Personal Letter Rubric
Name: ______
Objective / Exemplary4 marks / Proficient
3 marks / Partially Proficient
2 marks / Incomplete
1 mark
Ideas are written in a logical sequence / Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what the letter was about. / Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organization could have been better. / Ideas were somewhat organized, but were not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what the letter was about. / The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out what the letter was about.
Message includes interesting details specific about Amanda’s, Gabby’s, Mike’s and Brandon’s Story / Ideas were expressed in a clear and organized fashion. It was easy to figure out what the letter was about. / Ideas were expressed in a pretty clear manner, but the organization could have been better. / Ideas were somewhat organized, but were not very clear. It took more than one reading to figure out what the letter was about. / The letter seemed to be a collection of unrelated sentences. It was very difficult to figure out what the letter was about.
The letter is written with “good, interesting, complex” sentences – not short choppy sentences / Sentences and paragraphs are complete, well-constructed and of varied structure. / All sentences are complete and well-constructed (no fragments, no run-ons). Paragraphing is generally done well. / Most sentences are complete and well-constructed. Paragraphing needs some work. / Many sentence fragments or run-on sentences OR paragraphing needs lots of work.
Feelings about the interview process were clearly laid out details specific about Amanda’s, Gabby’s, Mike’s and Brandon’s Story / Ideas of what was learned in preparing the challenges presentation are clearly understood. / Ideas of what was learned in preparing the challenges presentation are partially understood. / Ideas of what was learned in preparing the challenges presentation are partially understood but are still confusing. / Ideas of what was learned in preparing the challenges presentation are not even explained or poorly explained.
The letter includes all 5 parts / Complies with all the requirements for a friendly letter. / Complies with almost all the requirements for a friendly letter. / Complies with several of the requirements for a friendly letter. / Complies with less than 75% of the requirements for a friendly letter.
Writing Mechanics / The text is written with no errors in grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. / The text is clearly written with little or no editing required for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. / Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors distract or impair readability.
(3 or more errors) / Errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, usage and grammar repeatedly distract the reader and major editing and revision is required.
(more than 5 errors)
Writing Process / Student devotes a lot of time and effort to the writing process (prewriting, drafting, reviewing, and editing). Works hard to make the letter wonderful. / Student devotes sufficient time and effort to the writing process (prewriting, drafting, reviewing, and editing). Works and gets the job done. / Student devotes some time and effort to the writing process but was not very thorough. Does enough to get by. / Student devotes little time and effort to the writing process. Doesn't seem to care
Format Evaluation:
Criteria / Out of / MarkMargins = 1” except for the top which should be set to 2” (unless the letter is very long and this is adjusted to make it fit on one page) / 1
Font = standard (ie. Times New Roman), easy to read, no larger than size 12 / 1
Return address/date lines are single-spaced. / 1
Spacing between date and salutation is adequate, allowing the letter to be framed/spaced evenly on the page (NOTE: View the whole page). / 1
Spacing between salutation and body is a DS. / 1
Paragraphs are single-spaced with a DS separating them. / 1
Spacing between body and closing is a DS. / 1
Approximately 4 blank lines allow for a hand-written signature above the typed signature. (Note: please sign the letter!) / 1
Letter is in block letter style (no indents) / 1
Punctuation style is EITHER No-Point (no punctuation after the salutation/closing) OR Two-Point (comma after both the salutation and closing) / 1
10