Writing Rubric Name____________

Content Organization Sentence Structure Vocabulary Conventions

5 *The exploration of the topic is *The introduction is engaging *Sentence structure is *Words and expressions are *The quality of the writing is
insightful and imaginative and establishes a focus that is effectively and consistently used accurately and deliberately enhanced because it is
*The purpose, whether stated or consistently sustained controlled *Precise words and expressions essentially error-free
implied, is deliberate *Events/ details are developed *Sentence type and length are are used to create vivid images *Any errors that are present do
*The ideas are perceptive or in paragraphs in judicious order; consistently effective and varied and to enrich details not reduce clarity and do not
carefully chosen coherence is maintained *Sentence beginnings are *The voice/tone created is interrupt the flow of the
*Supporting details are precise *Transitions fluently connect consistently varied convincing response
and original events/details within sentences
*The writing is confident and/or and between paragraphs
creative and holds the reader’s *Closure is effective and related
interest to the focus

4 *The exploration of the topic is *The introduction clearly *Sentence structure is *Words and expressions are *The quality of the writing is
adept or plausible establishes a focus that is consistently controlled often used accurately sustained because it contains
*The purpose, whether stated or capably sustained *Sentence type and length are *Specific words and only minor convention errors
implied, is intentional *Events/ details are developed usually effective and varied expressions show some *Any errors that are present do
*The ideas are thoughtful or in paragraphs in sensible order; *Sentence beginnings are often evidence of careful selection not reduce clarity and seldom
sound coherence is generally varied and some awareness of interrupt the flow of the
*Supporting details are relevant maintained connotative effect used to response
and specific *Transitions clearly connect create vivid images and to
*The writing is considered or events/details in sentences and enrich details
elaborate and draws the paragraphs *The voice/tone created is
reader’s interest *Closure is related to the focus distinct

3 *The exploration of the topic is *The introduction is functional *Sentence structure is generally *Words and expressions are *The quality of the writing is
clear or logical and establishes a focus that is controlled but lapses may generally used appropriately sustained through general
*The purpose, whether stated or generally sustained occasionally impede meaning *Precise words and expressions correct use of conventions
implied, is evident *Events/ details are developed *Sentence type and length are are used to adequately clarify *Errors occasionally reduce
*The ideas are appropriate or in paragraphs in discernable sometimes effective and varied meaning clarity and sometimes interrupt
predictable order; coherence may falter *Sentence beginnings are *The voice or tone created is flow of the response
*Supporting details are relevant *Transitions are mechanical consistently varied discernible but may be
but general. *Closure is related to the focus inconsistent
*The writing is straightforward but is mechanical
and/or generalized

2 *The exploration of the topic is *The introduction lacks *Sentence structure often lacks *Words and expressions *The quality of the writing is
tenuous/simplistic purpose/is not functional control which may impede generally convey only vague weakened by the frequent
*The purpose is vague *Events/ details are not clearly meaning meaning incorrect use of conventions
*The ideas are superficial or developed; coherence falters *Sentence type and length are *Imprecise words and *Errors blur clarity and interrupt
ambiguous frequently rarely effective or varied; run-on expressions predominate; the flow of the response
*Supporting details are *Transitions are ineffective sentences or fragments often specific words, if used, may be
imprecise or vague *Closure is abrupt and unrelated impede meaning awkwardly used
*The writing is to the focus *There is little variety in *The voice/ tone created is not
uncertain/incomplete sentence beginnings clearly established

1 *The exploration of the topic is *The introduction is obscure; no *Sentence structure generally lacks *Words and expressions convey only *The quality of the writing is impaired
minimal focus is established control, and this often impedes vague meanings by the consistently incorrect use of
*The purpose is incomprehensible *The development of details/events meaning *Overgeneralized words and conventions
*The ideas and details are is haphazard and incoherent * There is no variation in sentence expressions predominate; specific *Errors severely reduce clarity and
underdeveloped *Transitions are absent type and length; run-on sentences or words are misused impede the flow of the response
*The writing is confusing and *Closure is ineffectual/ missing fragments severely impede meaning *The voice or tone created is
underdeveloped *Sentence beginnings are discernible but may be inconsistent
consistently varied