California State University, Chico • College of Business

Writing Rubric- Guidelines for Assessment*

Writing Trait Unacceptable in

Market

Communications

Acceptable-Good Excellent

Organization of Ideas and

Content

(OIC)

Writing is not concise and

has a tendency to ramble.

No clear direction in the

writing. Lack of focus and

organization interfere with

communication and

understanding. If

appropriate: Lacks a clear

introduction and

conclusion. Needs work

F D- D D+

Writing could be a bit more

concise. Focus and

direction of writing is

acceptable, but could use a

little work. Organization

doesn’t interfere with

communication and

understanding, but could

use a bit more attention. If

appropriate: Introduction

and conclusion are

acceptable, but could use a

little work.

C- C C+ B- B

Writing is concise.

Information is presented in

a manner which makes it

extremely easy for the

reader to understand the

points being made. Ideas

are clearly stated. Focus

and direction of the writing

are extremely clear. If

appropriate: Compelling

introduction, informative

body with details, and

effective conclusion.

B+ A- A

Sentence Structure

(SS)

Poorly developed

sentences. Sentences don’t

express ideas well.

Sentence structure is

sometimes so poor that it

makes reading and

understanding difficult.

Sentences are awkward,

rambling and would sound

strange if read out loud.

Needs work.

F D- D D+

Sentences usually flow well

while at other times are

awkward due to lack of

conciseness, wordiness, or

lack of appropriate

structure. Overall, most

sentences clearly express

ideas.

C- C C+ B- B

Extremely well developed

sentences. Sentences flow

well. Sentences clearly

express ideas. Sentences

are concise.

B+ A- A

Paragraph Structure

(PS)

Sentences within a

paragraph are unrelated. No

clear direction within the

paragraph. Connections

between paragraphs are

confusing. Needs work.

F D- D D+

Similar to Superior, but a

few paragraphs need

improvements. Most

sentences within a

paragraph build upon or

relate to a single issue. A

few paragraphs lack good

lead-in or transitional

sentences.

C- C C+ B- B

Organization of paragraphs

enhances readability.

Sentences within paragraph

all build upon or relate to a

single issue. Logical flow.

Good lead-in sentence for

each paragraph. Good

transition between

paragraphs.

B+ A- A

Word Choice

and Tone

(WCT)

Writer struggles to use

appropriate vocabulary.

Language is vague. Words

are used incorrectly. Tone

and word choice are

inappropriate for intended

audience. Inappropriate use

of “casual language” and

Writer uses familiar words

well and occasionally

makes more sophisticated

word choices. Tone and

word choice are appropriate

for the intended audience.

Sophisticated and

appropriate use of

vocabulary. Word choice

adds to quality of the

writing and enhances

overall meaning. Tone and

word choice are appropriate

for the intended audience.

clichés. Needs work.

F D- D D+

C- C C+ B- B B+ A- A

Grammar, Punctuation,

and Spelling

(GPS)

Writing contains numerous

and/or significant errors

which interfere with

comprehension and distract

from the message. For

example, three or more

errors on a page, or for

longer papers, more than

five errors in the whole

paper. Needs work. Needs

work.

F D- D D+

Writing contains a few

insignificant errors that

don’t interfere with

comprehension or distract

from the message. For

example, two minor errors

on a page, or for longer

papers, five or fewer minor

errors throughout the paper.

C- C C+ B- B

Writing is nearly error free.

For example, paper has no

more than one error on any

given page, or for longer

papers, no more than four

errors throughout paper.

B+ A- A

Professional Format and

Use of Conventions

(PF)

Document has numerous

and significant printing

and/or formatting problems.

Aesthetic qualities of the

paper would be an

embarrassment to an

organization. Doesn’t

follow basic formatting

conventions (e.g., citations

and documentation). Needs

work.

F D- D D+

Document is reasonably

neat and professional

looking. Document has a

few minor formatting or

convention problems (e.g.,

citations and

documentation).

C- C C+ B- B

Document is extremely neat

and professional looking.

Everything formatted

correctly. Proper use of any

necessary conventions (e.g.,

citations and

documentation). Paper’s

aesthetic qualities are what

one would expect from a

business professional.

B+ A- A

Professionalism The reader (e.g., instructor,

coworker, client, CEO) of

this document would view

it as unprofessionally

written.

F D- D D+

The reader (e.g., instructor,

coworker, client, CEO) of

this document would view

it to be adequate, but not

extremely professional.

C- C C+ B- B

The reader (e.g., instructor,

coworker, client, CEO) of

this document would view

it as extremely

professional.

B+ A- A

*Grading levels added for use in this class.