Science Writing Rubric

Below is a general science writing rubric that I have used for the last few years. I usually modify this for specific assignments, but this is the one that the students get a copy of their first day of school along with the other general information for my class. I could not get the table to copy into this blogformat, so I redid it in list format.

7th and 8th Grade Science Writing Rubric
4 = Advanced Meets “3” criteria plus:
3 = Proficient
2 = Part. Prof.
1 = Unsatisfactory

Content and Organization
4 = Advanced Meets “3” criteria plus:
*Intro is a summary
*Body covers topic above and beyond expectations with enriching details
*Conclusion summarizes content
*More references are supplied than required.
3 = Proficient
*Meets assignment requirements for content, format & references
*Stays focused
*Content is organized and easy for the reader to follow & understand
2 = Part. Prof.
*Meets some requirements for content and format
*Some info is not relevant
Info is sometimes hard to understand
*Connections are not always clear
1 = Unsatisfactory
*Meets few requirements
*Ideas not supported and/or are not connected
*Confusing

Style and Fluency
4 = Advanced Meets “3” criteria plus:
*Written in third person
*Uses some advanced scientific vocabulary
*Uses consistent style
*Is very interesting and engaging to reader
3 = Proficient
*Uses appropriate science terminology
*Communicates clearly
*Reads smoothly
*Statements are supported with data when possible
2 = Part. Prof.
*Sentences may be repetitive or choppy or have abrupt shifts
*Word choice is general, bland, or not scientific
*Statements are not supported with data
1 = Unsatisfactory
*Sentences may ramble or contain incomplete ideas
*Uses vague language
*Word choice is poor and/or not scientific

Conventions
4 = Advanced Meets “3” criteria plus:
No spelling or punctuation errors
3 = Proficient
Very few spelling errors and /or punctuation errors (1 to 3)
2 = Part. Prof.
Several spelling and/orpunctuation errors (more than 3)
1 = Unsatisfactory
So many spelling and/or punctuation errors that writing is hard to read

Neatness
4 = Advanced Meets “3” criteria plus:
and Typed; and writer went above and beyond the assignment expectations.
3 = Proficient
Neat, evident that the writer took adequate time to complete
2 = Part. Prof.
Sometimes hard to read.
1 = Unsatisfactory
Very hard to read

Subtotals
Total = ______ /4 =

PLEASE NOTE – PLAGERIZED CONTENT IS AN AUTOMATIC "0"