Name ______Period ______

Grade 7 Core Assessment: Citizen Composers

Central Bucks School District Writing Rubric

Argument Writing

Focus and
Organization / Advanced
15-14 points / Proficient
13-11 points / Basic
10-9 points / Below Basic
8-0 points / Points: /15
  • Strong claim statement that clearly states the topic and writer’s stance
  • Clear topic sentences related to claim statement and content of body paragraphs
  • Remains on topic throughout
  • Effective organizational strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, that develop a controlling idea
/
  • Clear claim statement that mentions the topic and suggests the writer’s stance
  • Clear topic sentences mostly related to content of body paragraphs
  • Remains mostly on topic throughout
  • Organizational strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, that develop a controlling idea
/
  • Unclear claim statement that mentions topic and/or does not make the writer’s stance obvious
  • Weak/Unrelated topic sentences
  • Strays off topic
  • Inconsistent organizational strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, that ineffectively develop a controlling idea
/
  • No claim statement
  • Topic sentences/paragraphs are unrelated
  • Very much off topic
  • Little or no evidence of organizational strategies and structures, such as logical order and transitions, that ineffectively develop a controlling idea

Content / Advanced
60-54 points / Proficient
53-42 points / Basic
41-36 points / Below Basic
35-0 points / Points: /60
  • Thoroughly elaborated argument that includes a clear position.
  • Precise and relevant evidence from research carefully chosen to support claim
  • Superior understanding of topic and purpose
  • Sophisticated ideas are fully developed
  • Thorough development of details and analysis
  • Clearly addresses the opposing viewpoint
  • Cites sources
/
  • Sufficiently elaborated argument that includes a clear position
  • Some relevant evidence from research to support claim
  • Adequate understanding of the topic and purpose
  • Ideas are developed
  • Adequate details and analysis
  • Acknowledges the opposing viewpoint
  • Attempts to cite sources
/
  • Insufficiently elaborated argument that includes an underdeveloped position
  • Little evidence to support claim
  • Partial or limited understanding of the topic and purpose
  • Development is uneven with few details
  • Lack of adequate analysis
  • Attempt to acknowledge the opposing viewpoint
/
  • Unelaborated argument that includes an undeveloped position
  • Minimal or no evidence to support claim
  • Absence of a clear understanding of topic and purpose
  • Absence of logical development
  • Lacks supporting details and analysis
  • Absence of opposing viewpoint

Voice and
Style / Advanced
10-9 points / Proficient
8-7 points / Basic
6 points / Below Basic
5-0 points / Points: /10
  • Clear and understandable writing
  • Sophisticated and varied sentence structure
  • Evident awareness of target audience
  • Precise word choice
/
  • Mostly clear and understandable writing
  • Demonstrates some variety in sentence structure
  • General awareness of target audience
  • Appropriate word choice
/
  • Writing is somewhat difficult to understand
  • Repetitive/Incorrect sentence structure
  • Limited/Inconsistent awareness of target audience
  • Limited word choice
/
  • Writing is difficult to understand
  • Flawed sentence structure
  • Disregard for target audience
  • Slang/Inappropriate word choice

Conventions / Advanced
15-14 points / Proficient
13-12 points / Basic
11-9 points / Below Basic
8-0 points / Points: /15
Total: /100
  • Evident control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Paper is virtually error-free
/
  • Adequate control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Errors in conventions do not significantly impact meaning
/
  • Limited control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Errors in conventions impact meanin6
/
  • Little to no control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation
  • Errors severely impact meaning

Updated 6/25/14