Essay grading and marking rubric

Syntax
5 No errors of grammar or word order.
4 Some errors of grammar or word order but communication not impaired.
3 Errors of grammar or word order fairly frequent; occasional re-reading necessary for full comprehension.
2 Errors of grammar or word order frequent; efforts of interpretation sometimes required on reader's part.
1 Errors of grammar or word order very frequent; reader often has to rely on own interpretation.
0 Errors of grammar or word order so severe as to make comprehension virtually impossible.
Vocabulary
5 Appropriate terms used consistently, clear command of vocabulary, no misspelled words.
4 Occasionally uses inappropriate terms or relies on circumlocution; expression of ideas not impaired; or a few misspelled words.
3 Uses wrong or inappropriate words fairly frequently; expression of ideas may be limited because of inadequate vocabulary.
2 Limited vocabulary and frequent errors clearly hinder expression of ideas.
1 Vocabulary so limited and so frequently misused that reader must often rely on own interpretation.
0 Vocabulary limitations so extreme as to make comprehension virtually impossible.
Organization
5 Material exceptionally well organized and connected.
4 Material well organized; links could occasionally be clearer but communication not impaired.
3 Some lack of organization; re-reading required for clarification of ideas.
2 Little or no attempt at connectivity, though reader can deduce some organization.
1 Individual ideas may be clear, but very difficult to deduce connection between them.
0 Lack of organization so severe that communication is seriously impaired.
Cohesion
5Consistent choices in cohesive structures.
4Occasional lack of consistency in choice of cohesive structures and vocabulary but overall ease of communication not impaired.
3'Patchy', with some cohesive structures or vocabulary items noticeably inappropriate to general style.
2 Cohesive structures or vocabulary items sometimes not only inappropriate but also misused; little sense of ease of communication.
1 Communication often impaired by completely inappropriate or misused cohesive structures or vocabulary items.
0 A 'hotchpotch' of half-learned misused cohesive structures and vocabulary items rendering communication almost impossible.
Content
5Fully complete and thorough answer to the task set.
4Relevant and adequate answer to the task set. Answers of less than 200 words will be penalized by dropping the score by one point from what would be appropriate for a full-length script.
3For the most part answers the tasks set, though there may be some gaps or redundant information.
2Answer of limited relevance to the task set. Possibly major gaps in treatment of topic and/or pointless repetition.
1The answer bears almost no relation to the task set. Inadequate answer.
0No evidence of assigned task.
[Proposed] Format
5Fully correct format: 12 point serif font, one inch margins, block paragraphs.
4Some minor errors in format such as font size or serif.
3Frequent errors in format.
2Substantive, frequent errors in format, such as text running off the page thus rendering the essay partially incoherent.
1Formatting errors so fundamental and pervasive as to render the essay unreadable and incomprehensible.
0Blank sheet of paper.