentences are present.
Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are uneven.
Grammar and usage are often incorrect and distract from meaning.
Paragraphing is too frequent.
Most sentences have a repetitive structure, and many fragments and run-on sentences are present.

Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are often incorrect.
Grammar and usage mistakes are frequent and distort meaning.
Paragraphing is missing.
Repetitive sentence structure, fragments, and run-on sentences make the writing difficult to follow.
/ 5
Formatting
Paper is correctly formatted using MLA.
In-text citations follow MLA formatting.
Works Cited is properly formatted using MLA.
Paper is generally formatted correctly using MLA.
In-text citations are generally formatted correctly using MLA.
Works Cited is generally formatted correctly.
MLA formatting is inconsistent throughout the paper.
In-text citations are sometimes incorrect.
Works Cited are sometimes incorrect.
MLA formatting is incorrect.
In-text citations are either missing or incorrect.
Works Cited is either missing or incorrect.
There is no attempt to follow MLA formatting.
There is not an attempt to cite sources in-text.
No attempt has been made to cite sources in Works Cited.
/ 5
Rubric Total Score
Total
/ 30