Feature Article Rubric

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Title Grabs reader's attention. Grabs the reader's attention No special quality to grab No title
Is creative and the reader's attention.
appropriate.

Word Choice Writer uses vivid words Writer uses vivid words and Writer uses words that Writer uses a limited
and phrases that linger or phrases that linger or draw communicate clearly, but vocabulary that does not
draw pictures in the pictures in the reader's the writing lacks variety, communicate strongly or
reader's mind, and the mind, but occasionally the punch or flair. capture the reader's intere
choice and placement words are used inaccurately
seems accurate, natural, or seem overdone.
and not forced.

Lead The lead is inviting and The lead states the topic, The lead is not inviting to No lead, or very weak lead
draws the reader into the and makes an attempt to the reader.
article. draw the reader into the
article.

Focused Topic There is one clear, well- Main idea is clear, but the Main idea is somewhat The main idea is not clear
focused, defined topic. supporting information is clear, or the writer tries to There is a seemingly rand
Main idea is supported general. bring in too much off topic collection of information.
with detailed information. material.

Expert An expert is quoted in the The expert is quoted. The The expert adds off topic No expert quoted.
article. The purpose is purpose is clear, but it does information.
clear, and of interest, and not add to the text.
adds credibility to the
article.

Text Features The writer used text The writer used text The writer used text The writer used text featur
features to emphasize features to emphasize angle features to emphasize to emphasize angle of arti
angle of article. The writer of article. The writer angle of article. The writer The writer does not includ
included at least 4 text included at least 2 -3 text includes text features but text features.
features that enhance the features that enhance the they do not enhance the
reading of the article. reading of the article. reading of the article.

Conclusion The writer draws an The writer draws a The writer rambles in the There is no conclusion.
appropriate conclusion conclusion, but it is not conclusion.
and writes it well. satisfying.

Grammar & Writer made no errors in Writer made 1-2 errors in Writer made 3-4 errors in Writer made more than 4
Spelling grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that grammar or spelling that errors in grammar or spell
distract the reader from distract the reader from the distract the reader from the that distract the reader fro
the content content. content the content.

Capitalization Writer made no errors in Writer made 1 or 2 errors in Writer made a few errors in Writer made several error
& Punctuation capitalization or capitalization or capitalization and/or capitalization that catch th
punctuation, so the paper punctuation, but the paper is punctuation that catch the reader's attention and gre
is exceptionally easy to still easy to read. reader's attention and interrupt the flow.
read. interrupt the flow.
Name: _______________________________ ID: ____
Grade:
______
Works Cited Page – MLA style
Sources All sources used for All sources used for quotes Most sources used for Many sources used for q
(Content) quotes and facts are and facts are credible and quotes and facts are and facts are less than
credible and cited most are cited correctly. credible and cited correctly. credible (suspect) and/or
correctly. not cited correctly.