NJSLA-A Grades 6–8 Informative and Explanatory Rubric

5 points

Focused response, clear understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: clearly conveys ideas, concepts, and information about a topic; relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples to clearly develop the topic; analysis of relevant content that clearly develops the topic.

4 points

Mostly focused response, general understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: generally conveys ideas, concepts, and information about a topic; relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples to generally develop the topic; analysis of relevant content that generally develops the topic.

3 points

Basic response, some understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: somewhat conveys ideas, concepts, and information about a topic; facts, details, quotations, or information and examples to somewhat develop the topic; explanation of relevant content that somewhat develops the topic.

2 points

Limited response, partial understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: conveys limited ideas, concepts, or information about a topic; limited information and examples related to the topic; limited explanation of relevant content that attempts to develop the topic.

1 point

Minimally written response, minimal understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: conveys minimal information about a topic; minimal, missing, or irrelevant information or examples; minimal, missing, or unclear explanation of relevant content.

5 points

Focused response. Characteristics: clear introduction of a topic (G7 & G8 also preview what is to follow); text structure(s) that clearly organize(s) ideas, concepts, and information; a clear concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (G7 also reflects on the topic; G8 also synthesizes the information or explanation presented); appropriate use of transitions to clarify relationships among ideas and concepts (G7 & G8 also create cohesion among ideas and concepts).

4 points

Mostly focused response. Characteristics: general introduction of a topic (G7 & G8 also preview what is to follow); text structure(s) that generally organize(s) ideas, concepts, and information; a concluding statement or section that generally follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (G7 also generally reflects on the topic; G8 also generally synthesizes the information or explanation presented); appropriate use of transitions to generally clarify relationships among ideas and concepts (G7 & G8 also generally create cohesion among ideas and concepts).

3 points

Basic response. Characteristics: basic introduction of a topic (G7 & G8 also preview what is to follow); text structure(s) that somewhat organize(s) ideas, concepts, or information; a concluding statement or section somewhat related to the information presented; appropriate use of transitions to somewhat clarify relationships among ideas and concepts (G7 & G8 also somewhat create cohesion among ideas and concepts).

2 points

Limited response. Characteristics: limited introduction of a topic; attempted use of text structure to organize ideas, concepts, or information; an attempted concluding statement; attempted use of transitions to relate ideas and concepts.

1 point

Minimally written response. Characteristics: minimal or missing introduction of a topic; minimal or missing text structure; a missing or unclear concluding statement; minimal or missing use of transitions to relate ideas and concepts.

5 points

Focused response. Characteristics: precise use of language to inform about or explain the topic; acknowledges and attempts a formal/academic style, approach, and form (G7 & G8 establishes and maintains a formal/academic style, approach, and form).

4 points

Mostly focused response. Characteristics: appropriate use of language to inform about or explain the topic; generally acknowledges a formal/academic style, approach, and form (G7 & G8 generally establishes a formal/academic style, approach, and form).

3 points

Basic response. Characteristics: basic use of language to inform about or explain the topic; somewhat acknowledges a formal/academic style, approach, or form (G7 & G8 somewhat establishes a formal/academic style, approach, or form).

2 points

Limited response. Characteristics: attempted use of language to inform about or explain the topic; attempts a formal/academic style, approach, or form.

1 point

Minimally written response. Characteristics: minimal or unclear use of language to inform about or explain the topic; minimal or missing formal/academic style, approach, or form.