VOLUSIA WRITES RUBRIC

Topic/Criteria / Possible Points / Points Scored
FOCUS
6 – Writing was focused, purposeful and reflects insight
5 – Writing is focused on topic
4 – Writing is generally focused on topic
3 – Writing contains some extraneous or loosely related material / 6
ORGANIZATION
6 – Conveys a sense of completeness; logical progression of ideas; effective transitions.
5 – Conveys a sense of completeness; some lapses in logical progression; effective transitions.
4 – Organizational pattern is apparent with some use of transitions.
3 – Organization pattern attempted, but lacks logical progression of ideas or sense of completeness. / 6
SUPPORT/EVIDENCE
6 – Support is substantial (at least 5 pieces of evidence from the primary/secondary sources). Support is relevant, concrete; creative writing strategies used.
5- Support is ample (at least 4 pieces of evidence) and specific with some examples.
4 – Support is consistent (at least 3 pieces of evidence), but lacks detail and specificity.
3 – Support is uneven (2 or less pieced of evidence) and nonspecific. / 6
CONVENTIONS
6 – Mature command of language and freshness of expression; sentence variety; few if any errors.
5 – Mature command of language, sentence structure variety; limited errors.
4 – Predictable word choices and expressions; some sentence variety; limited errors
3 – Predictable word choices; little sentence variety apparent errors in common words and mechanics / 6
TOTAL / 24

HOW TO IMPROVE NEXT TIME:

Focus:

Explain; give reasons; don’t just describe. Look at the prompt again. Be sure to do what the prompt asks.

Reflect the topic in your intro; use a clear thesis statement; use some of the language from the prompt.

Use “I” not “you” when writing about a prompt that asks about your choice or experience.

Think of yourself as the expert on your topic; don’t criticize your own ideas.

Find a creative/unusual approach to the topic; show maturity of thought.

Use an attention-getting hook in the intro; relate what the reader probably knows, then connect to your idea.

Be sure to have a conclusion that revisits the main idea and gives the reader something to think about.

Come full circle to give a sense of completion; make the conclusion “match” the intro like “bookends.”

Organization:

Have a definite intro, body, and conclusion. Do not end without a conclusion.

Do not use supporting information in your intro.

Organize each paragraph with a transition, topic sentence, details and then examples.

Organize main supporting ideas in chronological order or from least important to most important.

Avoid obvious and elementary style transitions (My first reason is . . . . This paragraph is about . . . .).

Support:

Elaborate each supporting idea with a description and an example (like “One time I . . . .” or “Imagine that . . . .”.

Increase the amount and specificity of your support. The judges want substantial support.

Elaborate evenly; don’t use a lot description and detail on some reasons and very little on others.

Use fresh expressions (not clichés); use sensory details (but don’t list them); use similes and metaphors.

Use elevated vocabulary; action verbs; vivid adjectives; include a little dialogue for variety.

Conventions:

Include sentence structure variety; start about every 3rd or 4th sentence with a dependent clause, prepositional phrase, or adverb; do sentence combining (but no run-ons)You can’t join sentences with just a comma!

Proofread to catch obvious errors like repeated or missing words. Be more careful about sentence fragments.

Use a period or semicolon to indicate a stop; use a comma to indicate a pause.