General Rubric for Writing Categories 5 4 3 2 1 Ideas and Fresh, original Clear, focused, Evident main Some attempt Writing lacks Content treatment of interesting idea with some to support, but a central idea; ideas; ideas with supporting main theme development appropriate details; may may be too in minimal or theme from details that lack focus or general or non-existant. start to finish, enhance the contain bits of confused by with relevant, main idea. irrelevant irrelevant strong material or gaps details. supporting in needed detail. information. Organization Effectively Structure moves Organization is An effort has A lack of organized in a the reader appropriate, but been made to structure logical and smoothly conventional. organize the makes this creative way; through the There is an piece, but it piece hard to has a unique text; well obvious attempt may be a “list” follow. Lead and engaging organized with at an of events. The and introduction an inviting introduction introduction conclusion and conclusion. introduction and conclusion. and conclusion may be weak and a satisfying are not well or closure. developed. Voice Passionate, Expressive, Voice is Voice may be Writing tends compelling, engaging, generally mechanical or to be flat or energetic; sincere tone appropriate to erratic. The lifeless. Style shows emotions that speaks to audience and writer seems to does not suit such as humour, the reader. The purpose. Tone is lack a sense of audience or honesty, writer behind pleasant, but audience. purpose. pathos, the words not distinctive; suspense or comes through may have liveliness; clearly. `sparks` of strong sense of interest or audience and emotion. purpose. Word Choice Carefully chose Word choice is Words are likely Word choice is Vocabulary words convey functional and to be correct, monotonous; ranges is strong, fresh, appropriate. but lack flair. may be limited and vivid images The writer has The writer may repetitious or may be consistently made some overuse immature. The inappropriate. throughout the attempt at generalised writer uses piece. description, words and patterns of which modifiers. conversation sometimes may rather than see overdone. book language.
General Rubric for Writing Categories 5 4 3 2 1 Ideas and Content Fresh, original treatment of ideas; theme from start to finish, with relevant, strong supporting detail. Clear, focused, interesting ideas with appropriate details that enhance the main idea. Evident main idea with some supporting details; may lack focus or contain bits of irrelevant material or gaps in needed information. Some attempt to support, but main theme may be too general or confused by irrelevant details. Writing lacks a central idea; development in minimal or non-existant. Organization Effectively organized in a logical and creative way; has a unique and engaging introduction and conclusion. Structure moves the reader smoothly through the text; well organized with an inviting introduction and a satisfying closure. Organization is appropriate, but conventional. There is an obvious attempt at an introduction and conclusion. An effort has been made to organize the piece, but it may be a “list” of events. The introduction and conclusion are not well developed. A lack of structure makes this piece hard to follow. Lead and conclusion may be weak or Voice Passionate, compelling, energetic; shows emotions such as humour, honesty, pathos, suspense or liveliness; strong sense of audience and purpose. Expressive, engaging, sincere tone that speaks to the reader. The writer behind the words comes through clearly. Voice is generally appropriate to audience and purpose. Tone is pleasant, but not distinctive; may have `sparks` of interest or emotion. Voice may be mechanical or erratic. The writer seems to lack a sense of audience. Writing tends to be flat or lifeless. Style does not suit audience or purpose. Word Choice Carefully chose words convey strong, fresh, vivid images consistently throughout the piece. Word choice is functional and appropriate. The writer has made some attempt at description, which sometimes may see overdone. Words are likely to be correct, but lack flair. The writer may overuse generalised words and modifiers. Word choice is monotonous; may be repetitious or immature. The writer uses patterns of conversation rather than book language. Vocabulary ranges is limited and may be inappropriate.
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