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Drew University CLA Composition
Program
English 1 / Writing Final
Portfolio Rubric
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6:
A Commendable Portfolio
Content,
organization,
depth of research, style, grammar, and integration of sources all work
together
to produce engaging, insightful, convincing essays that have something
to say
and say it well. A holistic reading of a level 6 portfolio
demonstrates
a clear sense of the writer’s overall skills, including the ability to
craft
focused, unified, coherent, and supported arguments, comparisons, and
analyses
that seamlessly incorporate summaries, paraphrases, and quotation at
least the
vast majority of the time. The balanced use of sources creates a
dialogue
between them through the structure of the paper and careful framing of
source
material. Any necessary revisions would
be cosmetic and rare (occasional misspellings, comma splices, run-ons,
etc;
occasional weak transitions or awkward framing of cited material).
5. A Particularly Satisfying Portfolio
Thoughtful and
generally
well-presented essays that demonstrate various writing and researching
strengths but also reveal some imbalance in style, grammar, or variety
of
research. A holistic reading of a level 5 portfolio
indicates
the writer’s ability to develop, organize, connect, and support
original
arguments skillfully. The writer is
generally but not always entirely able to determine appropriate
rhetorical
strategies, synthesize and balance sources, express ideas in an
appropriate
academic tone, and write tight, well-focused paragraphs.
One or both essays may also demonstrate
weakness in one or more of these areas sufficient to compromise the
overall
integrity of the work.
4. A Competent Portfolio
Essays fulfill
the
requirements of their respective assignment competently, but not as
compellingly or skillfully as we would wish.
A holistic reading of
a level
4 portfolio suggests that the writer is able to demonstrate the writing
skills
generally seen in a level 5 or 6 portfolio, and is generally a
proficient
college-writer; however, the papers may not be as fully developed or
the claims
fully supported. There may be the sense
that the author did not intellectually engage in the topic, fully
explore the
topic, or completely understand some of the issues raised by the topic. Also, inconsistencies in style, grammar, and
framing of sources detract from the overall strengths of the essays.
3: A Somewhat Competent, Somewhat
Disappointing
Portfolio
Essays may
fulfill the
requirements of their respective assignments, at least somewhat, but at
least
one may be seriously off topic and one or both may contain weaknesses
in
structure, selection and incorporation of sources, and/or grammar and
mechanics. While these essays have a clear focus and
adequate
support, paragraphs may lose unity and cohesion because of weak topic
sentences
and transitions. Source material must be
cited, but the framing of that material may be awkward and sometimes
absent,
and the author may have depended too heavily on too few sources. There
may be
minor errors on the works cited page, but not sufficient for concern. These patterns of error, in addition to some
mechanical lapses, undermine the energy of the essays.
2: An Ineffectual Portfolio
Essays
containing
unfocussed, digressive, and confusing arguments that lack adequate
support and
/ or contain serious patterns of error that distract the reader or
prevent
clear comprehension of what the author is trying to communicate. A
holistic reading of a level 2 portfolio raises serious concerns in the
areas of
content, structure, grammar, or source selection. The
framing of source material may be awkward
or largely absent and there may be errors on the works cited page
(although not
sufficient to raise suspicion of plagiarism), and the author may have
depended
too heavily on too few sources. One or
both papers may write around the assignment or thesis or seriously fail
to
support claims.
1: A Minimal Portfolio
Essays that
demonstrate
minimal effort and / or execution. Level 1
portfolios demonstrate a strong sense
of incompleteness and inappropriateness.
Content, structure, grammar, and use of sources are all lacking. Submissions read more like rough to very
rough drafts and not a finished, polished product.
0: An
Unacceptable
Portfolio
Portfolios that
gravely
misuse sources and/ or do not remotely fulfill the assignments.