Rubric For Editorial - Commentary Essay

DISTINGUISHED (4)

PROFICIENT (3)

APPRENTICE (2)

NOVICE (1)

Voice

Engages reader’s interest in a lively fashion. Writer’s voice is forceful.

Writing attracts reader’s interest. Writer’s voice indicates engagement with the issue.

Opening writing is correct, if pedestrian, not particularly attracting interest. Voice is weak.

Writing does not engage reader. Has no sense of writer’s interest or commitment to the position taken. No voice evident.

Context

Provides appropriate context in an efficient manner.

Provides enough context to assist the reader.

Confusing or weak context provided.

Little or no context provided.

Position

Formulates a position on the issue in a clearly stated and thought-provoking thesis.

States a position on the issue in a clear manner.

Stated position on the issue is somewhat vague or indefinite.

Position is unclear, absent, or contradictory to the claims made.

Supports

Offers specific reasons and/or evidence for the position that conveys writer’s own understanding and/or insight.

Provides adequate, though slightly vague, reasons and/or evidence for the position that suggests understanding of the issue.

Provides less than adequate or contradictory reasons or evidence for the position.

Offers only the most general reasons or evidence or none for the position. Or offers evidence and reasons contradictory to the thesis.

Tone

Makes claims about meaning in a convincing manner that may lend more credence than correctness to the argument. Uses appropriate tone to maintain credence.

Makes claims about meaning that are mostly convincing, if somewhat weak, because of less skilled use of language and/or tone.

Makes few or weak claims resulting from: the general nature of the claims, inadequate writing, failure to develop argument, or weak control of tone undermining credence.

Makes few and weak claims that are inadequately written, undeveloped, and/or presented in a tone that undermines the writer’s credibility.

Conventions

Command of conventions exhibited.

Correct use of conventions and grammar, for the most part, exhibited.

Weak control of conventions and grammar is distracting.

Conventions and grammar impede understanding.

Format

Format is appropriate for an editorial or commentary.

Format is appropriate for the genre.

Format may be appropriate but is executed carelessly.

Format may be inappropriate or executed carelessly.