Reading Response Rubric

Reading Response Rubric

	Proficient	Partially Proficient	Unsatisfactory
Topic Sentence	Includes a topic sentence with ALL of the following: -          title of the text -          author’s name	Includes one of the following: -          title of text -          author’s name	Does not mention the title or author of text.
Thesis	Thesis statement clearly addresses the weekly prompt.	Parts of thesis address prompt but is either confusing or strays too far off topic.	Does not address the prompt.
Text Evidence/ Support for Thesis	Includes at least two examples from the text with at least one direct quote that adequately addresses and supports the thesis.	Includes two examples from text but no direct quote. Includes examples from text but do not adequately support the thesis.	Example from the text does not support the thesis. No evidence.
Sentence Variety	Frequently attempts to use a variety of sentences (simple, compound, complex). Experiments starting sentences in a variety of ways. Incorporates appositives and prepositional phrases.	Mostly uses simple sentences, but attempts to incorporate compound and complex sentences.	Uses nearly all simple sentences. Does not experiment with different types of sentences
Word Choice (academic language)	Frequently uses academic language (i.e. strong transitions, vocabulary words, etc.) Establishes an academic tone through language usage. Does not use any “baby language” like “stuff, a lot, and things.”	Attempts to use academic language but occasionally uses simple language where stronger words could be supplemented. Begins to establish an academic tone. Uses one or two words from the “word cemetery”	Uses all simple language. Does not attempt to use vocabulary words. Frequently uses words from the word cemetery.
Grammar (capitalization, punctuation, proper tense, subject/verb agreement)	All sentences are capitalized and end with the proper punctuation. Uses proper tense throughout response. All subjects and verb agree. Indention correct.	Most sentences are capitalized and end with the proper punctuation. One mistake with tense. Nearly all subjects and verb agree.	Multiple grammatical errors in capitalization, punctuation, tense, and subject/verb agreement.
Spelling	Two or fewer spelling errors.	Three to four spelling errors.	More than four spelling errors.
Conclusion	Conclusion refers back to thesis and offers a “next step” to do with gained knowledge.	Conclusion refers back to text but does not offer a “next step” with new knowledge.	No conclusion evident.