1. A Guide to Better Writing (and a better grade)
Cerc Writing
A Guide to Better Writing
(and a better grade)

2. Color key Claim – Purple Evidence – Blue Reasoning – Green
Transitions - Red
Reasoning – Green
Conclusion – Purple

3. Claim Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Introduction is memorable
Writers position is clearly stated
Level 3
Introduction could do more to grab readers attention
The claim states a position on an issue
Level 2
The introduction is ordinary
Claim identifies issue, position not clearly stated
Level 1
There is no claim

4. Evidence & Reasoning Level 4
Logical reasons and relevant evidence convincingly support claim
The reasons and evidence are organized logically and consistently throughout the writing
Evidence is taken directly from the text and quoted correctly
Transitions logically connect reasons and evidence to the claim

5. Evidence & Reasoning Level 3
Most evidence and reasoning support claim, but they could be more convincing
The organization of reasons and evidence is confusing in a few places
The evidence is taken directly from class lectures
A few more transitions are needed to connect reasons and evidence to the writers claim

6. Evidence & Reasoning Level 2
The reasons and evidence are not always logical or relevant
The organization of reasons is logical in some places, but it often doesn’t follow a pattern
The evidence is not taken directly from classroom lectures
Many more transitions are needed to connect reasons to the claim

7. Evidence & Reasoning Level 1
The evidence and reasoning are missing
A logical organization is not used, reasons and evidence are presented randomly
Transitions are not used, making the writing difficult to understand

8. Conclusion Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
The conclusion restates the claim in a different way and effectively summarizes the evidence
Level 3
The conclusion restates the claim in a different way or summarizes the evidence
Level 2
The conclusion restates the claim using the same words and includes an incomplete summary of the evidence
Level 1
There is no conclusion

9. Conventions Level 4 The writing reflects formal style
Sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures vary and have a rhythmic flow
Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are correct
Grammar and usage are correct

10. Conventions Level 3 The style becomes informal in a few places
Sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures vary somewhat
Several capitalization and punctuation errors occur
Some grammatical and usage errors are repeated

11. Conventions Level 2 The style becomes informal in many places
Sentence structures barely vary, and some fragments or run-on sentences are present
Several spelling and capitalization errors are present, and punctuation is inconsistent
Grammar and usage are incorrect in many places

12. Conventions Level 1 The style is not correct for the type of writing
Repetitive sentence structure, fragments, and run-on sentences make the writing hard to follow
Spelling and capitalization are often incorrect, and punctuation is missing
Many grammatical and usage errors change the meaning of ideas