Writing Resources

Encyclopedia Entry Rubric

Biology

Student Name:     ________________________________

1 = Below Standard
2 = Approaching Standard
3 = At Standard
4 = Above Standard

Writing Style
  • Organization
    1. The information appears to be disorganized
    2.  Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.
    3.  Information is organized with paragraphs.

    4. Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs.

  • Style and Tone

    1. Entry is not of appropriate scientific level.  Information is either too simple or too difficult to understand.

    2. Entry is of a somewhat appropriate scientific level. 

    3. Entry is of the appropriate scientific level.  A general audience can understand the information.

    4. Entry is of the appropriate scientific level.  A general audience can understand the information and the descriptions are succinct.

  • Quality of Information

    1.  Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic.

    2. Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given.

    3. Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.

    4. Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples.

  • Diagrams & Illustrations (no figure included = 0)

    1.  Diagrams and illustrations are not accurate OR do not add to the reader's understanding of the topic.

    2. Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate, and add to the reader's understanding of the topic. 

    3. Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate, “attention-grabbing” and add to the reader's understanding of the topic.

    4. Diagrams and illustrations are neat, accurate, “attention-grabbing” and add to the reader's understanding of the topic. The figure has an appropriate legend and citation.

  • Mechanics
    1. Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

    2.  A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.

    3. Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

    4. No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

 Information Content
  • Factual Completeness
    1. The entry describes some aspects of the topic.  Information is limited in scope.
    2. The entry describes some aspects of the topic.  It provides an overview of information surrounding this organism.
    3. The entry describes all aspects of the topic.  It provides a detailed overview of a breadth of information surrounding this organism.
    4. The entry describes all aspects of the topic.  It provides a detailed, but concise overview of a breadth of information surrounding this organism.
  • Scientific Accuracy
    1. The science presented within the entry is not correct.
    2.  The science presented within the entry is correct, but not complete.  The reader has at least one lingering question. 
    3.  The science presented within the entry is correct and complete.  The reader is left with no lingering questions.

    4.  The science presented within the entry is correct, concise and complete.  The reader is left with no lingering questions.

  • Usefulness of Entry
    1. The entry is not helpful in guiding further research.

    2.  The entry provides the reader with a wide range of information.  Details are missing to guide further research.

    3. The entry provides the reader with a wide enough range of information allowing him/her to continue with more in depth research in more focused research. 

    4. The entry provides the reader with a wide enough range of information allowing him/her to continue with more in depth research in more focused research.  All keywords are reasonable and accurate.

  • Sources
    1. Some sources are not accurately documented. Scholarly information is not consulted.

    2.  All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format. Periodicals and non-refereed articles are used

    3. All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format. Mixture of refereed and non-refereed journal articles and conference presentations.

    4. All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format. Sources are refereed journal articles or refereed conference presentations.

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