Rubric for Writing

Ideas Organization Voice

Focused, clear, and specific; includes effective and Beginning, middle, and ending are present; text flows Writer’s connection to the topic is strong and
appropriate details logically clear
Topic is clear and important Beginning introduces topic Author cares strongly about the topic
Topic is focused and specific Ending feels finished Strong feelings
Interesting details support topic Parts arranged in the best order Direct statements
Purpose is clear and meaningful Effective transitions Writer demonstrates awareness of reader

Focus on topic is somewhat defined; includes some Noticeable beginning and ending; inconsistent Writer’s connection to the topic is somewhat
effective and appropriate details transitions clear
Topic is somewhat clear Beginning attempts to introduce topic Author cares somewhat about the topic
Topic is somewhat focused and specific Ending feels somewhat finished Somewhat strong, but less explicit feelings
Somewhat interesting details Parts not arranged in the best order – Somewhat direct statements
Purpose is somewhat clear Inconsistent use of transitions Writer demonstrates limited awareness of reader
Focus is unclear; supporting details are missing or No noticeable beginning or ending; transitions not Writer’s connection to topic is not clear
disconnected from topic used Author lacks care or involvement with topic
Topic is not clearly defined No real beginning Lacks feelings
Topic is not focused or specific Ending does not feel finished Lacks direct statements
Missing, limited, or disconnected details Parts missing or hard to follow Writer demonstrates no awareness of reader
Purpose is unclear No use of transitions Unable to score
Unable to score Unable to score
Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions
Specific, accurate language conveys message Sentences are varied and well built; easy to read Uses conventions appropriately
clearly All sentences are easy to understand Punctuation is accurate
Strong verbs inform actions Variety of sentence beginnings and length Capitalization is accurate
Effective adverbs Sentences are easy to read aloud Spelling is correct
Effective adjectives Variety of simple and compound sentences Grammar is correct
Accurate and effective words and/or phrases
Generic language conveys message adequately Sentences are clear but some are choppy or awkward; Most conventions used appropriately
Ordinary verb choice somewhat easy to understand Punctuation is mostly accurate
Adequate adverbs Most sentences are understandable Capitalization is mostly accurate
Adequate adjectives Some variety in sentence beginnings and length Spelling is mostly correct
Somewhat accurate and effective words and/or Some sentences are easy to read aloud Grammar mostly correct
phrases Some variety in simple and compound sentences
Limited language is difficult to understand Sentences are unclear and incomplete; not easy to read Numerous errors in conventions
Limited verb choice Sentences are not easy to understand Punctuation is frequently inaccurate
Ineffective adverbs Little or no variety in sentence beginnings or length Capitalization is frequently inaccurate
Ineffective adjectives Sentences are not easy to read aloud Spelling is often incorrect
Inaccurate or ineffective words and/or phrases No variety in simple and compound sentences Grammar is often incorrect
Unable to score Unable to score Unable to score