Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho

CRITERIA for Environmental Writing: English 316

1. Content
            * Useful (Purposeful)
                        --meets the reader’s needs
                        --answers the reader’s questions
                        --meets the writer’s needs

            * Clear
                        --easy to understand
                        --not ambiguous
                        --facts explained in terms of the main point
                        --focus on a main point

            * Accurate
                        --well researched
                        --provides facts
                        --valid, reliable (grounded in the real world)
                        --unbiased and fair ç no “preaching to the choir”
                        --sources acknowledged

            * Complete
                        --stands on its own
                        --provides pertinent information

            * Personal engagement

            * Creative non-fiction techniques (see p. 2)
                        --narration                                           
                        --characterization
                        --setting

2. Organization
            *Logical order of ideas
            *Clear order of ideas
            *Paragraphs focus on one purpose (topic sentences?)
            *Transitions help the reader

3. Sentence style
            *Concise
            *Clear
            *Correct
            *Polished, varied, use of rhetorical conventions
            * Voice and tone consistent, pleasing or interesting to the reader, candid, shows a  careful observer

 4. Format

è  REMEMBER: Writing is for readers  ç

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