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.

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