Scoring	Guide	for	Technical	Writing
Criteria	1	2	3	4	Points
Standard English Conventions	Communication seriously hindered by errors in sentence structure, grammar and usage, and/or mechanics. Length and complexity of product do not reflect requirements of assignment. Little or no control of standard English conventions.	Communication hindered by errors in sentence structure, grammar and usage, or mechanics. Length and complexity of product somewhat inconsistent with requirements of assignment. Fair control of standard English conventions.	Communication generally clear with some errors in sentence structure, grammar and usage, or mechanics. Length and complexity of product are generally appropriate to assignment, Good control of standard English conventions.	Communication clear with no or very few errors in sentence structure, grammar and usage, or mechanics. Length and complexity of product are appropriate to assignment. Excellent control of standard English conventions.
Organization/Format Formal Devices (table, graphs, illustrations, etc.)	Little or no organization. Little or no thought given to format. Little or no support for details, with no thought given to formal devices.	Some evidence of organization. Format inconsistent. Minimal support for details or support is not easy to interpret, with little thought given to formal devices.	Material organized. Format basically clear. Details somewhat supported by explanation, evidence, examples and formal devices.	Materials highly organized and appropriate. Format clear. Details supported by explanation, evidence, examples and formal devices.
Content	Key question not identified, no sense of logical sequence. Supporting materials irrelevant. No sense of precision or connections to key questions.	Key question vague, sequence lacks logic. Material may be relevant but ideas unclear. Imprecise, with connections to key question unclear.	Key question identified, sequence mostly logical. Most material relevant and accurate, with minimal extraneous material. Some imprecision, with some connections to key questions unclear.	Key question explicit, sequence logical. Material clear, relevant, accurate, and concise. Precision, and connections to key question evident throughout.
Criteria	1	2	3	4	Points
Research and Interpretation of Data/Information	Data and information interpreted incorrectly. Little or no supporting research. Limited or no analysis and conclusion.	Some data and information interpreted correctly. Limited evidence of supporting research. Analysis and conclusion present but vague.	Most data and information interpreted correctly. Some ability to use primary and secondary sources as appropriate. Some evidence of research supporting analysis and conclusion.	Data and information interpreted correctly. Clear ability to use primary and secondary sources as appropriate. Research supports strong analysis and conclusion.
Voice/Tone & Vocabulary	Little use of appropriate vocabulary and terms, or awareness of intended audience. Use of subject-standard terminology inappropriate or not present. Audience lost or distracted by inappropriately informal or personal voice and tone.	Some vocabulary and terms are inappropriate to subject matter and intended audience. Use of subject-standard terminology limited. Audience may be distracted by inappropriately informal or personal voice and tone.	Vocabulary and terms generally appropriate to subject matter and intended audience. Some subject-standard terminology enhances product. Voice and tone generally consistent with topic and audience.	Vocabulary and terms specifically appropriate to subject matter and intended audience. Subject-standard terminology enhances quality of product. Voice and tone consistent with topic and audience.

Palmer Public Schools

Ann M. Kelley

1/12/2004

Scoring Sheet