Conventions

Editing.  Conventions are the rules of language--Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar/Usage, Paragraphing, and Capitalization--that make your text correct and easy for others to read.  When  you follow the rules, readers don't need to waste energy mentally editing; they can pay attention to your clever ideas, creative organization, unique voice, vibrant word choice, and lyrical fluency.

Conventions are different from the first five traits (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency) because to improve those traits you have been learning how to revise--how to re-think and re-see your work.  Editing is fixing--making sure the text is as error-free as possible.  The purpose is to make your paper readable to someone else.  Sometimes mistakes in conventions get in the way and keep the reader from understanding your message.  They also irritate some readers - something no writer sets out to do deliberately!

Develop a proofreader's eye.  Check everything.  Then check it again.  It's often hard to spot your own mistakes.  Try reading aloud; it makes you slow down.  You may also find it helpful to have someone else look at your work.  Editing is a skill in itself--quite a bit different from writing.  To be a good editor you must practice.  Teach yourself to read slowly, and with care.  Be honest; dare to see what it is.

Conventions

5    Conventions are used effectively to enhance style and readability.

4    Solid grasp of conventions.  Few minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling and usage.

3    Control over limited range of conventions.  Errors in grammar, spelling, usage not serious.

2    Some errors in grammar, punct., spelling, capitalization and usage impair readability.

1    Frequent errors in grammar, punct., spelling, capitalization and usage.  Difficult to read.