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Editorial Rubric, By Leslie Bruce

SLO

Absent or Below Basic

Audience's needs are often
not recognized: terms and
ideas need explanation and
language needs adjustment
for the audience. Purpose
(to argue a position
Write for a specific
audience and purpose. persuasively) isn't clear or
achieved.

Developing
Shows some attention to
audience's needs, sometimes
defining necessary terms and
ideas and using audienceappropriate language.
Purpose (to argue a position
persuasively) may be unclear
at times, and it may not be
achieved convincingly.

Proficient
Usually shows attention to
audience's needs, defining
necessary terms and ideas and
using audience-appropriate
language. Purpose (to argue a
position persuasively) may be
implied, but it's clear and
achieved.

Omits or uses incorrectly

MLA- or APA-style
parenthetical citations,
quotation marks, and works
Find, evaluate, select, cited list. Drops quotations
synthesize, organize, and ideas into text without
ethically cite, and
introducing source.
present information
Frequently uses irrelevant or
from a variety of
unpersuasive sources or
sources appropriate to relies exclusively on one
their disciplines.
source.

A few errors in MLA- or APAstyle parenthetical citations,

quotation marks, and works
cited list. Often includes
sources without introduction
in cases when introduction is
necessary. Sometimes relies
too heavily on a single source
or uses irrelevant or
unpersuasive sources.

Correctly uses MLA- or APA-style Correctly uses MLA- or APA-style

parenthetical citations, quotation parenthetical citations,
marks, and works cited list.
quotation marks, and works
Usually introduces each source cited list. Introduces each source
fully (as necessary)reader
fully (as necessary)reader
knows who did the research or knows who did the research or
Citations appear to follow
communicating, for whom, and communicating, for whom, and
the correct format.
why. Use of sources is usually why. Use of sources is always
However, most if not all
diverse, relevant and persuasive. diverse, relevant and persuasive.
seem to be one-sided

Fails to support claims

with relevant reasoning
Compare, contrast, and and/or specific evidence.
synthesize carefully and
Objectivity and a
objectively the relative
controlling idea may be
merits of alternative or
lacking.
opposing arguments,

Attempts to support claims

with reasoning and
evidence, but specificity
and/or objectivity may be
lacking. A controlling idea
may be missing or implied.

Usually supports the

Supports the controlling idea
controlling idea and paragraph and paragraph claims with
claims with relevant,
relevant, thorough, and
thorough, and insightful
insightful reasoning and
reasoning and specific
specific evidence. Maintains
evidence. Usually maintains objectivity.
objectivity.

assumptions, and
cultural values.

Advanced
Shows sophisticated attention to
audience's needs, defining
necessary terms and ideas and The essay is easy to
understand for the a
using audience-appropriate
language. Purpose (to argue a general audience. Terms
are well defined ideas are
position persuasively) is clear
presented In an orderly
and achieved with style.
manner. The argument
could be stronger if it were
thoroughly explained in the
first paragraph.

The argument is well

supported but counter
arguments are not clearly
presented.

Organizational devices
Organizational devices
(controlling idea, headings, (controlling idea, headings,
subheadings, topic
subheadings, topic
sentences, transitions)
sentences, transitions) fit
Organize ones
thoughts and
may be absent, unrelated the prompt, but may be
communicate them
to the prompt, or illogically vague, too broad, or
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clearly and persuasively connected. Ps contain
inconsistenly or illogically
to address a rhetorical multiple topics or are
linked. Ps may not be
situation.
disorganized.
unified.

Clear organizational devices Clear, specific organizational

(controlling idea, headings,
devices (thesis, topic
subheadings, topic sentences, sentences, headings,
transitions) fit the prompt and transitions) fit the prompt and Paragraphs provide
tie ideas and topics together tie ideas and topics together supporting material and are
unique from one another.
adequately. Ps are usually
logically and seamlessly.
Transitions from one
unified.
Paragraphs are unified.

Spelling, syntax, diction, or Spelling, syntax, diction, or

punctuation errors impede punctuation errors often
readability. Lanuage may impede readability or
Recognize, evaluate,
reflect a gender or cultural otherwise distract from
and employ the
meaning. Lanuage may
features and contexts bias. Design may be
occasionally suggest a
of language and design unconventional and
ineffective.
gender or cultural bias.
that express and
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influence meaning and
Design may be
that demonstrate
inconventional or
sensitivity to gender
ineffective.

Spelling, syntax, diction, or

punctuation errors are few
and do not distract from
meaning. Lanuage respects
gender and cultural
differences. Design is
conventional and effective.

and cultural
differences.

paragraph to the next could

be improved.

Outstanding control of
language, including effective
diction and sentence variety.
Lanuage respects gender and
cultural differences. Design is
conventional and effective. The essay is well writen

overall. Graphics could be

used to illustrate some
ideas and enhance the
desing of the editorial