Website Writing Rubric - High School

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Clarity Innovations

	4	3	2	1
Content	My website covers the topic thoroughly and deeply, presenting various perspectives. I frequently update my site so the information is always current.	My website covers the topic adequately, presenting more than one perspective. I occasionally update my site.	My website covers some parts of the topic adequately, but it covers others superficially. rarely update my site.	My website covers the topic superficially. I never update my site.
	My website’s content includes adequate information that is well-supported by credible sources.	My website’s content includes sufficient information that is supported by reliable sources.	My website’s content includes a great deal of unsupported personal opinion. OR Some of my website’s content is supported with sources that are not credible.	My website’s content consists almost completely of unsubstantiated personal opinion. OR Almost all of my website’s content is supported with sources that are not credible.
Citations	I clearly identify my sources of information, and I verify their credibility and reliability.	I correctly identify my sources.	My sources are occasionally missing or identified incorrectly or incompletely.	My sources are not identified, or they are identified incorrectly or incompletely.
Site Organization	Each page of my Web site makes sense by itself. My pages are organized in a way that suits the topic, such as hierarchically or chronologically. Detailed, specific supporting information appears on linked pages, rather than on the home page.	The pages of my Web site generally make sense by themselves. My pages are organized in a logical order. Specific information is generally placed on linked pages rather than on the home page.	Some pages of my site only make sense in connection with other pages. My pages are somewhat organized, but the placement of some pages may not make sense. The home page has some specific information that should go on other pages.	My pages only make sense in connection with other pages. The organization of my pages seems random. The home page has too much specific information that should go on other pages.
Navigation	Users always know where they are within my site. They can easily return to the home page as well as move from page to page.	Users can easily return to my home page and move from page to page.	Users sometimes get lost in my site and cannot return to the home page.	Users frequently get lost in my site and cannot return to the home page.
Page Organization: Anchors	Anchors help readers easily find what they are looking for within a page.	Some anchors are used to help readers find what they need.	Anchors occasionally help readers navigate a page.	Anchors are absent or confusing.
Page Organization: Text Features	Frequent headings and subheadings divide the content of my site logically into manageable chunks. The relationships among different categories and information are clearly indicated through the use of bullets, indenting, and other visual features.	My site is divided into meaningful chunks with headings and subheadings. The relationships among categories of information are clear.	Some headings divide up the information. The organization of content does not always make clear the relationships among categories of information.	Headings are infrequent, too frequent, or do not divide the content into useful chunks. The relationships among categories are confusing.
Voice: Audience	My website connects with the audience by addressing an important and interesting topic, by discussing it in an interesting and engaging way, and by anticipating and answering the readers’ questions.	I keep my website up to date, and I address different perspectives on the topic. I connect with my readers by explaining why the topic is important. I try to answer readers’ questions.	My website presents primarily only one aspect of the topic. I rarely update my site. The topic of the Web site may be important to a few people, but I make no effort to explain why others should be interested.	My website does not present enough information for readers to form reasonable opinions about the topic. The topic is of little importance to people other than me.
Voice: Tone	The tone of my site reflects authority and credibility. The website speaks respectfully to the audience by providing reasons why the topic and the information presented is important to know.	The tone of my site reflects sufficient knowledge of the subject. The website explains reasons why the topic is important.	The tone of my site reflects some knowledge of the subject. The website attempts to explain why the topic is important.	The tone of my site reflects little knowledge of the subject. The website gives no reasons why readers should care about the topic.
Voice: Author’s Commitment	My website reflects my sincere commitment to and interest in the topic.	My website reflects my interest in the topic.	My website reflects some interest in the topic.	My website seems to show that I am not particularly interested in the topic.
Word Choice	The language on my site is precise, specific, and accurate. I use powerful and interesting words to create memorable pictures in readers’ minds. I avoid technical or subject-specific terms, if possible, and define them when necessary.	The language on my site is generally accurate. I use interesting words to engage readers, and I define important technical terms.	The language on my site is sometimes vague, general, or not descriptive. I sometimes do not define technical terms.	The language on my site is general and predictable. I do not define technical terms.
Sentences	My sentences are short and easy to understand. My sentences have a variety of interesting beginnings and structures. I use sentence fragments to enhance interest and meaning.	Most of my sentences are short and easy to understand. My sentences have some variety in beginnings and structures.	Several of my sentences are long and confusing. Some of my sentence structures and beginnings are predictable.	My sentences are confusing and predictable.
Transitions	The writing on my site has rhythm and sounds effortless when read out loud.	The writing on my site has rhythm.	The writing on my site sometimes sounds choppy and awkward.	The writing on my site is choppy and unconnected.
Conventions	The spelling, punctuation, and capitalization on my site are correct. I use Standard English throughout my site, except where nonstandard usage enhances meaning. I effectively manipulate the conventions of spelling, punctuation, and Standard English to enhance meaning and style.	The spelling, punctuation, and capitalization on my site are generally correct, and no errors detract from what I am trying to say. I use Standard English throughout the writing.	Occasional errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization detract from meaning. I sometimes use non-Standard English in ways that detract from what I am trying to say.	I make so many errors in conventions that my site is difficult to understand.