Absent or

Below Basic

Developing

Profcient

Advanced

Form: Design

Figures or formatting do not

match the papers purpose or
are not explained by author.

Some figures and formatting help

author achieve purpose.

Designincluding figures and

formathelps author achieve
purpose.

Designincluding figures
and formathelps author
achieve purpose with style.

Form: Genre

Generic conventions are not

employed.

Follows most generic conventions

(whether for instruction manual,
cover letter, etc.)

Follows generic conventions

(whether for instruction manual,
cover letter, etc.).

Follows generic conventions

(whether for instruction
manual, cover letter, etc.)
consistently and with
sophistication.

Content:
Information

Fails to provide most of the

required information.

Supplies some necessary

information.

Supplies all necessary

information.

Content:
Support

Typically does not support

claims with evidence.
Sometimes tries to support
claims with additional claims or
personal opinion.
Frequently unorganized:
difficult to find a clear
relationship between
paragraphs or sentences.
Headings are inappropriate,
unclear or absent.

Supports a few claims with

evidence, although the evidence
could at times be more specific or
relevant.

Supports most claims with

specific, relevant details and/or
evidence.

Supplies all necessary

information with
sophistication.
Supports all claims with
specific, relevant details
and/or evidence. Employs
different types of evidence.

Demonstrates some signs of

organization, but occasionally
includes abrupt or illogical shifts
and ineffective sequence of ideas.
Headings may not be appropriate
or clear.

Effectively ordered paragraphs

generally cover only one topic
each and are linked with useful
transitions. Headings are usually
appropriate and clear.
Sentences typically flow
logically.

Citations:

Omits or uses incorrectly

MLA- or APA-style
parenthetical citations,
quotation marks, and works
cited list. Drops quotations and
ideas into text without
introducing source.

A few errors in MLA- or APAstyle parenthetical citations,

quotation marks, and works cited
list. Often includes sources names
without introduction.

Correctly uses MLA- or APAstyle parenthetical citations,

quotation marks, and works cited
list. Usually introduces each
source fullyyou know who did
the research or talking, for
whom, and why.

Readability:

Spelling, syntax, diction, or

punctuation errors impede
readability.

Spelling, syntax, diction, or

punctuation errors impede
readability or otherwise distract
from meaning.

Spelling, syntax, diction, or

punctuation errors are few and
do not distract from meaning.

Content:
Organization

N/A

Effectively ordered
paragraphs cover only one
topic each and are generally
linked with useful
transitions. Headings are
appropriate and clear.
Sentences flow logically to
persuade reader.
Correctly uses MLA- or
APA-style parenthetical
citations, quotation marks,
and works cited list.
Introduces each source
fullyyou know who did
the research or talking, for
whom, and why.
Outstanding control of
language, including
effective diction and
sentence variety.

Design:
Center headings
Too much white
space

Content
Information:
Expected
graduation date?