Delaware Student Testing Program – General Rubric for Writing

The following characteristics determine the success of the response in meeting the needs of the audience and fulfilling the writing purpose.

Score of 5

Score of 4

Score of 3

Score of 2

Score of 1

Score point 5 meets all the criteria listed in score point 4. In addition, a paper receiving this score shows an exceptional awareness of readers’ concerns and needs.

The student may have shown an  exceptional use of:

·          Development strategies specific to the purpose for writing

·          Distinctive style, voice, tone

·          Literary devices

·          Compositional risks

 

Unified with smooth transitions, a clear and logical progression of ideas, and an effective introduction and closing.

Sufficient, specific, and relevant details that are fully elaborated.

Consistently complete sentences with appropriate variety in length and structure

A consistent style with precise and vivid word choice.

Few, if any, errors in standard written English that do not interfere with understanding.

Generally unified with some transitions, a clear progression of ideas, and an introduction and closing.

Specific details but may be insufficient, irrelevant, or not fully elaborated.

Generally complete sentences with sufficient variety in length and structure.

Some style and generally precise word choice.

Some errors in standard written English that rarely interfere with understanding.

Minimally unified and may lack transitions or an introduction or closing.

Some specific details but may be insufficient, irrelevant, and/or not elaborated.

Some sentence formation errors and a lack of sentence variety.

Sometimes general and repetitive word choice.

Several kinds of errors in standard written English that interfere with understanding.

Lacks unity.

No or few specific details that are minimally elaborated.

Frequent and sever sentence formation errors and/or a lack of sentence variety.

Often general, repetitive, and/or confusing word choice.

Frequent and severe  errors in standard written English that interfere with understanding.

For non-scorable responses see below:

·            Blank                                  ?     Refusal

·            Off topic                             ?     Illegible

·            Written in a language other   ?     Insufficient

than English