Heading includes title and date

Heading does not include date

Heading not included

Focus Question/Purpose clearly stated

Incomplete/unclear Focus Question

No Focus Question included

Prediction/Hypothesis clearly stated

Prediction/Hypothesis somewhat clearly stated

Prediction/Hypothesis not stated

Claims/Evidence clearly stated

Claims/Evidence somewhat clearly stated

Claims and/or evidence not stated

Title describes the data being displayed

Title does not describe the data being displayed

No title present

Each axis is labeled with a description of the data being plotted and the units of measurement

Each axis is labeled but units are missing.

Each axis is not labeled and units are missing

Independent variable is shown on the horizontal (X)axis  and the dependent variable on the vertical (Y) axis

Variables not shown on correct axis

Variables not identified

Data is plotted accurately on the graph

Data is mostly plotted accurately

Data is incorrectly plotted

Data table is complete

Incomplete data table

No data table included

Drawings are labeled accurately

Drawings are somewhat labeled accurately

Drawings are not labeled

Conventions: Correct spelling and Grammar

Occasional errors in grammar and spelling

Frequent errors in spelling and grammar

Appearance: Neat, presentable and colorful

Somewhat neatly done

Lacks neatness

Claims are clearly represented in a sentence format or a chart format

Claims are somewhat clearly stated in sentence format or in a chart format

Claims are not stated in a sentence format or in a chart format

Evidence is clearly supported by data

Evidence is somewhat clearly supported by data

Evidence is not included

Topic Sentence clearly restates the purpose of the investigation

Topic Sentence does not clearly restate the purpose of the investigation

No topic sentence

Claims are well presented

Claims are not well presented

Claims are not presented

The most important examples from the data/evidence support the claims

Some examples from the data/evidence support the claims

No data/evidence is included to support claims

Use of content related scientific words are underlined

Use of content related Scientific words are not underlined

Use of content related Scientific words are not included

Two sentences relate to hypothesis

One sentence  relates to hypothesis

No sentence relating to hypothesis

All paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Some paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Few paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Pronouns are not used

One or Two pronouns are used

More than two pronouns are used

Closing sentence briefly restates the purpose of the investigation, reminding the reader of the answer

Closing sentence does not include restating the purpose

No closing sentence

Conventions: Correct spelling and Grammar

Occasional errors in grammar and spelling

Frequent errors in spelling and grammar

Hypothesis referred to in topic sentence

Hypothesis referred to in topic

Hypothesis not referred to in topic sentence

All paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Some paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Few paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Neatly Done

Somewhat neatly done.

Lacks neatness

Name, group and date at top  of page

Name, group and date partially included at top  of page

Name, group and date not included  at top  of page

Heading Format includes title, author, source and date

Heading Format partially includes title, author, source and date

Heading Format does not include title, author, source and date

Side margins are present.

If typed, font size is 12-14 and it is double spaced.

Only one side margin is present.  Font size is too small/big and/or it is not double spaced.

No margins.  Poor font size and no double spacing.

Article is attached and highlighted

Article is attached and not highlighted

Article is not attached

Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are accurate.

Occasional errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization

Frequent errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization

Consistency of tense is present.

Tense is consistent throughout some of the piece.

No tense consistency.

All paragraphs are indented.  Paragraphing is accurate.

Some paragraphs are indented.  Paragraphing is somewhat accurate.

Paragraphs are not indented.  Paragraphing is not accurate.

Nouns and verbs agree.

Some errors in noun-verb agreement

Many errors in noun-verb agreement

Placement of modifying words/phrases is effective.

Placement of modifying words/phrases is somewhat effective.

Placement of modifying words/phrases is not very effective.

Body includes four-five paragraphs

Body includes three paragraphs

Body includes less than three paragraphs

All paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Some paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Few paragraphs contain at least 5-8 sentences.

Paragraphs are clearly and logically organized.

Paragraphs are adequately organized.

Paragraphs are not clearly organized.

All details are in sequential order.

Some details are in sequential order.

Few details are in sequential order.

Transitions are plentiful and consistently used effectively.

Some transitions are present and occasionally used effectively.

Few transitions are present and not used effectively.

Sentence structure is accurate.

(no fragments or run-ons)

Occasional errors in sentence structure.

Frequent errors in sentence structure.

Sentence beginnings are varied.

Some sentence beginnings are varied.

Sentence beginnings are not varied.

Sentences vary in length.

Sentences occasionally vary in length.

Sentences rarely vary in length.

Sentences are clear and enhance meaning.

Sentences are generally clear.

Sentences are not clear.

Two vocabulary terms included

One vocabulary term included

Vocabulary terms not included

Correct and complete Definition is included

Incorrect/incomplete Definition is included

No definition included

Includes Syllabication of both words

Includes Syllabication of  one word

Does not  Include Syllabication of either word

MLA is included and correctly formatted

MLA is included but not correctly formatted

MLA is not included