Writing Assignment Rubric
Note: Scholarly resources are defined as evidence-based practice, peer-reviewed journals; textbook
(do not rely solely on your textbook as a reference); and National Standard Guidelines. Review
assignment instructions, as this will provide any additional requirements that are not specifically listed
on the rubric.

Writing Assignment Rubric – 100 Points

Criteria Exemplary
Exceeds

Expectations

Advanced
Meets

Expectations

Intermediate
Needs Improvement

Novice
Inadequate

Content of
Paper

The writer
demonstrates a
well-articulated
understanding
of the subject
matter in a
clear, complex,
and informative
manner. The
paper content
and theories
are well
developed and
linked to the
paper
requirements
and practical
experience.
The paper
includes
relevant
material that
fulfills all
objectives of
the paper.

Follows the
assignment
instructions
around
expectations
for scholarly
references.
Uses scholarly
resources that
were not
provided in the
course
materials.

All instruction
requirements

The writer
demonstrates
an
understanding
of the subject
matter, and
components
of the paper
are accurately
represented
with
explanations
and
application of
knowledge to
include
evidence-
based
practice,
ethics, theory,
and/or role.
Course
materials and
scholarly
resources
support
required
concepts. The
paper
includes
relevant
material that
fulfills all
objectives of
the paper.

Follows the
assignment
instructions
around
expectations
for scholarly

The writer demonstrates
a moderate
understanding of the
subject matter as
evidenced by
components of the
paper being
summarized with
minimal application to
evidence-based
practice, theory, or role-
development. Course
content is present but
missing depth and or
development.

Does not follow the
assignment instructions
around expectations for
scholarly references.
Only uses scholarly
resources that were
provided in the course
materials.

Most instruction
requirements are noted.

23 points

Absent
application to
evidence-
based
practice,
theory, or role
development.
Use of course
content is
superficial.

Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding
of content
and/or
inadequate
preparation.

Content of
paper is
inaccurately
portrayed or
missing.

Does not
follow the
assignment
instructions
around
expectations
for scholarly
references.
Does not use
scholarly
resources.

Missing some
instruction
requirements.

20 points

noted.

30 points

references.

All instruction
requirements
noted.

26 points

Analysis
and

Synthesis of
Paper

Content and
Meaning

Through critical
analysis, the
submitted
paper provides
an accurate,
clear, concise,
and complete
presentation of
the required
content.

Information
from scholarly
resources is
synthesized,
providing new
information or
insight related
to the context
of the
assignment by
providing both
supportive and
alternative
information or
viewpoints.

All instruction
requirements
noted.

30 points

Paper is
complete,
providing
evidence of
further
synthesis of
course
content via
scholarly
resources.

Information is
synthesized
to help fulfill
paper
requirements.
The content
supports at
least one
viewpoint.

All instruction
requirements
noted.

26 points

Paper lacks clarification
or new information.
Scholarly reference
supports the content
without adding any new
information or insight.
The paper’s content
may be confusing or
unclear, and the
summary may be
incomplete.

Most instruction
requirements are noted.

23 points

Submission is
primarily a
summation of
the
assignment
without further
synthesis of
course
content or
analysis of
the scenario.

Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding
of content
and/or
inadequate
preparation.

Missing some
instruction
requirements.

Submits
assignment
late.

20 points

Application
of

Knowledge

The summary
of the paper
provides
information
validated via
scholarly
resources that
offer a
multidisciplinary
approach.

The student’s
application in
practice is
accurate and

A summary of
the paper’s
content,
findings, and
knowledge
gained from
the
assignment is
presented.

Student
indicates how
the
information
will be used

Objective criteria are not
clearly used, allowing
for a more superficial
application of content
between the assignment
and the broader course
content.

Student’s indication of
how they will apply this
new knowledge to their
clinical practice is
vague.

Most instruction

The
application of
knowledge is
significantly
lacking.

Student’s
indication of
how they will
apply this new
knowledge to
their clinical
practice is not
practical or
feasible.

plausible, and
additional
scholarly
resource(s)
supporting the
application is
provided.

All questions
posed within
the assignment
are answered
in a well-
developed
manner with
citations for
validation.

All instruction
requirements
noted.

30 points

within their
professional
practice.

All instruction
requirements
noted.

26 points

requirements are noted.

23 points
Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding
of content
and/or
inadequate
preparation.

Application of
knowledge is
incorrect
and/or
student fails
to explain
how the
information
will be used
within their
personal
practice.

Missing
several
instruction
requirements.

Submits
assignment
late.

20 points

Organization Well-organized
content with a
clear and
complex
purpose
statement and
content
argument.
Writing is
concise with a
logical flow of
ideas.

5 points

Organized
content with
an informative
purpose
statement and
supportive
content and
summary
statement.
Argument
content is
developed
with minimal
issues in
content flow.

4 points

Poor organization, and
flow of ideas distract
from content. Narrative
is difficult to follow and
frequently causes
reader to reread work.

Purpose statement is
noted.

3 points

Illogical flow
of ideas.
Missing
significant
content.
Prose
rambles.
Purpose
statement is
unclear or
missing.

Demonstrates
incomplete
understanding
of content
and/or
inadequate
preparation.

No purpose
statement.

Submits
assignment
late.

2 points

APA,
Grammar,

and Spelling

Correct APA
formatting with
no errors.

The writer
correctly
identifies
reading
audience, as
demonstrated
by appropriate
language
(avoids jargon
and simplifies
complex
concepts
appropriately).

Writing is
concise, in
active voice,
and avoids
awkward
transitions and
overuse of
conjunctions.

There are no
spelling,
punctuation, or
word-usage
errors.

5 points

Correct and
consistent
APA
formatting of
references
and cites all
references
used. No
more than two
unique APA
errors.

The writer
demonstrates
correct usage
of formal
English
language in
sentence
construction.
Variation in
sentence
structure and
word usage
promotes
readability.

There are
minimal to no
grammar,
punctuation,
or word-
usage errors.

4 points

Three to four unique
APA formatting errors.

The writer occasionally
uses awkward sentence
construction or
overuses/inappropriately
uses complex sentence
structure. Problems with
word usage (evidence of
incorrect use of
thesaurus) and
punctuation persist,
often causing some
difficulties with
grammar. Some words,
transitional phrases, and
conjunctions are
overused.

Multiple grammar,
punctuation, or word
usage errors.

3 points

Five or more
unique
formatting
errors or no
attempt to
format in
APA.

The writer
demonstrates
limited
understanding
of formal
written
language use;
writing is
colloquial
(conforms to
spoken
language).

The writer
struggles with
limited
vocabulary
and has
difficulty
conveying
meaning such
that only the
broadest,
most general
messages are
presented.

Grammar and
punctuation
are
consistently
incorrect.
Spelling
errors are
numerous.

Submits
assignment
late.

2 points

Total Points