and society

Composition Grading Criteria

Communicating through writing is critical on the job for expressing ideas and

conveying information. It has the same importance in the classroom. Your
writing reflects your ideas and communicates your understanding of the topic to

the instructor. All written assignments, including discussion board posts and
essay exams, will be graded on the composition elements listed below, as well

as your understanding of the content.

Criteria Sub-standard Novice Proficient Exemplary

Writing
Process

Does not demonstrate
that the paper has
been proofread.

Does not demonstrate
proper use of
grammar.

Does not demonstrate
proper use of
punctuation.

Does not demonstrate
organizational skills.

Demonstrates basic
proofreading skills,
but has errors.

Demonstrates basic
grammatical skills
but has errors.

Demonstrates basic
punctuation skills,
but has errors.

Demonstrates basic
organizational
skills, but has
errors.

Demonstrates
proficient
proofreading skills.

Demonstrates
proficient grammar
skills.

Demonstrates
proficient
punctuation skills.

Demonstrates
proficient
organizational
skills.

Demonstrates
exemplary
proofreading skills.

Demonstrates
exemplary grammar
skills.

Demonstrates
exemplary
punctuation skills.

Demonstrates
exemplary
organizational
skills.

Content
Presentation

Does not include
introduction, body,
and conclusion.

Missing one or more
of the following:
introduction, body,
and/or conclusion.

Includes introduction,
body, and
conclusion.

Includes exemplary
introduction, body,
and conclusion.

Critical
Thinking

Does not demonstrate
critical thinking skills.

Demonstrates very
basic critical
thinking skills.

Demonstrates
proficient critical
thinking skills.

Demonstrates
exemplary critical
thinking skills.

APA Format Does not include APA
formatting for
citations, references,
and headings.

Demonstrates some
APA formatting for
citations,
references, and
headings, but has
many errors.

Demonstrates APA
formatting for
citations,
references, and
headings, but has
some errors.

Demonstrates
exemplary use of
correct APA
formatting for
citations,
references, and
headings.