The document provides guidance on scoring rubrics for writing assignments, focusing on six categories: organization, focus, development, complete sentences, vocabulary, and mechanics/spelling. Each category is scored on a scale of 1 to 4, with descriptions provided for levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 in terms of effectiveness and quality. The document encourages combining strong performance across all six categories to achieve an overall score of 4, or an "excellent" paper.

1. How to Score a Four! You can write an excellent paper to a prompt by focusing on six things!

3. 1. Organization 4,3,2,1 Topic Sentence Details Conclusion Sentence May lack evidence of a beginning, middle, or end. Has evidence of a beginning, middle, and end. Has a beginning, middle, and end. Has an effective beginning, middle, and end. 1 2 3 4

4. 2. Focus 4,3,2,1 Is difficult to follow and or lacks focus. Contains a general sense of direction, but may lack in focus. Contains a controlling idea. Contains a clear and controlling idea that is fully developed. 1 2 3 4

6. 4. Complete Sentences Each sentences needs to end with one of the following… . ! ? Includes incomplete sentences which are distracting to the reader. Contains some incomplete sentences which may be distracting to the reader. Generally uses complete sentences. Consistently uses complete sentences. 1 2 3 4

7. 5. Vocabulary Juicy Words! Words are consistently repetitive, dull, and colorless. Words tend to be repetitive, imprecise, and ordinary. Contains some words that are specific, accurate, and related to the topic. Contains words that are specific, accurate, and suited to the topic. 1 2 3 4

8. 6. Mechanics and Spelling Edit! Contains repeated errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling that may be distracting to the reader. Contains errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling which may be distracting to the reader. . May contain some errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling which are not significantly distracting to the reader. Contains few errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling. 1 2 3 4

10. Now let’s put it all together! Contains repeated errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling that may be distracting to the reader. Contains errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling which may be distracting to the reader. May contain some errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling which are not significantly distracting to the reader. Contains few errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling. Mechanics and Spelling Words are consistently repetitive, dull, and colorless. Words tend to be repetitive, imprecise, and ordinary. Contains some words that are specific, accurate, and related to the topic. Contains words that are specific, accurate, and suited to the topic. Vocabulary Includes incomplete sentences which are distracting to the reader. Contains some incomplete sentences which may be distracting to the reader. Generally uses complete sentences. Consistently uses complete sentences. Complete Sentences Attempts to address the topic, but lacks development Generally addresses the topic, but may contain some details that are not relevant. Addresses the topic and uses relevant details and examples. Clearly addresses the topic and provides specific and relevant details. Development Is difficult to follow and or lacks focus. Contains a general sense of direction, but may lack in focus. Contains a controlling idea. Contains a clear and controlling idea that is fully developed. Focus May lack evidence of a beginning, middle, or end. Has evidence of a beginning, middle, and end. Has a beginning, middle, and end. Has an effective beginning, middle, and end. Organization 1 2 3 4

12. Brain Pictures: . ! ?