| CATEGORY | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Knowledge Gained | Student demonstrates exceptional knowledge of the material shown in the map. | Student demonstrates partial knowledge of the material shown in the map. | Student shows partial knowledge of the material shown in the map. | Student demonstrates no knowledge of the material shown in the map. |