Performance

Element

Distinguished

Proficient

Intermediate

Minimal

Establishes and maintains

clear focus; evidence of
Purpose and
distinctive voice and/or
Focus
appropriate tone

Focused on a
An attempt to establish Limited awareness of
purpose; evidence and maintain purpose
audience and/or
voice and/or suitable and communicate with purpose
tone
the audience

Depth and complexity of

ideas supported by rich,
Development engaging and/or pertinent
of Ideas
details; evidence analysis,
reflection and insight

Depth of idea
development
supported by
elaborated, relevant
details

Unelaborated idea
development;
unelaborated and/or
repetitious details

Minimal idea
development, limited
and/or unrelated details

Use of references
indicate ample
research

Some references

Few references

Use of references indicate

References substantial research
Careful and/or suitable
Organization organization

Sentence
Structure

Language

Grammar and
Formatting

Logical organization Lapses in focus and/or

coherence

Random or weak
organization

Variety of sentence structure Controlled and

and length
varied sentence
structure

Simplistic and/or
awkward sentence
structure

Incorrect or lack of
topic and/or ineffective
wording and/or
sentence structure

Precise and/or rich language Acceptable,

effective language

Simplistic and/or
imprecise language

Incorrect and/or
ineffective wording
and/or sentence
structure

Control of surface features

Some errors in grammar Errors in grammar and

and/or format that do not format (e.g., spelling,
interfere with
punctuation,
communication
capitalization,
headings)

Few errors in
grammar or format
relative to length
and complexity