Criteria

5

4

3

2

1

A

Topic  and Closing Sentence

topic and closing sentences are clear, logical, and correctly placed

topic and/or closing sentences have minor problems with clarity/ logic/ correct placement

topic and/or closing sentences have moderate to major problems with clarity/ logic/ correct placement

topic or closing sentence is missing from the paragraph

topic and closing sentences

are missing from the paragraph

B

Body -

Supporting

Details

paragraph has an abundance of convincing supporting details that relate back to the topic sentence

paragraph generally has strong supporting details that relate back to the topic sentence

paragraph has  adequate

supporting details that relate back to the topic sentence

paragraph has very few logical supporting details that relate back to the topic sentence

paragraph has no logical supporting details that relate back to the topic sentence

C

Mechanics

and Grammar

paragraph has no errors in grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

paragraph has no more than a few minor errors in grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

paragraph has several minor grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling errors

paragraph has moderate grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling errors

paragraph has major grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling errors

Criteria

3

2

D

Style

paragraph uses strong, colorful words and descriptions and  is purposeful, clear, sincere, and entertaining

paragraph uses strong, colorful words and descriptions at times and is purposeful, clear and sincere