Qualities & Criteria

Low

Middle

High

Point Value

0 to 1

2 to 3

4 to 5

Writing Skills:  The student's work reflects the ability to:

Effectively transmit written data to others by addressing the following areas:

1. Content Development

·    Problem statement is identified

·    Key elements are established

·    Major points are clearly stated

Little to no evidence of content development. Problem statement is not identified. No statements of major points or key elements.

Areas of content development are provided but context and purpose of writing is unclear.

Problem statement is appropriately identified. Engages the reader with a clear overview of issues to be discussed in a clear and concise manner.

2. Organization

·    Content is comprehensive, accurate, and substantive

·    Paragraphs and ideas transition logically

·    Sentence and paragraph structure is clear and concise.

·    Relevant literature is integrated throughout paper

·    Conclusion reviews major points

Lack of evidence relating to organization of thought. Structure of paper is disconnected with no logical flow of ideas. Little to no use of relevant literature to topic. No concluding paragraph.

Content is organized but lacks some clarity and accuracy. Flow of paper is basic but some disconnect between ideas. Minimal use of relevant literature. Conclusion lacks ability to draw together major points of paper.

Material is well organized, comprehensive, accurate, and substantive. Logical order to ideas and natural transition of paragraphs. Strong conclusion to paper.

3. Format

·    APA style utilized throughout paper

·    Correct use of references and in-text citations

·    Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation

Poor to no use of correct APA format. Improper use of in-text citation and reference page. Many errors in spelling, grammar and improper punctuation. Writing is difficult to understand due to grammatical errors.

Inconsistent use of proper APA format. Minimal errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Some errors  in sentence structure and paragraphing.

Consistent use of proper use of APA format. Few, if any, errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraphing.

Use the work of others appropriately through utilization of:

·    High quality resources, including current practice guidelines, if appropriate.

·    Diverse resources, including current research-based journal articles.

·    Primary resources for the majority of citations.

·    Paraphrasing for the majority of resources.

Minimal to no use of quality resources. Frequent use of quotes. Lack of or incorrect formatting of reference page and in-text citations.  Insufficient number of references.

Evidence of some use of quality resources. Adequate paraphrasing but some quote usage. Inconsistent citing of appropriate sources.

Quality, diverse resources used as primary sources of information. The in-text citations match the reference page and are properly formatted. Paraphrasing used for majority of resources

Computer/Technology Skills: The student's work reflects the ability to:

Utilize a word processing program for written work.

Inability to provide a paper written in a word processing program or one with multiple formatting errors.

Ability to provide paper in a word processing program. Some formatting errors.

Paper is professionally presented in a word processing format with minimal to no errors.

Access/use information retrieval data bases/internet sites by:

·    Evaluating the quality of resources.

·    Integrating resources references             into written work.

No evidence of correctly accessing internet/database sites for retrieving information related to paper topic. Site addresses unavailable for confirmation

Evidence of accessing internet/database information but resources is poor to average in quality. Some formatting errors for in-text and reference page citations of sites.

Advanced skill in accessing quality internet/database sites. Resources are utilized in written work in correct format.