Research Investigations

Writing Rubric for Letter Home

Element	Excellent(4)	Above Average (3)	Average (2)	Needs Improvement (1)
Ideas & Content (Develop-ment)	This paper is clear and focused. It holds the reader's attention. Relevant anecdotes and details enrich the central theme or storyline. The writer seems to be writing from knowledge or experience and shows insight: an understanding of life and a knack for picking out what is significant. Relevant, telling, quality details give the reader important information that goes beyond the obvious or predictable.	The writer is beginning to define the topic, even though development is still basic or general. The writer seems to be drawing on knowledge or experience, but has difficulty going from general observations to specifics. Ideas are reasonably clear, though they may not be detailed, personalized, or expanded enough to show in-depth understanding or a strong sense of purpose.	As yet, the paper has no clear sense of purpose or central theme. To extract meaning from the text, the reader must make inferences based on sketchy details. The writing reflects more than one of these problems. The information is very limited and unclear. The text may be repetitious, or may read like a collection of disconnected random thoughts.	The paper has no clear sense of purpose or central theme. It is impossible to get any meaning from the text.
Conven- tions	The writer demonstrates a good grasp of standard writing conventions (e.g. grammar, capitalization, punctuation, usage, spelling, paragraphing) and uses conventions effectively to enhance readability. Errors tend to be so few and so minor that the reader can easily overlook them unless hunting for them specifically.	The writer shows reasonable control over a limited range of standard writing conventions. Conventions are sometimes handled well and enhance readability; at other times, errors are distracting and impair readability.	Errors in spelling, punctuation, usage and grammar, capitalization, and/or paragraphing repeatedly distract the reader and make the text difficult to read. The writing reflects more than one of these problems.	Errors in spelling, punctuation, usage and grammar, capitalization, and/or paragraphing repeatedly make the text impossible to read. The writing reflects all of these problems.
Word Choice	Words are specific and accurate; it is easy to understand what the writer means. The language is natural and not overdone; phrasing is highly individual. Striking words and phrases are used to catch the attention of the reader.	Subject knowledge is evident in much of the product. Information is clear, appropriate, and correct.	Some subject knowledge is evident. Some information is confusing, incorrect or flawed.	Subject knowledge is not evident. Information is confusing, incorrect or flawed.
Connection to Research	The writer includes and connects researched information about the country to subject matter of letter in a manner that flows naturally from the purpose of the letter. These should include connections to events that are taking place in the country you have chosen, to what is happening in your everyday life while in that country. A minimum of five connections to research are made during the course of the letter. In addition, information is researched regarding one current event that is taking place in your chosen country and how that event is impacting your life in that country.	The writer includes and connects researched information about the country to subject matter of letter. However, the connection to research does not flow with the subject and purpose of the letter These should include connections to events that are taking place in the country you have chosen, to what is happening in your everyday life while in that country. A minimum of five connections to research are made during the course of the letter. An attempt has been made to connect a current event in that country and show its effect on you, but it does not flow with the purpose of the letter and seems like an add-on.	The writer includes researched information about the country to subject matter of letter. However, the connection to research does not flow with the subject and purpose of the letter. Only three connections to research have been attempted during the course of the letter. The attempt to connect your life in that country to a current event that is taking place is extremely vague or unclear in its purpose and did not flow with the purpose of the letter.	The writer includes researched information about the country to subject matter of letter. However, the connection to research does not flow with the subject and purpose of the letter. Minimal attempt at a connection to research is displayed during the course of the letter. In addition no attempt at including a current event was included in the letter.
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