Effective Communication Rubric

Summary
Restates in student’s own words main details of a text without opinions

Has no major supporting details, plagiarizes, includes opinions

Has some major supporting ideas, excessive phrasing from original, no opinions

Has most major supporting ideas, some phrasing from original, no opinions

Has all major supporting ideas entirely in the student’s own words, no opinions

Paraphrase:
the restatement of a text passage in students’ own words without opinions

Does not show understanding of text, is plagiarized, leaves out most of original content, contains  opinion, does not convey original meaning

Shows partial understanding of text, includes mostly synonyms for original words, includes most of the original content, contains opinion, does not convey original meaning

Is written almost entirely in the writer’s own words, includes most of the original content of text, contains opinion, does not convey original meaning

Shows clear understanding of text, is written entirely in the writer’s own words, includes all the original content, does not contain opinion, conveys meaning of original

Annotation:
Detailed notes on a text

Is written only in full sentences, combines main and supporting ideas completely copied from the original, unknown words are not defined

Is written only in full sentences, delineates few main from supporting ideas, does not include student’s thoughts and connections to outside material, uses considerable phrasing from the original, unknown words are not defined

Mixes notes and full sentences, delineates some main ideas from supporting ideas, does not include student’s thoughts and connections to outside material, uses some phrasing from the original, some unknown words are not defined

is written in short notes, delineates all main ideas from supporting ideas, includes most of the content of the original, contains no opinion, conveys meaning of original, unknown words are defined

Outline:
Restates in students’ own words the main and supporting details of text

does not cover main ideas of original text, is written in phrases and sentences, does not distinguish main from supporting ideas, is paraphrased from original

covers all main ideas of original text, is written in phrases and sentences, somewhat distinguishes main from supporting ideas, is paraphrased from original

covers most main ideas of original text, is written mostly in phrases, mostly distinguishes main from supporting ideas, is paraphrased from original

covers all main ideas of original text, is written in phrases, completely distinguishes main from supporting ideas, is written in student’s own words

Task:
Addresses the assigned topic

Addresses the topic in a very general nature or not at all

Addresses the topic with limited specificity

Addresses the topic in a specific, individual manner

Addresses the topic creatively with unique individual insights

Central Idea:
Expresses a central idea or thesis

Implies a central idea or thesis through its content or not at all

States in its introduction a central idea or thesis drawn directly from the language of the assignment

States in its introduction a central idea or thesis that explores a logical relationship among parts of the assigned topic

States in its introduction a sophisticated and well-reasoned central idea or thesis that clearly establishes an order for ideas in the body of support

Focus:
Develops a sustained focus on the central idea

Some or none of the parts develop the central idea

Most parts develop the central idea

All parts strengthen the focus of the central idea

All parts deepen the focus of the central idea

Organization: Logically organizes supportive ideas around the thesis

Some or none supporting ideas relate to the central idea or thesis

Most supporting ideas relate to the central idea or thesis

All supporting ideas relate to the central idea or thesis

All supporting ideas relate to and develop the central idea or thesis

Correctness:
Uses correct diction, syntax, usage, grammar and mechanics

Documents sources of information using the accepted form

Many errors in expression

Some or no sources are documented

Few errors in expression

Some sources documented in accepted form

No errors in expression

Most sources documented in accepted form

Exceptional use of diction, syntax, usage, grammar and mechanics in a polished style

All sources documented in accepted form