Business Writing Scoring Guide
Level Scores
Level scores are used in matching job criteria.
Score 5
A paper at this highest level has well-developed ideas elaborated with relevant supporting examples and specific details. The writing shows insight. The organization is smooth and maintains clear and consistent focus from beginning to end. Transitions are varied and effective, creating a seamless flow of ideas. Sentences are varied in length and complexity. Word choice is precise and varied. The style and tone are appropriate for a business setting. Minor and/or infrequent errors in grammar and/or mechanics, if present, do not interfere with communication.
Score 4
A paper at this level has most of the ideas well developed with relevant supporting examples and details. The writing is organized and maintains consistent focus. Transitions are effective, if not especially varied. Sentences are generally varied in length and complexity. Word choice shows some precision and variety. The style and tone are consistent with standard business English. Relatively minor and/or infrequent errors in grammar and/or mechanics do not interfere with communication.
Score 3
A paper at this level has adequate development of ideas but is limited in depth and thoroughness. Supporting examples tend to be general and details are relevant, but they may be repetitive. The writing is generally organized but may have minor lapses in focus. Transitions are simple. Sentences are usually correct, with some variety and complexity attempted. Word choice is generally clear and correct but may be repetitive and/or informal. The style and tone are consistent with standard business English but may be overly casual. Some errors in grammar and mechanics are apparent but do not interfere with communication. Basic spelling is correct.
Score 2
A paper at this level has thinly developed ideas that are not expanded and may be presented as a list. Although some organization is evident, the focus is unclear and/or inconsistent. Few or no transitions are used. Sentences are often simple or repetitive, with some noticeable errors in construction. Word choice is limited, often repetitive, and sometimes incorrect. The style and tone may be inconsistent with standard business English. Significant errors in grammar and/or mechanics interfere with communication.
Score 1
A paper at this level has little or no development or support. Any development is extremely simple and/or repetitive. No organization is evident. Sentences lack variety, and construction errors seriously impede understanding. Word choice is poor and interferes with communication. The style and tone are inconsistent with standard business English. Errors in grammar and mechanics are frequent, severe, and seriously interfere with communication.
Score 0
Off-topic, offensive or strongly inappropriate language (may include profanity and/or threats), or written in a language other than English. May be blank or too brief to evaluate.
Analytic Scores
The analytic scores provide additional, supportive information for use by the examinee, educators and career coaches/trainers.
- Development of Content measures the degree to which the response includes examples and details that develop the main ideas.
- Organization/Focus measures the degree to which the response is clearly and logically organized and consistently maintains focus.
- Word Choice/Tone/Style measures the extent to which the word choice is clear, varied, and precise and tone and style are business-appropriate.
- Grammar/Usage/Word Order/Word Form measures the extent to which errors in grammar, usage, word order, and word form interfere with communication.
- Spelling/Punctuation/Capitalization measures the extent to which errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization interfere with communication.