8th Grade 1st Quarter District Writing:
How did the First Americans arrive to North and South America? Based on what we found in class through our
discussion and reading, advance your personal theories on how you believe that North and South America were
first populated. Back up your findings with sound reasoning.
GRADING RUBRIC
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IDEAS
The heart of the message
3 ideas-Great! 2 ideas or 3
one idea
no clue
is clear with at least three
weak ideas
or weakness
supporting elements.
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ORGANIZATION The way
very clear rambled a bit
rambled a lot serious rambling
you put your ideas in order
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WORD CHOICE The words
Natural/clear
little muddy
not clear
awful
you chose to see your ideas.
or persuasive
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VOICE It sounds like you
Smooth! Okay
Too informal
weird
talking...that’s a good thing.
or too formal
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SENTENCE FLUENCY The way
Structure Good
Limited variety
bad
sentences sound when read out loud.
Outstanding
CONVENTIONS Periods, commas,
capitals, usage!
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-1 for each mistake
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PRESENTATION How it looks
Awesome
Good
Okay
Horrible.
NAME: ____________________________________________
You can do rewrites to improve your grade!
1ST GRADE ______________________