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Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) Rubric

Date_____ Scorer___ Score___ Score___ Combined Score___

Passing requires a combined score of 7 based on two readings. Two scorers must agree within one point.

Scorers read WPEs holistically, allocating one score for the exam as a whole. They score using the criteria below. The score will be based on some but not necessarily all of the criteria associated with that score. Aspects of the exam may be stronger or weaker than the score allocated; the score will represent the scorer's overall impression of the exam.

6

Answers the question and engages in thoughtful detail with the reading selection, mentioning the reading selection and its author by name, quoting or paraphrasing passages, and moving beyond the author's ideas

Makes a consistent, interesting argument on which supporting paragraphs focus

Employs skillful organization using pleasing logical connections between sentences and paragraphs to make the essay easy to follow

Presents relevant examples with thoughtful commentary in well-developed paragraphs

Demonstrates stylistic sophistication in word choice and in the blending of various and appropriate sentence structures

Demonstrates excellent editing skills or includes only a few minor errors in Standard Written English

5

Answers the question and mentions the reading selection and its author by name while moving beyond the author's ideas

Makes a consistent argument on which supporting paragraphs focus

Employs clear transitions between sentences and paragraphs; paragraphs have one topic and are logically ordered

Presents relevant examples with some discussion in well-developed paragraphs

Demonstrates some variety in word choice and sentence structures

Demonstrates strong editing skills, but there may be a few minor errors in Standard Written English, such as errors in spelling, articles, punctuation, pronoun reference, or usage

4

Answers the question with some reference to the reading selection while moving beyond the author's ideas

Makes a clear argument on which some supporting paragraphs focus

Employs some transitions that are helpful but may be awkwardly worded; may have some trouble with paragraph unity or order

Presents relevant examples but may not comment effectively on them; paragraphs may require further development

Uses clear wording

Demonstrates some ability to edit for Standard Written English but may still include a few significant errors in Standard Written English, such as inappropriate run-ons or fragments

3

Answers the question without presenting the student writer's own ideas; depends almost exclusively on merely summarizing examples drawn from the reading selection; may fail to mention the reading selection at all or mentions it only cursorily

Focuses on a general topic without a consistent argument based on the student writer's own ideas

Organizes ideas in a random order without helpful transitions and/or paragraph unity, causing the scorer some difficulty following the student writer's argument

Presents an oversimplified argument supported primarily by generalizations rather than relevant examples; paragraphs require further development

Demonstrates some awkward wording and simplistic sentence structures

Demonstrates little ability to edit for Standard Written English; includes distracting or confusing errors in Standard Written English

2

Responds to the question without reference to the reading selection

Lacks focus

Organizes ideas in a random order causing significant difficulty following

Presents generalizations seemingly unrelated to the topic; paragraphs require further focused development

Employs unclear or very imprecise wording or simplistic sentence structures

Demonstrates inability to edit for Standard Written English; includes distracting error patterns in Standard Written English that interfere with the scorer's ability to understand what the student writer is saying

1

Fails to answer the question or respond to the reading selection or fails to otherwise complete the essay

Fails to develop a focus or coherent argument

Fails to present or develop relevant examples

Fails to employ common sentence types or clear, exact wording

Fails to edit for or demonstrate command of Standard Written English

Knowles/Wolff 10/03

6	Answers the question and engages in thoughtful detail with the reading selection, mentioning the reading selection and its author by name, quoting or paraphrasing passages, and moving beyond the author's ideas Makes a consistent, interesting argument on which supporting paragraphs focus Employs skillful organization using pleasing logical connections between sentences and paragraphs to make the essay easy to follow Presents relevant examples with thoughtful commentary in well-developed paragraphs Demonstrates stylistic sophistication in word choice and in the blending of various and appropriate sentence structures Demonstrates excellent editing skills or includes only a few minor errors in Standard Written English
5	Answers the question and mentions the reading selection and its author by name while moving beyond the author's ideas Makes a consistent argument on which supporting paragraphs focus Employs clear transitions between sentences and paragraphs; paragraphs have one topic and are logically ordered Presents relevant examples with some discussion in well-developed paragraphs Demonstrates some variety in word choice and sentence structures Demonstrates strong editing skills, but there may be a few minor errors in Standard Written English, such as errors in spelling, articles, punctuation, pronoun reference, or usage
4	Answers the question with some reference to the reading selection while moving beyond the author's ideas Makes a clear argument on which some supporting paragraphs focus Employs some transitions that are helpful but may be awkwardly worded; may have some trouble with paragraph unity or order Presents relevant examples but may not comment effectively on them; paragraphs may require further development Uses clear wording Demonstrates some ability to edit for Standard Written English but may still include a few significant errors in Standard Written English, such as inappropriate run-ons or fragments
3	Answers the question without presenting the student writer's own ideas; depends almost exclusively on merely summarizing examples drawn from the reading selection; may fail to mention the reading selection at all or mentions it only cursorily Focuses on a general topic without a consistent argument based on the student writer's own ideas Organizes ideas in a random order without helpful transitions and/or paragraph unity, causing the scorer some difficulty following the student writer's argument Presents an oversimplified argument supported primarily by generalizations rather than relevant examples; paragraphs require further development Demonstrates some awkward wording and simplistic sentence structures Demonstrates little ability to edit for Standard Written English; includes distracting or confusing errors in Standard Written English
2	Responds to the question without reference to the reading selection Lacks focus Organizes ideas in a random order causing significant difficulty following Presents generalizations seemingly unrelated to the topic; paragraphs require further focused development Employs unclear or very imprecise wording or simplistic sentence structures Demonstrates inability to edit for Standard Written English; includes distracting error patterns in Standard Written English that interfere with the scorer's ability to understand what the student writer is saying
1	Fails to answer the question or respond to the reading selection or fails to otherwise complete the essay Fails to develop a focus or coherent argument Fails to present or develop relevant examples Fails to employ common sentence types or clear, exact wording Fails to edit for or demonstrate command of Standard Written English