Business Letter Writing Rubric
Look Fors
Main Ideas Ideas On Topic
WOW! 4 Points
My writing had a clear main idea in each paragraph.
Almost There 3 Points
My paper has a main idea in most paragraphs.
On The Way 2 Points
My main idea is not very clear in any of the paragraphs.
Not Yet 0-1 Points
My writing has no stated main idea in any of the paragraphs.s My writing does not follow or is missing its topic. My writing has no interesting or related details. Most components are missing and/or written improperly.
Details Organization
Parts of the Business Letter (x3) Transitions
I stayed on topic focusing on my main point from start to finish. I used many interesting details that supported my main idea. Heading, inside address, salutation, closing, and signature are all present. My writing transitions well between paragraphs. It flows well throughout. My writing comes to life and keeps my reader interested. It uses literary devices (figurative language) to make writing my own. Uses tactics to engage the reader (question, description, statement, definition, etc.) I used varied, descriptive and appropriate words to create meaningful pictures. I have a colon after the salutation and a comma after the closing. My capitalization in the heading and inside address is correct. Most of the words are spelled correctly in my writing and they don’t distract from the paper. My paper meets the criterion for length. My writing/typing is neat/, easy to read. All parts of my letter are correctly spaced.
I focused on the main point for most of my writing but wandered a little. I had some details that supported my main idea. All components are present but a few are written improperly.
My writing does not follow my main point. The direction is not clear. I had very few interesting details or my details didn’t support my main idea. Some components are missing and/or written improperly.
Transitions are used and there is flow between paragraphs. My writing is interesting throughout. It utilizes some literary elements.
Transitions between paragraphs are fuzzy and the flow is choppy at times. My writing has some interesting parts but uses few literary devices.
No clear transitions and flow is very choppy. My writing is boring. It uses no literary devices.
Voice (Emotion & Style)
Personal S ty l e
Word Choice
Uses some engaging tactics throughout the paper to keep reader’s attention. I used descriptive words appropriately.
Uses few tactics to engage the reader.
Uses no engaging tactics to get or keep reader’s attention. My vocabulary is simple and limited.
I used a few descriptive words.
Conventions
Grammar (x2)
Most of my writing uses correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.
My writing has many errors, but the meaning is clear.
My grammar interferes with the meaning of the writing.
Spelling
Almost all of the words are spelled correctly in my writing.
Several of the words are misspelled in my writing.
The spelling interferes with the meaning of the writing. My paper does not meet the criterion for length. My handwriting is unreadable and messy. I have not used correct spacing.
Length Presentation (Neatness)
My writing is legible and neat. Most of my letter has correct spacing.
My writing is not easy to read and I have not used correct spacing.
Subtotal Score Student Name Topic/Project Total Score Date /60
Developed December 2005