Creative Writing Forum Rubric

Throughout the year we will be using the forum as a way of practicing critical thinking and writing. Arguments and issues posted on the forum may be further examined by the class in discussion. The appropriate craft of writing terms and vocabulary of literary techniques will be discussed in class. The forum is the "playground" in which to try out your new "words" and ideas found in the reading you do for class.

Student writing should develop and organize ideas in clear, coherent, and persuasive language. Attention to precision and correctness is necessary. Try to avoid over-generalizations or repeating the arguments of others when commenting or critiquing texts.

Literary and Reader Responses on our forum will be graded using the rubric as follows:

5 (A): Wide ranging and effective vocabulary is used with denotative and connotative resourcefulness. Response shows an in-depth and accurate understanding of the text. Use of critical thinking and imaginative insight propels this response to an exemplar of fine literary criticism. Sentence structure is used artfully and effectively. Response uses specific and accurate rhetorical strategies and poetic techniques that balance illustrative detail taken from the text or passage. It is clear insight and effort went into the response.

4 (B): Effective and appropriate vocabulary is used to some success, although there may be some gaps or areas in need of improvement. Author uses some critical strategies, but these are not as thorough or insightful as above. Sentence structure is varied, but writing may contain grammar, syntax, logical fallacies, or rhetorical errors in part. Some attempt at illustrative detail, but writing is not as precise, accurate, or effective as scores indicated above. Some insight and effort went into response.

3 (C-C+): Appropriate literary vocabulary is used, although not as insightfully as responses above. Response shows a surface-level understanding of the text. Overall, these responses parrot other students or illustrate only a basic understanding of the work in question. Sentence structure needs improvement. Errors in grammar, syntax, logical fallacy, or rhetorical strategies weaken the logos, ethos, or pathos of this response. Textual detail is over generalized. Little insight or effort went into response.

2 (D): Literary vocabulary is lacking or used incorrectly. Response is muddled, unclear, or shows misunderstanding or misreading of a text or passage. Little or no new insight in the response. Writing is carelessly done or indicates below-grade-level prose style. No textual details used to support thesis. Very little effort went into response.

1 (F): Written Assignment on forum is missing. No work turned in by deadline