CLA+ Scoring Rubric 1 2 3 4 5 6

Analysis and Problem Solving May state or imply a States or implies a States or implies a States an explicit States an explicit States an explicit
decision/conclusion/ position decision/conclusion/ position decision/conclusion/position decision/conclusion/ position decision/conclusion/ position decision/conclusion/ position
Making a logical decision or
conclusion (or taking a position) Provides minimal analysis as Provides analysis that addresses Provides some valid support, but Provides valid support that Provides strong support that Provides comprehensive
support (e.g., briefly addresses a few ideas as support, some of omits or misrepresents critical addresses multiple pieces of addresses much of the relevant support, including nearly all of
and supporting it by utilizing
only one idea from one which is inaccurate, illogical, information, suggesting only relevant and credible and credible information, in a the relevant and credible
appropriate information (facts, document) or analysis is entirely unreliable, or unconnected to the superficial analysis and partial information in a manner that manner that demonstrates very information, in a manner that
ideas, computed values, or salient inaccurate, illogical, unreliable, or decision/conclusion/ position comprehension of the demonstrates adequate analysis good analysis and demonstrates outstanding
features) from the Document unconnected to the documents and comprehension of the comprehension of the analysis and comprehension of
Library decision/conclusion/ position documents; some information is documents the documents
May not account for contradictory
omitted
information (if applicable) Thoroughly refutes contradictory
Refutes contradictory information
May attempt to address or alternative evidence or alternative
contradictory information or decisions/conclusions/ positions decisions/conclusions/ positions
alternative decisions/ (if applicable) (if applicable)
conclusions/ positions (if
applicable)

Writing Effectiveness Does not develop convincing Provides limited, invalid, Provides limited or somewhat Organizes response in a way that Organizes response in a logically Organizes response in a logically
arguments; writing may be over‐stated, or very unclear unclear arguments. Presents makes the writer's arguments cohesive way that makes it fairly cohesive way that makes it very
Constructing organized and disorganized and confusing arguments; may present relevant information in each and logic of those arguments easy to follow the writer's easy to follow the writer's
logically cohesive arguments. information in a disorganized response, but that information is apparent but not obvious arguments arguments
Does not provide elaboration on
Strengthening the writer's position facts or ideas
fashion or undermine own points not woven into arguments
by providing elaboration on facts Provides valid elaboration on Provides valid elaboration on Provides valid and
Any elaboration on facts or ideas Provides elaboration on facts or facts or ideas several times and comprehensive elaboration on
facts or ideas related to each
or ideas (e.g., explaining how tends to be vague, irrelevant, ideas a few times, some of which cites sources of information argument and cites sources of facts or ideas related to each
evidence bears on the problem, inaccurate, or unreliable (e.g., is valid; sources of information argument and clearly cites
information
based entirely on writer's are sometimes unclear
providing examples, and sources of information
opinion); sources of information
emphasizing especially convincing are often unclear
evidence)

Writing Mechanics Demonstrates minimal control of Demonstrates poor control of Demonstrates fair control of Demonstrates good control of Demonstrates very good control Demonstrates outstanding
grammatical conventions with grammatical conventions with grammatical conventions with grammatical conventions with of grammatical conventions control of grammatical
Demonstrating facility with the many errors that make the frequent minor errors and some frequent minor errors few errors conventions
conventions of standard written response difficult to read or severe errors Consistently writes
English (agreement, tense, provides insufficient evidence to Writes sentences that read Writes well‐constructed well‐constructed sentences with Consistently writes
judge Consistently writes sentences naturally but tend to have similar sentences with some varied varied structure and length well‐constructed complex
capitalization, punctuation, and
with similar structure and length, structure and length structure and length sentences with varied structure
spelling) and control of the English Writes sentences that are and some may be difficult to Uses varied and sometimes and length
language, including syntax repetitive or incomplete, and understand Uses vocabulary that Uses vocabulary that clearly advanced vocabulary that
(sentence structure) and diction some are difficult to understand communicates ideas adequately communicates ideas but lacks effectively communicates ideas Displays adept use of vocabulary
(word choice and usage) Uses simple vocabulary, and but lacks variety variety that is precise, advanced, and
some vocabulary may be used varied
Uses simple vocabulary, and
inaccurately or in a way that
some vocabulary is used
makes meaning unclear
inaccurately or in a way that
makes meaning unclear

CAE 215 Lexington Avenue, Floor 16, New York, NY 10016 (212) 217-0700 [email protected] cae.org