This document outlines a rubric for evaluating writing skills across several categories on a scale of 1 to 5. The categories include finding and using evidence to support a viewpoint, accurately citing quotes, using MLA formatting, developing a thesis statement, providing supporting arguments, locating relevant factual information from multiple sources, and comparing and contrasting multiple accounts of a topic while using evidence. For each category, it describes the skills demonstrated at each level on the scale.

1. I Can… 1 (50) 2 (70) 3 (85) 3.5 (93) 4 (100)
Find evidence
that supports a
viewpoint
I cannot correctly
identify and use a
quote that relates to
my opinion. I may not
use a quote from the
text or may use
a quote that doesn’t
relate.
I can correctly identify
and use a quote that
relates to my opinion.
This evidence relates
to my claim but may
not support it.
I can correctly identify
and use a quote that
relates to my opinion.
This evidence supports
my claim, but may not
be the most relevant
evidence available.
I can correctly identify
and use a quote from
the text to support my
opinion. This evidence
is relevant and
supports my claim.
I can correctly identify
and use a quote from
the text to support my
opinion. This evidence
is relevant and gives
evidence that truly
supports my claim.
Accurately cite a
quote in my writing
I may not format my
quote at all or may not
use a quote in my
writing.
I can use correct
quotation marks when
using a quote, but may
simply put the quote in
my writing.
I can incorporate a
quote in my writing
using correct quotation
marks. I attempt to
integrate the quote.
I can incorporate a
quote in my writing,
using correct quotation
marks and commas. I
am able to integrate
the quote in my
writing.
I can incorporate a
quote in my writing,
using correct quotation
marks and commas. I
integrate the quote so
that my writing flows
smoothly and supports
my main point.
Correctly use and
format my writing
according to MLA
guidelines (W.4)
I cannot format a
paper, paragraph, or
sentence using MLA
formatting.
I am able to format a
paper, paragraph, and
sentence wit in-text
citation using some of
the MLA guidelines,
though my paper may
have bigger errors in
formatting.
I can correctly format a
paper, paragraph, and
sentence with in-text
citation, though there
may be a few bigger
errors in formatting.
I can correctly format a
paper, paragraph, and
sentence with in-text
citation with minor
errors.
I can correctly format a
paper, paragraph, and
sentence with in-text
citation without
mistakes.
Develop a thesis
statement or main
idea sentence
I do not have a thesis
or main idea sentence
in my writing
I attempt to develop a
thesis statement or
main idea in my
writing, though it may
be too vague or not
relevant to my writing.
I can develop a thesis
statement or main idea
in my writing, though
it may be vague or too
broad.
I can develop a thesis
statement or main idea
sentence that explains
the purpose of my
writing, as well as
mention the
supporting argument I
will present.
I can develop a thesis
statement or main idea
sentence that clearly
explains the purpose of
my writing, as well as
the supporting
argument I will
present.
Provide valid
supporting
arguments for a
thesis statement or
main idea sentence
(W.1a, W.1b, RI.1)
I cannot give
supporting arguments,
or give arguments that
do not relate to my
thesis statement or
main idea.
I explain multiple
arguments that
support my thesis or
main idea sentence
and attempt to provide
evidence as to why
these arguments are
valid.
I explain multiple
arguments that
support my thesis or
main idea sentence
and provide some
evidence as to why
these arguments are
valid and back me up.
I can clearly explain
multiple arguments
that support my thesis
or main idea sentence
and provide evidence
as to why these
arguments are valid
and back me up.
I can clearly and briefly
explain multiple
arguments that
support my thesis or
main idea sentence
and provide evidence
as to why these
arguments are valid

2. and back me up.
Locate relevant
factual information
from a variety of
sources (RI.8, W.7,
W.8, W.9)
I do not include any
supporting facts or
arguments in my
writing.
I can locate some
relevant facts and
information from more
than one source that
supports my opinion
and use them in my
writing. My evidence
is somewhat relevant.
I can locate relevant
facts and information
from more than one
source that supports
my opinion and use
them in my writing.
My evidence is mostly
relevant and effective.
I can locate relevant
facts and information
from a variety of
sources that support
my opinion and use
them in my writing. All
my evidence is
relevant and effective.
I can locate relevant
facts and information
from a variety of
sources that support
my opinion and use
them in my writing to
support my opinion.
All of my evidence is
relevant and effective.
Compare and
contrast multiple
accounts of a topic
or event (RI.7)
I cannot explain the
similarities and
differences between
two or more
accounts of the same
topic or cannot use
evidence to support
my analysis of the
texts.
I can explain the
similarities and
differences between
two or more
accounts of the same
topic. I attempt to
use evidence from
the texts to support
my analysis.
I can explain the
similarities an
differences between
two or more
accounts of the same
topic. I use some
evidence from the
texts to support my
analysis.
I can elaborate on
the similarities and
differences between
two or more
accounts of a topic
and use evidence
from the texts to
support my analysis.
I can elaborate on
the similarities and
differences between
two or more
accounts of a topic
and use evidence
from the texts to
support my analysis.
My analysis is
thorough and well-supported
with
evidence.