Effective Written Communication Standards Rubric MBA 595 Final Project

Standards Emerging (0-1) Acceptable (2-3) Excelling (4-5)

Con

ten

t a

nd

Dev

elop

men

tFaulty logic; weak analysis and/or critical thought evident; one-sided or biased; evidence missing or linked minimally1 2 3to the argument; on topic; no or minimal consideration of audience, uses mainly lay language and prescribed content that demonstrates minimal knowledge and understanding within the field

1 2 3

Analyzes and evaluates logically; effective use of evidence; treats different points of view fairly; generally convincing; considers audience, generally uses discipline-specific language and appropriate content to demonstrate knowledge and understanding within the field

4 5 6

Synthesizes, analyzes, and evaluates logically; ample evidence; extends and explores context and/or implications; persuasive; demonstrates clear consideration of audience, consistently uses discipline-specific language and appropriate content to demonstrate knowledge and understanding within the field

7 8 9

Org

aniz

atio

n

and

Str

uct

ure

Unclear or weak thesis and organization; some transitions; weak introduction and/or conclusion

1 2 3

Interesting thesis; clear, logical organization; good transitions; introduction foreshadows arguments and conclusion reviews

4 5 6

Intelligent thesis; smooth effective organization and transitions; introduction indicates understanding of topic; conclusion suggests questions or implications

7 8 9

Mec

han

ics

Awkward sentences/wording; grammatical or spelling/pronunciation errors; inappropriate word choice (e.g. slang, abbreviations, contractions); lack of clarity

1 2 3

Clear sentence structure/wording; minor errors in grammar and spelling/pronunciation; appropriate word choice

4 5 6

Clear and varied sentence structure/wording; almost no errors in grammar and spelling/pronunciation; effective, appropriate word choice

7 8 9

Info

rmat

ion

L

iter

acy

Uses one-sided or too few sources; depends upon some unreliable sources; initial (but not developed) understanding of sources’ arguments; some quoting and paraphrasing errors

1 2 3

Uses several sufficient, reliable sources; uses accurate information; understands and analyzes information; quotes, paraphrases, uses data accurately

4 5 6

Uses diverse sources demonstrating thorough research; analyzes and synthesizes sources’ arguments (when appropriate); smooth, correct integration of quotes, paraphrases, data

7 8 9

AP

A

Doc

um

enta

tion

Significant errors in citing or referencing sources

1 2 3

Minor problems in citing or referencing sources

4 5 6

Correct/Appropriate citation and referencing of sources

7 8 9

For

mat

No page numbers, spacing inconsistent in more than one place, short 1 or more pages, font size too large, one or more margins too big, excessive use of charts or clip art

1 2 3

No page numbers, spacing inconsistent in one place, short ½ page, font size too large, one or more margins too big, moderate overuse of charts or clip art

4 5 6

Page numbering, spacing, # of pages, font size, margins as specified by the professor

7 8 9