CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Sentences and paragraphs All sentences are complete and Most sentences are complete
Many sentence fragments or run-
Sentences & are complete, well- well-constructed (no fragments, and well-constructed.
on sentences OR paragraphing
Paragraphs constructed and of varied no run-ons). Paragraphing is Paragraphing needs some
needs lots of work.
structure. generally done well. work.

Salutation and closing have Salutation and closing have 1-2 Salutation and closing have 3 or
Salutation Salutation and/or closing are
no errors in capitalization and errors in capitalization and more errors in capitalization and
and Closing missing.
punctuation. punctuation. punctuation.

Grammar &
Writer makes no errors in Writer makes 1-2 errors in Writer makes 3-4 errors in Writer makes more than 4 errors in
spelling grammar or spelling. grammar and/or spelling. grammar and/or spelling grammar and/or spelling.
(conventions)

Ideas were somewhat

Ideas were expressed in a
clear and organized fashion.
Ideas It was easy to figure out what
the letter was about.
Ideas were expressed in a The letter seemed to be a
organized, but were not very
pretty clear manner, but the collection of unrelated sentences. It
organization could have been
clear. It took more than one
was very difficult to figure out what
reading to figure out what the
better. the letter was about.
letter was about.

The letter is 10 or more

Length sentences.
The letter is 8-9 sentences. The letter is 5-7 sentences. The letter is less than 5 sentences.

Capitalization Writer makes no errors in

Writer makes 1-2 errors in Writer makes 3-4 errors in Writer makes more than 4 errors in
and capitalization and
capitalization and punctuation. capitalization and punctuation. capitalization and punctuation.
Punctuation punctuation.

Letter is typed and looks like it had

Letter is typed, clean, not
wrinkled, and is easy to read
Neatness with no distracting error
corrections. It was done with
pride.
Letter is neatly hand-written,
Letter is typed and is crumpled been shoved in a pocket or locker.
clean, not wrinkled, and is easy
or slightly stained. It may have It may have several distracting
to read with no distracting error
1-2 distracting error corrections. error corrections. It looks like it was
corrections. It was done with
It was done with some care. done in a hurry or stored
care.
improperly.

Complies with all the Complies with almost all the Complies with several of the
Complies with less than 75% of the
Format requirements for a friendly requirements for a friendly requirements for a friendly
requirements for a friendly letter.
letter. letter. letter.
 The letter contains at least 5
Content The letter contains 3-4 accurate The letter contains 1-2 accurate The letter contains no accurate
accurate facts about the
Accuracy facts about the topic. facts about the topic. facts about the topic.
topic.

Complete, accurate return

Complete, accurate return
address and recipient 1-2 errors in return address. Addresses are incomplete and/or
Envelope address. Addresses in correct
address and recipient address.
Recipient address is correct. inaccurate.
Position may be slightly off.
positions.