Written Expression 4 3 2 1 The writer The writer The writer The writer demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates little or consistent, though not reasonable, but not inconsistent control of no control of most of necessarily perfect, consistent, control of several features, the written expression control of the written the written expression indicating significant domain’s features. expression domain’s domain’s features; the weakness in the Both word choice and features. The result is writer may control written expression information are a purposefully crafted some features more domain. Some general, vague, and/or message that the than others. On the specificity of word repetitive. A lack of reader remembers, specific word choice might exist, sentence variety primarily because its choice and but mostly the makes the precise information information cause the message will be presentation and vocabulary message to be clear; crafted with monotonous. The resonate as images in occasionally, a few imprecise, bland existence of several the reader’s mind. examples of vivid or language. As a result, extremely awkward Highly specific word purposeful figurative the writer’s voice constructions may choice and language may be emerges only on further reduce the information also present. Along with occasion, if at all. The paper’s stylistic effect. create tone in the instances of selection of The writer’s lack of writing and enhance successful control, a information may be control of vocabulary the writer’s voice. few general uneven and/or consist and information Metaphors, similes, statements or vague of an attempt to tell prevents both tone and and other figurative words might be everything that the voice from emerging. language, if present, presented; when they writer knows about a are purposeful. The are, the tone and voice topic. A relative lack writer repeats or of the piece will of sentence variety varies sentence flatten somewhat. may make the reading construction for effect Overall, subordination monotonous, and and appropriately and sentence variety awkward subordinates ideas and are present, but constructions may be embeds modifiers on a occasional awkward distracting enough to regular basis, resulting constructions or the make the writer’s in a rhythmic flow lack of structural meaning unclear on throughout the piece. complexity may occasion. While a few diminish the rhythm brief rhythmic clusters of the paper. of sentences may occur, an overall sense of rhythmic flow is not present. Usage/Mechanics Rubric
Written Expression 4 3 2 1 The writer demonstrates consistent, though not necessarily perfect, control of the written expression domain’s features. The result is a purposefully crafted message that the reader remembers, primarily because its precise information and vocabulary resonate as images in the reader’s mind. Highly specific word choice and information also create tone in the writing and enhance the writer’s voice. Metaphors, similes, and other figurative language, if present, are purposeful. The writer repeats or varies sentence construction for effect and appropriately subordinates ideas and embeds modifiers on a regular basis, resulting in a rhythmic flow throughout the piece. The writer demonstrates reasonable, but not consistent, control of the written expression domain’s features; the writer may control some features more than others. On the specific word choice and information cause the message to be clear; occasionally, a few examples of vivid or purposeful figurative language may be present. Along with instances of successful control, a few general statements or vague words might be presented; when they are, the tone and voice of the piece will flatten somewhat. Overall, subordination and sentence variety are present, but occasional awkward constructions or the lack of structural complexity may diminish the rhythm of the paper. The writer demonstrates inconsistent control of several features, indicating significant weakness in the written expression domain. Some specificity of word choice might exist, but mostly the message will be crafted with imprecise, bland language. As a result, the writer’s voice emerges only on occasion, if at all. The selection of information may be uneven and/or consist of an attempt to tell everything that the writer knows about a topic. A relative lack of sentence variety may make the reading monotonous, and awkward constructions may be distracting enough to make the writer’s meaning unclear on occasion. While a few brief rhythmic clusters of sentences may occur, an overall sense of rhythmic flow is not present. The writer demonstrates little or no control of most of the written expression domain’s features. Both word choice and information are general, vague, and/or repetitive. A lack of sentence variety makes the presentation monotonous. The existence of several extremely awkward constructions may further reduce the paper’s stylistic effect. The writer’s lack of control of vocabulary and information prevents both tone and voice from emerging. Usage/Mechanics Rubric