iRubric: Observation Paper Rubric

The writing lacks organizational structure and may be haphazard and/or disjointed. The writer does most or all of the following: • uses a structure that is not appropriate for purpose (mode) and/or audience; • provides no apparent beginning and/or conclusion; • provides transitions that are poorly chosen or fails to provide transitions; • demonstrates no knowledge of pacing.

The writer has made an attempt to organize the text, but the overall structure may be inconsistent. The writer does most or all of the following: • uses a structure that is not always consistent with the purpose (mode) and/or audience; • writes a beginning and/or conclusion which is undeveloped or too obvious; • provides weak, overused, or ineffective transitions; • demonstrates little knowledge of pacing; all parts of the text seem equally important.

Generally clear and logical; structure. The writer does most or all of the following: • uses an organizational structure that fits the purpose and audience; • develops a recognizable beginning that may not be particularly inviting and/or a conclusion that may lack insight or overview; • provides adequate transitions which serve to connect ideas but may be stilted or formulaic; • pacing is fairly well controlled, but at times the writer may speed up or slow down without a sense of purpose.

Enhances central ideas; sequence and structure are strong and move reader through the text. Writer does most or all of the following: • selects an organizational structure that advances the purpose and is appropriate for the audience; • constructs an inviting introduction/opening and a satisfying conclusion; • selects effective transitions which clearly show how ideas connect among all elements (sentences and paragraphs); • employs well-controlled, purposeful pacing.

Language is limited, monotonous, and/or misused; only the most general kind of message is communicated. The writer does most or all of the following: • uses an extremely limited range of words; • relies upon words that do not fit the text; they may be imprecise, inadequate, or just plain wrong; • makes no attempt to use figurative language; uses general, vague words that fail to communicate.

Language is predictable, ordinary, and/or imprecise, and at times may not be appropriate for intended audience and/or purpose. The writer does most or all of the following: • uses words that are colorless, flat, or imprecise, e.g. fun, thing, a lot, nice; language may be repetitious or misused; • relies on predictable vocabulary; • uses little figurative language; images, if present, are fuzzy.

The variety of words employed is functional and appropriate to audience and purpose. The writer does most or all of the following: • mainly uses familiar words or phrases; may occasionally employ ordinary words in an unusual way; • attempts to use fresh, vivid expressions although they may be ineffective and/or cliched; • attempts to use figurative language which may occasionally seem overdone or ineffective.

Words convey the intended message in an interesting, precise, and natural way appropriate to audience and purpose. The writer does most or all of the following: • chooses specific, accurate language which seems natural; uses ordinary words in an unusual way; • chooses fresh, lively, vivid expressions; • includes the purposeful, effective selection of figurative language and/or slang.

Shows little or no control of standard writing conventions. Severity and frequency of errors are so overwhelming that the reader finds it difficult to focus on the message and must reread for meaning. Extensive editing is needed.

Shows limited control of standard writing conventions. Errors begin to impede readability. Significant editing is needed. The writer does most or all of the following: • makes end punctuation errors; internal punctuation contains frequent errors; • spelling errors distract the reader; • capitalizes inconsistently and often incorrectly; • runs paragraphs together or inserts paragraph breaks ineffectively; • makes errors in grammar and usage that interfere with readability and meaning.

Shows reasonable control of standard writing conventions. May be a few errors, but they do not impede readability. Some editing is needed.

Shows strong control of standard writing conventions and uses them effectively to enhance communication. Errors are so few and minor that the reader can easily skim right over them unless specifically searching for them. Little editing is needed.