Drew University CLA Composition Program

English 1-A / Writing  Final Portfolio Scoring Rubric

English 1-A portfolios are read holistically, allowing the essays they include to provide an overall sense of the writer’s skills and weaknesses. One paper may be stronger than another, for example, and may thus demonstrate an ability to plan, develop ideas, write, revise, or edit that is less well demonstrated in the other essay. While we would like students to achieve the same degree of proficiency in all papers, we are most concerned with whether they can apply the skills they have learned in English 1-A the majority of the time. The one exception to this rule is the correct incorporation, use, and citation of sources, which must be demonstrated at all times.
5: An Exceptional Portfolio Both papers are interesting and thought provoking, and each has a good focus and an effective organization, without too many mechanical errors and without errors that distract the readers.
4: A Portfolio that is Almost as Good as it Could Be Both papers are effective, solidly organized, and fulfill the assignment; however, one (or both) of them is not particularly thought provoking and one (or both) of them may not have fully developed the ideas presented in the introduction or in topic sentences. The papers may exhibit some language interference or mechanical errors, or the writers may have adopted a not entirely appropriate tone.
3: A Portfolio That is Adequate Both papers fulfill the assignment; however, neither of them is particularly thought provoking and they may seem to talk around the assignment, never entirely getting to a thesis or never entirely supporting their claims. The papers may lack effective introductions and/or conclusions and/or effective organization, although it will be clear that they have some kind of organization. Both papers may exhibit a fair amount of language interference or mechanical errors, and/or the writers may have adopted an inappropriate tone; however, other papers may be written in flawless prose and still fail to effectively achieve their goals.
2: An Ineffectual Portfolio Both papers demonstrate some attempt to complete the assignment, and show some organization and focus; however, one may be vastly inferior to the other in style or content, or both may fail to effectively achieve their goals. One or both papers may be written with an inappropriate tone and excessive errors.
1: A Portfolio that Demonstrates Minimal Effort and/or Execution The papers demonstrate a minimal response to the assignment and lack coherent organization (with ideas seeming to occur all over the place). The papers may also have inappropriate tone and excessive errors.
0: An Unacceptable Portfolio Includes papers whose lack of quality (or lack of existence in the portfolio) suggests that the student quite probably needs to take English 1 again.
Questions to Dr. Sandra Jamieson, Director of Compostion, at sjamieso@drew.edu December 2004