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Florida Standards Assessment Informative/Explanatory Writing Rubric
For each of the following, answer yes or no. Also point out to your peer the sections of the essay that could be improved. Suggest ideas for improvement.
Purpose, Focus, and Organization: Write average for all of below ____. (Divide by eight.)
- Does the essay have a clearly stated thesis?___
- Do each of the body paragraphs clearly relate to the thesis (controlling idea of the essay)? (Check that the essay does not get "off track" or include loosely related material.)___
- Does the essay have effective transitions between ideas and paragraphs? ___
- Is the essay well organized and focussed from beginning to end?___
- Does the essay have a good introduction?___
- Does the essay have a good conclusion?___
- Is the language of the essay appropriate for a formal essay?___
- Is the essay strictly objective, based on facts from the texts (no opinion)?___
Based on all of the above, rate the essay on a scale of 1 to 4. (1 is the lowest score and 4 is the highest score):
Evidence and Elaboration: Write average for all of below ____. (Divide by six.)
- Does the essay smoothly integrate thorough and relevant evidence?___
- Does the essay include precise references to the sources by using parenthetical citations?___
- Does the essay include good examples and quotations (not too long) to support the thesis/controlling idea?___
- Does the essay include precise, specific language in the elaboration (not general or vague)?___
- Is the elaboration appropriate for the purpose (thesis) of the essay?___
- Does the elaboration flow (is it easy to read?) with well-written sentences that vary in length?___
Based on all of the above, rate the essay on a scale of 1 to 4. (1 is the lowest score and 4 is the highest score):
Conventions of Standard English: Write average for all of below ____. (Divide by two.)
- Does the essay include only minor errors (a few at most) in writing?___
- Does the essay adequately use correct punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation, and spelling?___
Based on the above, rate the essay with a score of 1 or 2. (1 is the lowest score and 2 is the highest score):
