Beginning

0-1 point(s)

Developing

2 points

Accomplished

3 points

Exemplary

4 points

  Focused topic

 The topic rambles and does not pinpoint one particular opinion.

Briefly mentions an opinion but gives few details.

Describes the topic and gives several reasons for supporting it.

Clearly defines the topic and gives several examples to support it.

Gives information from several websites.

Does not use any of the information in the websites to support opinion.

Uses only one site to support opinion.

Uses several sites to support opinion.

Uses (and documents accurately) several sites to support opinion.

Well organized

 Composition lacks topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph and does not have a logical sequence.

Composition has one-two topic sentence(s) and its sequence is confusing.

Composition includes some topic sentences and is sequential.

Composition contains clearly stated topic sentences and follows a logical sequence.

Correct spelling and grammar

Frequent grammar and spelling errors that detract from the composition's message.

Frequent grammar and spelling errors that do not detract from the composition's message.

Several grammar and spelling errors.

Grammar and spelling are correct.