Report Rubric—Elementary and Middle School

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Theme

My report has a narrow and meaningful topic. The theme ties the whole report together.

My report has a narrow topic that ties the whole report together.

My report seems to have a topic, but some parts are not related to the topic.

My report seems to be about more than one topic.

Content

My report includes carefully researched facts and logical conclusions drawn from my research.

My report includes well-researched facts and conclusions.

My report includes some facts and conclusions based on my research.

My report does not include facts and conclusions, or my facts and conclusions are not based on research.

Research

The information in my report is supported by many good resources. I cite my sources correctly.

The information in my report is supported by good resources. I cite most of my sources correctly.

The information in my report is supported by only one or two resources. I cite my sources incorrectly.

The information in my report is supported by poor or no resources. I do not cite my sources.

Interpretation

I use my own experiences and knowledge to make inferences and draw reasonable, original, and thoughtful conclusions. My conclusions are supported by good facts.

I draw some logical and original conclusions. My conclusions are supported by facts.

I try to draw conclusions, but sometimes my ideas are illogical or unsupported by facts.

My report only paraphrases information that I found in my research.

Connections

I make many, logical connections between the information in my report and other subject areas, current issues, and personal experiences.

I make reasonable connections between the information in my report and other topics.

I try to make connections between the information in my report and other topics, but sometimes the connections do not make sense.

I do not make any connections between the information in my report and other topics.

Creativity

My report includes language, features, and information that surprise readers and communicate the theme.

My report includes features that surprise readers and communicate the theme.

My report includes some features that may surprise some readers or communicate the theme.

My report is predictable and does not surprise readers.

Graphics

I include several pictures, maps, diagrams, timelines, and charts to explain my theme. The graphics are clear, labeled correctly, and easy to interpret.

I include some pictures, maps, diagrams, timelines, and charts in my report that relate to the topic.

I include some graphic features in my report, but they are sometimes confusing and distracting.

I include no graphic features in my report, or the ones I include are confusing and are not about the topic.

Introduction

My report has an introduction that describes the theme in an interesting way and makes readers want to read the rest of the report.

My report has an introduction that describes the theme.

My report has an introduction, but it does not clearly describe the theme.

My report does not have an introduction.

Organization

I present the information in my report in a way that builds on ideas and helps readers understand the theme. For example, I start with details and end with generalizations, or I start with generalizations and end with details.

I present the information in my report in an order that helps readers understand the theme.

I present some information in my report in order, but some information is unorganized.

My report is unorganized.

Conclusion

My conclusion leaves readers with an important idea about the theme to think about. My conclusion is worded in an interesting way.

My conclusion focuses on the theme of my report.

My conclusion does not focus on the theme.

My report does not have a conclusion.

Paragraphs

My report is divided into paragraphs. Each paragraph is about one topic. My paragraphs are different lengths.

My report is divided into paragraphs. Each paragraph is about one topic.

My report is divided into paragraphs, but some paragraphs are too long or too short.

I have too many or too few paragraphs.

Sentences

My sentences are different lengths and start in different ways. I connect my sentences so my writing flows and sounds natural.

Most of my sentences are different lengths and start in different ways. I usually connect my sentences so my writing flows.

Many of my sentences sound the same or are the same length. I try to connect my sentences, but my writing sometimes seems choppy.

My sentences usually start the same and are the same length. My writing is choppy and unconnected.

Language

I use accurate and interesting language to communicate my theme and explain, persuade, and create pictures in readers’ minds.

I use accurate and interesting language to explain my theme.

I try to use accurate or interesting language to explain my theme.

I do not seem to try to use accurate or interesting language, and my report is ordinary and often inaccurate.

Conventions

My report has no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization.

My report has some minor errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization.

My report has some major errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. that make it hard to understand in some parts.

My report has so many errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. that it is difficult to understand.

Appearance

My report is neat and attractive. I used fonts, colors, borders, shading, and other word processing tools to add to the report’s theme.

My report is neat and attractive. I used word processing tools to format my report.

My report is confusing in some parts. I used very few word processing tools to format my report.

My report is sloppy and confusing..