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GRADING RUBRIC FOR
WRITTEN AND
ORAL
COMMUNICATION Writing 465 holds up high standards for its students to meet, because it is
designed to help you meet the expectations for communicating on your job.
Therefore, the following standards apply to your grades.
In
written communication:
A These documents represent polished, appropriately-designed efforts
that would be completely acceptable in a professional situation. They are
totally error-free; moreover, they are executed with creativity and
sensitivity to the nature and needs of the audience and make the best use of
available communications presentation technology. The topic is substantive;
the prose style is mature and tight, well-organized, and free of lard. Every
part plays an important role in the document=s
effect and is connected by appropriate transitions. Any graphics are
smoothly integrated and effectively placed for communicative success. The
content shows that the writer knows how to find, select, and present
information in the manner best suited to this audience.
B These documents are less polished and appropriate than
A
documents, but again would be acceptable (if not notable) in a professional
situation. They are also totally error-free, but are weaker than
A
papers in one or more of the following ways: The topic is less ambitious;
the style is less tight or more lardy; transitions may be weaker; the appeal
to the audience is less certain; the presentation is less polished; graphics
may be less appropriate or less smoothly integrated; the content may be less
complete or less sophisticated; the use of technology may be less fluent; or
the writer may not demonstrate the ability to find, select, and present the
right information in a totally appropriate manner.
C These documents are virtually error-free, but they are not yet
appropriate for a professional situation for one or more of the following
reasons: the style is immature, wordy, stilted, or inappropriate for the
audience; the topic is mundane; the content is insufficiently developed or
presented in a less-than-effective organization; the presentation is
uncertain and shows amateurism; graphic information is ineffectively
presented or interpreted or inappropriately placed; technology may not be
used effectively; appropriate sources of information may not have been
consulted; documentation of secondary information may be incomplete or
inaccurate. With appropriate revisions these documents may be acceptable in
a professional situation.
D These documents contain errors in any or all of the following
areas: spelling, grammar, mechanics, punctuation, or format. They may also
suffer from one or more of the following weaknesses: inappropriate or casual
style; insufficient audience analysis; poor organization or transitions;
incomplete or inappropriate content; sloppy, hasty, or amateurish
presentation; inaccuracies in data; poor choice of graphic contents,
placement, or presentation; inappropriate, incomplete, or missing research;
serious faults in documentation; or problems using available technology.
These documents require substantial revision to be acceptable in a
professional situation.
F These documents do not meet basic standards for professional
communication. They may exhibit one or more of the following weaknesses:
inability to use standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics;
missing documentation; poor treatment of content; careless or inappropriate
format and presentation; no control over technology; illogical organization;
or an obviously inadequate amount of preparation. These documents must be
completely rewritten before they can be used in a professional situation.
In
oral communication:
A This presentation is a solid, creative, well-organized
communication on an engaging topic that is totally suited to the needs of
the particular audience. It has a discernible and appealing structure,
memorable content, and engaging presentation. Transitions are smooth and the
speaker avoids verbal distractors, inappropriate language, or grammatical
mistakes; is audible and clear; and makes positive eye- and rhetorical
contact with all members of the audience. The speaker manages her/his time
well. Visual aids and technology, if used, are well-designed, appropriate
for the audience, and thoroughly integrated into the presentation. Handouts
are well-chosen, free of error, and used effectively. The speaker projects
knowledge, confidence, and self-possession. The presentation prompts
questions and discussion. This presentation would be totally acceptable in a
professional situation.
B This presentation lacks some of the verve and imagination of the
A
presentation but is still well-suited to its audience. The topic is
appropriate if not noteworthy; the organization is strong, although it may
not be projected as smoothly or discernibly; the content is complete if less
persuasively presented; and the speaker makes a degree of contact with all
members of the audience. The speaker avoids verbal distractors,
inappropriate language, and grammatical mistakes, and may have some trouble
with time limits, but is audible and clear. The question inspires some
questions. Transitions are more obvious but still present. Visual aids and
technology, if used, are well-designed but may not be integrated as smoothly
or thoroughly into the presentation. Handouts may be less polished but still
support the speaker. The speaker may seem slightly less sure of his/her
authority. The presentation is not as memorable, but would be acceptable in
a professional situation.
C This presentation is complete but hardly memorable. The speaker
shows some lack of confidence or knowledge, or may not connect with parts
(or all) of the audience, or may have trouble maintaining a clear and/or
audible flow of words. The organization and content are pedestrian,
requiring little effort on the audience=s
part, and the presentation inspires few if any questions. The flow may be
disjointed or missing. Visual aids may belabor the obvious; handouts may
merely repeat the visual aids, or contain errors or inaccuracies. The
speaker avoids most verbal distractors, inappropriate language, and
grammatical mistakes, but is definitely not polished and mature in
presentation. Technology may not be used smoothly. The audience may
concentrate at first, but then lose interest. The speaker may mismanage the
allotted time. The presentation would be marginally acceptable (but not
memorable or praiseworthy) in a professional situation.
D The presentation suffers from one or more of the following
weaknesses: serious problems in time management; inappropriate or
insufficient content; poor suitability to the audience; indications that
insufficient preparation time was spent; missing or misused handouts or
visual aids; grammatical mistakes; inappropriate language; frequent verbal
distractors; obvious evidence of nervousness; mumbling or inaudibility;
faulty or missing organization; or insufficient audience contact and
engagement. Handouts, visual aids, or technological assistance may contain
errors or inaccuracies, or be poorly handled by the speaker. The
presentation would not be acceptable in a professional situation.
F The presentation is totally unacceptable for one or more of the
following reasons: complete inaudibility or indecipherability; poor time
management; substantive problems in organization, content, audience
connection, use of visual aids and/or technology, or presentation; poor or
incorrect grammar or language choices. The presenter may obviously be Awinging
it.@
Handouts or visual aids may have been forgotten. It must be recast entirely
for a professional situation.
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