Lesson Four
The Hero: Heroes Inside and Outside Community
How-To Guide Rubric
CRITERIA
NOVICE
ON-TARGET
ADVANCED
Diction: word choice
The writing
—uses safe, general, vague
vocabulary that remains at or
below grade level without
regard to meaningful
connotation
—overuses adverbs and
adjectives instead of focusing
on sensory details, or uses a
limited range of adjectives and
adverbs without trying more
precise synonyms
—relies on repeated, general
verbs
The writing
—uses vocabulary above grade
level that is specific to the
topic, interesting, complex and
new for the writer. Sometimes
denotations are inaccurate and
connotations unintended.
—uses effective adjectives and
adverbs and a range of fairly
precise synonyms in order to
convey sensory details
—uses power verbs
The writing
—uses vocabulary above grade
level appropriate to the topic,
harnessing precise denotation
and significant connotation.
—presents vivid sensory detail
with balanced and a timely use
of adjectives and adverbs
—uses effective and vivid
power verbs
The writing
—may identify the process but
not establish the steps and
stages of the process using a
thesis with topical subgroups
—offers major steps of the
process in a chronological
order
—uses specific detail but may
not explain key terms or
necessary background
information to assist a novice
in completing the task
The writing
—establishes a thesis with
topical subgroups that may not
classify all the steps and stages
of the process but provides an
effective generalization for the
process as a whole
—offers a clear, step-by-step
explanation of the process with
topic sentences clarifying each
stage in chronological order
—uses specific detail such as
key terms and facts to assist a
novice in completing the task
The writing suffers from
several mechanical errors
including
spelling errors
fragments
The writing usually avoids
spelling errors
fragments
The writing
—establishes a clear thesis with
topical subgroups that
accurately classify the types of
steps and stages of the process
—offers a clear, step-by-step
explanation of the process so
that someone else can follow it,
using topic sentences to clarify
each stage in chronological
order
—uses highly specific detail,
such as key terms, background
information, memorable facts,
images, and analogies to assist a
novice in completing the task
—anticipates potential obstacles
and difficulties a novice may
encounter and offers preventive
solutions
The writing always avoids
spelling errors
fragments
and usage
Purpose &
Audience:
Purpose: the aim,
goal, and intention of a
piece of writing; its
content as represented
in its main points and
supporting details
Audience: the
readership for a piece
of writing, which
includes the readers’
likely interests,
concerns, perspectives,
and expectations
Grammar &
Mechanics:
Grammar: the system,
rules, and structural
relationships of
language
Mechanics: the
technical aspects of
prose style such as
punctuation
Growing Up Heroic: Adventures in Greek Mythology
© 2009 Duke University Talent Identification Program
Page 1 of 2
Lesson Four
The Hero: Heroes Inside and Outside Community
How-To Guide Rubric
Denotations for Rubric Vocabulary
Look up denotations of new vocabulary from this rubric and record them below.
Growing Up Heroic: Adventures in Greek Mythology
© 2009 Duke University Talent Identification Program
Page 2 of 2