Descriptive Essay Rubric

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Title Title is creative, sparks Title is related to the topic Title is present. No title present.
interest and is related to but needs to be more
the topic. creative.
Introduction The introduction is The introduction clearly The introduction states the There is no clear
(Organization) inviting, states the main states the main topic and main topic, but does not introduction of the main
topic, previews the previews the structure of adequately preview the topic or structure of the
structure of the paper, the paper, but is not structure of the paper nor is paper. No lead is used.
and includes a well- particularly inviting to the it particularly inviting to the
written, clever lead that is reader. A well-written reader. A lead is used but is
related to the essay’s lead is used to attract the not particularly attractive to
topic which attracts the reader’s attention. the reader or does not
reader’s attention. relate to the topic.
Focus on There is one clear, well- Main idea is clear but the Main idea is somewhat The main idea is not
Topic focused topic. Main idea supporting information is clear but there is a need for clear. There is a
stands out and is general. Topic sentences more supporting seemingly random
(Content) supported by detailed are used in each information. Topic collection of information.
information. Well-written paragraph. sentences are used in most Topic sentences appear
topic sentences are used paragraphs. in few or none of the
in each 5-7 sentence paragraphs.
paragraph.
Supporting Several relevant, telling, Supporting details and Supporting details and Supporting details and
Information/ quality details give the information are relevant, information are relevant, information are typically
reader important but one key issue or part but several key issues or unclear or not related to
Details information that allow the of the description is are unsupported. There are the topic. There are no or
reader to picture, smell, unsupported. There are a details but they do not help barely any vivid details in
feel, hear or imagine few vivid details in the the reader imagine they the essay.
tasting things described. essay. are involved.
Adding The writer seems to be The writer seems to be The writer relates some of The writer has not tried
Personality writing from knowledge or drawing on knowledge or his own knowledge or to transform the
experience. The author experience, but there is experience, but it adds information in a personal
(Voice) has taken the ideas and some lack of ownership nothing to the discussion of way.
made them "his/her own." of the topic. the topic.
Sentence All sentences are well- Most sentences are well- Most sentences are well- Sentences do not have
Structure constructed without using constructed with constructed but some are structure and are
repetitive ideas complete thoughts. run-ons or are not incomplete or rambling.
throughout. descriptive.
Sequencing Details and transition Details and transition Some details and transition Many details are not in a
(Organization) words and phrases are words and phrases are words and phrases are not logical or expected order.
placed in a logical order placed in a logical order, in a logical or expected There is little sense that
and the way they are but the way in which they order, and this distracts the the writing is organized.
presented effectively are presented makes the reader. The transitions between
keeps the interest of the writing less interesting. ideas are unclear or non-
reader. existent.
Conclusion The conclusion is strong The conclusion is The conclusion is There is no clear
(Organization) and leaves the reader recognizable and ties up recognizable, but does not conclusion, the paper just
with a feeling that he/she almost all the loose ends. tie up several loose ends. ends.
understands the writer’s
point of view.
Grammar & Writer makes no errors in Writer makes 1-2 errors Writer makes 3-4 errors in Writer makes more than
Spelling grammar, punctuation, or in grammar, punctuation, grammar, punctuation, or 4 errors in grammar,
spelling. or spelling. spelling. punctuation, or spelling.
Revision Writer has revised Writer has revised Writer has revised but Writer has only revised
thoughtfully with multiple thoughtfully but 1 or 2 several issues remain. spelling and grammar
changes that add to the issues remain. issues, there was no
ideas or clarity of the revision, or original copy
writing. was not submitted.
Form/Neatness Essay is appropriate Essay is neatly Essay is not particularly Essay is not neatly
length and is neatly handwritten in blue or neatly handwritten in blue handwritten in blue or
handwritten in blue or black ink, or is neatly or black ink, or is neatly black ink, or is not neatly
black ink with few or no typed in black ink in typed in black ink in a non- typed, with a number of
cross-outs or excessive Times New Roman Font requested font or font size. cross-outs, messy use of
use of white-out, or is size 12. white-out, or is
neatly typed in black ink written/typed in ink that
in Times New Roman is hard to read.
Font size 12.