Letter Writing Rubric (100 points)

Elements of the Form / Awesome
Form / Cool Form / Needs Improvement / Points Earned
Structure
Has at least 3 paragraphs
2-3 sentences + per paragraph
All lines at left margin
Inside address proper format:
Name
Street Address
City, State, ZIP
Salutation has Dear
Salutation has title (Mr., Ms.)
Salutation has last name only / All 7 elements listed in the column to the left are OK
(14 Points) / Only 5-6 elements listed in the first column are OK
(10-12 points) / Less than 5 elements listed in the first column are OK
(0-8 points)
Margins and Spacing
2” top margin
1” other margins
Paragraphs are single spaced
Blank line between paragraphs
3 blank lines after Date
Blank line before salutation
Blank line after salutation
Blank line after Sincerely
3 blank lines after Sincerely
Writer’s name & title together
Blank line before ref initials / All 11 elements listed in the column to the left are OK
(22 points) / Only 9-10 elements listed in the first column are OK
(18-20 points) / Less than 9 elements listed in first column are OK
(0-18 points)
Parts of the letter
Return address or letterhead
Date
Inside address
Salutation
Body
Complimentary closing
Signature line
Writer’s title
Reference initials
No punctuation after salutation and complimentary closing
OR colon, then comma / All 10 elements listed in the column to the left are OK
(20 points) / Only 8-9 elements listed in the first column are OK
(16-18 points) / Less than 8 elements listed in the first column are OK
(0-14 points)
Spelling
2 points off per error / No spelling/keying errors / Has one spelling/keying error / Has three or more spelling/keying errors
Grading Scale / 28 elements @ 2 pts. each = 56 pts. plus 44 pts. for paragraph words = 100 pts. total possible; 2 pts. deducted per error
Student’s Grade

5 bonus points if a letterhead is designed