iRubric: Research Paper-Beginner Level rubric

The writing is purposefully clear and focused. It holds the reader's attention. Main ideas are supported by AMPLE and RELEVANT details suitable to the audience and purpose.

The writing is mostly focused and the reader can understand the main idea. Support is evident but it may be too GENERAL to maintain a persuasive focus.

Ideas are somewhat unclear or the attempted development is too minimal, too simple, too irrelevant or incomplete

The ideas are unclear, inconsistent, and/or lack a central theme or purpose.

The writer has chosen a "voice" appropriate for the topic, the purpose, and audience. There is an EXEMPLARY level of committment of "writing to be read." This writer owns the paper.

The writer's voice seems committed at times and there is a sense the writer wanted to be read, but this is not evident in every paragraph. There is parital ownership.

The writer's voice may emerge at times, but the committment to the topic seems inconsistent and there is little sense of "writing to be read."

The writer's voice provides little, if any, sense of involvement or committment, and there is no sense of writing to be read.

The writing demonstrates STRONG control of standard writing conventions and uses them to effectively enhance communication. Errors are so few and minor, the reader can skim over them unless specifically searching for them. LITTLE editing is needed.

The writing demonstrates REASONABLE control of standard writing conventions. There may be a few errors, but they do not impede readability. SOME editing is needed.

The writing demonstrates LIMITED control of standard writing conventions. Errors begin to impede upon readability. SIGNIFICANT editing is needed.

The writing demonstrates little or no control of standard writing conventions. The severity and frequency of errors are so overwhelming that the reader finds it hard to focus on the message. The reader is constantly forced to reread for meaning. EXTENSIVE editing is needed.