Advanced Composition Rubric

The following rubric (assessment scale) will be used to evaluate your work in this class. These grades are both subjective and objective indicators on how well you have completed an assignment. As you may know, different restrictions will come with different assignments. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, yet you should always strive to complete the very best piece of writing that you are able to write.

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A+ The assignment is clearly focused on the prompt. Development of the topic is rich, as evidenced by analytic thinking and a natural flow of ideas. The organizational structure is coherent with a sense of wholeness. Vocabulary, both in breadth and precision, is chosen

A carefully to achieve a purposeful style and voice. The paper demonstrates consideration of audience. While there may be a few errors in mechanics, they do not interfere with the

A-B+ understanding.

B+A- The paper focuses on the prompt. Ample details are specific and relevant; development of the topic is logical. The organizational structure is coherent and conveys a

B sense of wholeness. Word choice is precise and diverse; sentence structure is varied. A clear personal style and voice and an awareness of the audience is apparent. Those

B-C+ mechanical errors that may be present do not impair understanding.

C+B- The paper is generally related to the prompt; detail and development are generally logical, but may be uneven. The organizational structure of the paper supports the other

C elements adequately and has some sense of wholeness, although some drifting may occur. Word choice and sentence structure are interesting and contribute to the sense of an individual style and voice. There is some awareness of audience. And, while there may be C-D+ convention errors, they seldom impede understanding.

D+C- The paper demonstrates an awareness of the topic, but extraneous or loosely related details are included. There is some development of the topic. A clear but simple

D organizational structure is apparent, although the focus may shift or the paper may lack a sense of wholeness. More varied vocabulary and sentence structure contribute to an

D/F emerging personal style and voice. The convention errors make understanding difficult.

F The paper is barely related to the topic. There is very little development. There is scant evidence of a controlling structure. Limited or inappropriate vocabulary inhibits the reader’s understanding and sentence structure is repetitive, so that a personal style or voice is not identifiable. Lack of control of conventions often impairs understanding.