1. PURPOSE/FOCUS/ORGANIZATION
English III Aug. 22nd
Materials needed:
journals
sheet of paper
something to write with
In your journals, copy down the following information about the rubric you will be using when we get to writing your VLT essay in two weeks (remember, journal information will be on the final exam!)
PURPOSE/FOCUS/ORGANIZATION
In your own words, what do these terms mean when it comes to writing? (1-2 sentences)
EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD ENGLISH (GRAMMAR)
In your own words, what does this mean? (1-2 sentences)

2. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION- WORTH 4 POINTS TOTAL
English III
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION- WORTH 4 POINTS TOTAL
For a top score of 4
What the rubric says:
Clearly stated and strongly maintained claim with little or no
loosely related material
Clearly addressed alternate or opposing claims*
Skillful use of a variety of transitional strategies to clarify the
relationships between and among ideas
Logical progression of ideas from beginning to end with a
satisfying introduction and conclusion
Established and maintained appropriate style and objective
tone

3. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English III
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a top score of 4
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
The words and sentences make sense
There are transitions (such as, therefore, firstly, lastly, etc…)
The paragraphs follow a sequence that make sense
The tone (attitude) is even and appropriate

4. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English III
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a pretty good score of 3
What the rubric says:
Clear and maintained claim, though some loosely related
material may be present
Alternate or opposing claims included but may not be
completely addressed*
Adequate use of transitional strategies with some variety to
clarify the relationships between and among ideas
Adequate progression of ideas from beginning to end with a
sufficient introduction and conclusion
Appropriate style and objective tone established

5. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English III
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a pretty good score of 3
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
Claim makes sense, some stuff may be off topic
Opposing arguments are there, but not much
Some transitions are used
Sequence of events at least follows beginning, middle, and end
Tone is appropriate

6. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English III
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a fair score of 2
What the rubric says:
Focused on a claim but insufficiently sustained or unclear
May not sufficiently address alternate or opposing claims*
Inconsistent use of transitional strategies with little variety
Uneven progression of ideas from beginning to end with an
inadequate introduction or conclusion

7. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English I
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a fair score of 2
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
Claim is there but it’s unclear
Opposing claims are not really addressed
Transitions are only used sometimes
Sequence of events is there but doesn’t follow a beginning, middle, and end

8. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English I
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a low score of 1
What the rubric says:
Absent, confusing, or ambiguous claim
Missing alternate or opposing claims*
Few or no transitional strategies
Frequent extraneous ideas impeding understanding
Too brief to demonstrate knowledge of focus or organization

9. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English I Thursday Aug. 27th
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a low score of 1
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
claim doesn’t make sense
Opposing claim is not there
Few, if any, transitions
A lot of off topic stuff
Not enough writing to get the point of the argument

10. PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
English III
PURPOSE/ FOCUS/ ORGANIZATION-
For a score of 0…

11. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION- WORTH 4 POINTS TOTAL
English III
EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION- WORTH 4 POINTS TOTAL
For a top score of 4
What the rubric says:
Smoothly integrated, thorough, and relevant
evidence, including precise references to sources
Effective use of a variety of elaborative
techniques to support the claim, demonstrating
an understanding of the topic and text
Clear and effective expression of ideas, using
precise language
Academic and domain-specific vocabulary clearly
appropriate for the audience and purpose
Various sentence structures creating language
facility

12. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
English III
EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a top score of 4
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
Evidence has to do with your paper
Evidence is precise
Evidence uses words that have to do with your paper
There is a variety of evidence, not just one type

13. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
English I
EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a pretty good score of 3
What the rubric says:
Generally integrated and relevant evidence from
sources, though references may be general or
imprecise
Adequate use of some elaborative techniques
Adequate expression of ideas, employing a mix of
precise and general language
Domain-specific vocabulary generally appropriate
for the audience and purpose
Some variation in sentence structure

14. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a pretty good score of 3
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
Evidence generally has to do with your paper
Evidence mostly explains the topic
Evidence is kind of clear
Evidence kind of has to do with the topic
There is some variety of evidence

15. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a fair score of 2
What the rubric says:
Evidence is all over the place
Repetitive or ineffective use of elaborative
techniques
Imprecise or simplistic expression of ideas
Some use of inappropriate domain-specific
vocabulary
Most sentences limited to simple constructions

16. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a fair score of 2
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
Weakly integrated evidence from sources and
erratic or irrelevant references
Evidence isn’t really on topic
The point of the evidence isn’t always clear
Much of the evidence has little to do with the topic
The words used are short and simple

17. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a low score of 1
What the rubric says:
Minimal, absent, erroneous, or irrelevant
evidence from the source material
Expression of ideas that is vague, unclear, or
confusing
Limited and often inappropriate language or
domain-specific vocabulary
Sentences limited to simple constructions

18. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a low score of 1
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
Evidence has nothing to do with the topic
Evidence makes no sense
The sentences are simple

19. EVIDENCE AND ELABORATION
For a score of 0…

20. CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD ENGLISH (GRAMMAR)- WORTH
2 POINTS TOTAL
For a top score of 2
What the rubric says:
Some minor errors in usage but no
patterns of errors
Adequate use of punctuation,
capitalization, sentence formation,
and spelling

21. CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD ENGLISH (GRAMMAR)
For a top score of 2
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
There are a few mistakes, but not many
Punctuation ,capitalization, sentence formation, and spelling are mostly in order

22. CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD ENGLISH (GRAMMAR)
English I
CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD ENGLISH (GRAMMAR)
For a low score of 1
What the rubric says:
Various errors in usage
Inconsistent use of correct punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation, and spelling

23. CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD ENGLISH (GRAMMAR)
For a low score of 1
What the rubric really means (copy this down):
There are a lot of mistakes
punctuation, capitalization, sentence formation, and spelling are all messed up

24. CONVENTIONS OF STANDARD ENGLISH (GRAMMAR)
For a score of 0…
… it’s from The Princess Bride, you may not get this one

25. So, now let’s get out a sheet of paper and take a little quiz
Don’t worry, it’s open notes
Just write the answers on your paper, not the questions
…I hope you were writing 

26. 1. What are the three categories of the rubric?
2. How many points is the 1st category worth?
3. How many points is the 2nd category worth?
4. How many points is the 3rd category worth?
5. If you received a total of 8 points on your essay, what grade would that be?
6. Tell me one thing about what earns a top score for the 1st category
7. Tell me one thing about what earns a top score for the 2nd category.
8. Tell me one thing that earns a top score for the 3rd category.