Absent or Below Basic Developing Proficient Advanced

1
Write formally and
informally, in-class
and out-of-class, for a
variety of audiences
and purposes.
Audience's needs are often
not recognized: terms and
ideas need explanation and
language needs adjustment
for the audience. Purpose
isn't clear or achieved.
Few changes between
genres and styles.
Shows some attention to
audience's needs, sometimes
defining necessary terms and
ideas and using audience-
appropriate language. Purpose
may be unclear at times, and it
may not be achieved convincingly.
Demonstrates difficulty in
transitioning between genres and
styles.
Shows attention to audience's
needs, defining necessary
terms and ideas and using
audience-appropriate
language. Purpose may be
implied, but it's clear and
achieved. Transitions between
genres and styles competently.
Shows sophisticated attention to audience's
needs, defining necessary terms and ideas and
using audience-appropriate language.
Purpose is clear and achieved with style.
Transitions between genres and styles with
ease. Easy to read, transitions clarify
the organization of the paper. The purpose of
your proposal is clear and understandable.
2
Find, evaluate, select,
synthesize, organize,
ethically cite, and
present information
from a variety of
sources appropriate
to their disciplines.
Omits or uses incorrectly
MLA- or APA-style
parenthetical citations,
quotation marks, and
works cited list. Drops
quotations and ideas into
text when introduction is
appropriate. Frequently
uses irrelevant sources.
A few errors in MLA- or APA-style
parenthetical citations, quotation
marks, and works cited list. Often
neglects to introduce source when
introduction is appropriate.
Sometimes uses irrelevant
sources.
Correctly uses MLA- or APA-
style parenthetical citations,
quotation marks, and works
cited list. When appropriate,
usually introduces each source
fullyreader knows who did
the research or
communicating, for whom, and
why. Use of sources is usually
relevant.
Correctly uses MLA- or APA-style
parenthetical citations, quotation marks, and
works cited list. When appropriate,
introduces each source fullyreader knows
who did the research or communicating, for
whom, and why. Use of sources is always
relevant. Sources cited support arguments
and statements well.
3
Compare, contrast,
and synthesize
carefully and
objectively the
relative merits of
alternative or
opposing arguments,
research, and/or
methods.
Fails to consider the
relative merits of
alternative or opposing
arguments, research,
and/or methods.
Attempts to compare, contrast,
and synthesize the relative
merits of alternative or
opposing arguments, research,
and/or methods, but may lack
objectivity or thoroughness in
the comparison.
Compares, contrasts, and
synthesizes the relative
merits of alternative or
opposing arguments,
research, and/or methods.
The borader impacts section
of the proposal could
expand further on the
objectives of the proposed
research.
Compares, contrasts, and synthesizes
carefully, objectively, and insightfully the
relative merits of alternative or opposing
arguments, research, and/or methods.
363 Portfolio SLOs Rubric, By Leslie Bruce
SLO
Organizational devices
(thesis, topic sentences,
headings, transitions) may
be absent, unrelated to the
prompt, or illogically
connected. Paragraphs are
usually not unified or
organized.
Organizational devices (thesis,
topic sentences, headings,
transitions) fit the prompt, but
may be vague, too broad, or
inconsistenly or illogically linked.
Paragraphs are typically not
unified.
Clear, specific organizational
devices (thesis, topic
sentences, headings,
transitions) fit the prompt and
tie ideas together adequately.
Paragraphs are usually unified.
Clear, specific organizational devices (thesis,
topic sentences, headings, transitions) fit the
prompt and tie ideas together logically and
seamlessly. Paragraphs are consistently
unified. Headings signify the organization of
the proposal. Paragraphs contain critical
information related to headings
Inadequate, inappropriate,
illogical, or irrelevant
reasoning and evidence.
Over uses or under-analyzes
evidence. May omit reasoning
and include some irrelevant,
illogical, or unpersuasive evidence.
Usually supports the thesis and
paragraph claims with
persuasive reasoning and
credible, relevant, logical, and
analyzed evidence.
Supports the thesis and paragraph claims with
relevant, thorough, logical, and insightful
reasoning and analyzed evidence.
Tone and/or design usually
suggest/s an absence of
awareness of audience
and/or generic
conventions.
Tone and/or design are/is
sometimes inappropriate or
unconventional.
Appropriate tone and design
conform to assigned audience
and genre.
Sophisticated tone and design engage reader
and conform to assigned audience and genre.
This proposal reads as if a professional
researcher has written it. Very well organized
and information is presented exceptionally.
Spelling, syntax, diction, or
punctuation errors impede
readability.
Spelling, syntax, diction, or
punctuation errors impede
readability or otherwise distract
from meaning. Instances of
sentence structure and
grammatical errors exist in the
proposal, particularly the first two
pages.
Spelling, syntax, diction, or
punctuation errors are few and
do not distract from meaning.
Outstanding control of language, including
effective diction and sentence variety.
6
Improve ones own
and others writing
skills through the
assessment and
critique of written
works.
Fails to offer specific
critique to peers and fails
to respond to peer and
instructor critique during
revision.
Offers thoughtful, though
sometimes vague critique to peers
and attempts to respond to peer
and instructor critique during
revision.
Offers specific critique to peers
and responds thoughtfully to
peer and instructor critique
during revision.
Offers insightful, specific critique to peers and
responds thoughtfully to peer and instructor
critique during revision.
4
Organize ones
thoughts and
communicate them
clearly and
persuasively to
address a rhetorical
situation.
5
Recognize, evaluate,
and employ the
features and contexts
of language and
design that express
and influence
meaning and that
demonstrate
sensitivity to gender
and cultural
differences.
I would focus on sentence revision, word choice in certain areas, and the broader impacts of the proposed research.
If this was my portfolio, I'd focus on these three things this week:
If this was my portfolio, I'd be proud of these three things:
I would be proud of the exceptional organization, the professional tone, and the good use of credible sources in this
proposal.