6

CATEGORY	Excellent =4	Good =3	Satisfactory =2	Needs Improvement =1
Focus on Topic	There is one clear, well-focused topic. The writer's details/facts/ideas all relate to this topic.	There is one clear topic, but it is a bit broadly defined. The writer's details/facts/ideas all relate to this topic.	There is more than one topic. The writer's details/facts/ideas all relate to these topics.	There is more than one topic. The details/facts/information do not appear to relate to the topics OR there is a random collection of ideas/facts with no discernable point.
Support for Topic	Relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable.	Supporting details and information are relevant, but one key issue or portion of the storyline is unsupported.	Supporting details and information are relevant, but several key issues or portions of the storyline are unsupported.	Supporting details and information are typically unclear or not related to the topic.
Conclusion	The conclusion is strong and leaves the reader with clear answer to the question, "So what?"	The conclusion is recognizable and leaves the l reader understanding the purpose	The conclusion is recognizable, but does not tie up several loose ends.	There is no clear conclusion, the paper just ends.
Commitment	The writer successfully uses several reasons/appeals to try to show why the reader should care or want to know more about the topic.	The writer successfully uses one or two reasons/appeals to try to show why the reader should care or want to know more about the topic.	The writer attempts to make the reader care about the topic, but is not really successful.	The writer made no attempt to make the reader care about the topic.
Word Choice	Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, and the choice and placement of the words seems accurate, natural and not forced.	Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, but occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone.	Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch or flair.	Writer uses a limited vocabulary that does not communicate strongly or capture the reader's interest. Jargon or clichés may be present and detract from the meaning.
Sentence Structure & Fluency	All sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.	Most sentences are well-constructed with varied structure.	Most sentences are well-constructed but have a similar structure.	Sentences lack structure and appear incomplete or rambling.
Grammar & Spelling Conventions	Writer makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.	Writer makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content.
Transitions	A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected.	Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.	Some transitions work well; but connections between other ideas are fuzzy.	The transitions between ideas are unclear or non-existent.

PeaceQuest Evaluation : Writing