CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Neatness of Color and Lines	All straight lines are ruler-drawn, all errors have been neatly corrected and all features are colored completely.	All straight lines are ruler-drawn, most errors have been neatly corrected and most features are colored completely.	Most straight lines are ruler-drawn, most errors have been neatly corrected and most features are colored completely.	Many lines, corrections of errors, and/or features are not neatly done.
Spelling/Capitalization	95-100% of words on the map are spelled and capitalized correctly.	94-85% of the words on the map are spelled and capitalized correctly.	84-75% of the words on the map are spelled and capitalized correctly.	Less than 75% of the words on the map are spelled and/or capitalized correctly.
Knowledge Gained	When shown a blank base map, the student can rapidly and accurately label at least 10 features.	When shown a blank base map, the student can rapidly and accurately label 8-9 features.	When shown a blank base map, the student can rapidly and accurately label 6-7 features.	When shown a blank base map, the student can rapidly and accurately label fewer than 6 features.
Color Choices	Student always uses color appropriate for features (e.g. blue for water; black for labels, etc.) on map.	Student usually uses color appropriate for features (e.g. blue for water; black for labels, etc.).	Student sometimes uses color appropriate for features (e.g. blue for water; black for labels, etc.).	Student does not use color appropriately.
Shading	Student always uses consistent shading to show differences among data (eg., black for dense population; gray for moderate population, etc.).	Student usually uses consistent shading to show differences among data (eg., black for dense population; gray for moderate population, etc.).	Shading varies somewhat in intensity but is still adequate to show differences among data (eg., black for dense population; gray for moderate population, etc.).	Student does not use shading or it is done in a way that is NOT adequate to show differences among data.
Labels - Accuracy	At least 90% of the items are labeled and located correctly.	80-89% of the items are labeled and located correctly.	79-70% of the items are labeled and located correctly.	Less than 70% of the items are labeled and located correctly.
Scale	All features on map are drawn to scale and the scale used is clearly indicated on the map.	Most features on map are drawn to scale and the scale used is clearly indicated on the map.	Many features of the map are NOT drawn to scale even though a scale is clearly indicated on the map.	Many features of the map are NOT drawn to scale AND/OR there is no scale marker on the map.
Labels & Features - Neatness	90-100% of the labels/features can be read easily.	89-80% of the labels/features can be read easily.	79-70% of the labels/features can be read easily.	Less than 70% of the labels/features can be read easily.
Map Legend/Key	Legend is easy-to-find and contains a complete set of symbols, including a compass rose.	Legend contains a complete set of symbols, including a compass rose.	Legend contains an almost complete set of symbols, including a compass rose.	Legend is absent or lacks several symbols.
Title	Title tells the purpose/content of the map, is clearly distinguishable as the title (e.g. larger letters, underlined, etc), and is printed at the top of the map.	Title tells the purpose/content of the map and is printed at the top of the map.	Title tells the purpose/content of the map, but is not located at the top of the map.	Purpose/content of the map is not clear from the title.