8/4/2019 Writing Rubric Grade 5 2011-12

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Seven Point Writing Rubric

7

Exceptional

6

Strong

5

Effective

4

Expanding

3

Developing

2

Emerging

1

Experimenting

Ideas: The meaning

and development of

the message

Unique treatment oftopic

In-depthunderstanding of

topic

Unusual details gobeyond the obvious

Makes connections,shares insights

effectively

Narrow andmanageable topic

Clear and focused;answers readers

questions

Relevant, accuratedetails enrich theme

Shows insight intotopic

Topic fairly narrowed New ways of thinking

about topic

attempted

Credible details withsome support

Writer understandstopic

General topic defined Reasonably clear

ideas

Details present butnot precise

Shows some specifics

Makes reference totopic

Attempts to provideenough information

One or two detailspresent

Hints at topic Reader left with many

unanswered

questions

Sporadic details Glimmer of main

point

Searching for a topic Limited information Vague details Random thoughts

Organization: The

internal structure of

the piece

Introduction andconclusion are unique

and connected

Masterful sequencing Artful pacing used for

stylistic effect

Structure showcasescentral ideas or

theme

Inviting introductionand satisfying

conclusion

Effective sequencing Pacing is creative Structure begins to

reveal theme

Effective lead andconclusion

Sequencing workswell

Well controlledpacing

Common structureshave smooth flow

Routine lead andconclusion

More logicalsequencing

Pacing generallyunder control

Common structuresdetract from content

Lead or conclusion isweak

More transitionsneeded

Attempts at structureare evident

Ineffective lead andconclusion

Some sequencingapparent

Pacing awkward Some attempt at

structure

No lead or conclusion Sequencing not

present

No awareness ofpacing

Hard to follow

Voice: The way the

writer brings the

topic to life

Compelling andengaging

Writer goes out on alimb

Displays ownership oftopic

Powerful purposeshows commitment

Interesting andinformative

Takes effective risks Reflects interest and

commitment topic

Purpose shows clarityand understanding

Writer occasionallyintrigues the reader

Pleasing; takes risks Engages reader most

of the time

Purpose consistent

Writer begins toconnect with thereader

Pleasing, yet safe Writer/reader

connection fades in

and out

Purpose inconsistent

Only beginning showsawareness ofaudience

Difficult tounderstand the

purpose of writing

Occasionally aware ofaudience

General statementsrequire reader

interpretation

Tries to engage Hints at purpose

No concern foraudience

Lifeless andmechanical

Flat or inappropriate Purpose not present

Word Choice: The

specific vocabulary

the writers uses to

convey meaning

Powerful, engagingjust right words

Wording is accurateand precise

Artful use of figurativelanguage

Words and phrasescreate lingeringimages

Precision with wordsand phrases

Wording workseffectively

Figurative language iseffective

Words and phrasescreate picture

Effective and creativeverbs and nouns

Wording mostlycorrect

Accurate use offigurative language

Words and phraseswork well

Some active verbsand precise nouns

A moment or two ofsparkle

Experiments withfigurative language

Words begin toembrace meaning

Use of regularcommon and proper

nouns

Only one or twointeresting words

used

Generally correctwords, but no spice

Language is functional Attempts use of

interesting words

Words convey generalmeaning

Vocabulary limited Simple words used

incorrectly

No figurativelanguage

Words do not conveymeaning

Sentence fluency:

The way the words

and phrases flow

throughout the text

Carefully honedcadences

Exquisitelyconstructed

sentences

Reading aloud is abreeze

Sentences enhancemeaning

Rhythm and flow feelnatural

Creative use ofsentence length and

structure

Invites expressivereading

Sentences relate andbuild upon one

another

Begins to have easyflow and rhythm

Strong and variedstructure

Oral readingencourages

expression in places

Sentences wellcrafted

Attempts compoundand complex

sentences

Sentences usuallyconnect

Parts invite oralreading

Sentences begin indifferent ways

All simple sentencesused correctly

Errors seen in order ofwords in sentences

Some simplesentences

Occasional connectingword use

Oral reading difficult Attempts variation in

sentence beginnings

Choppy, rambling,incomplete

No sentence sense Oral reading is not

possible

Repetitive beginnings

8/4/2019 Writing Rubric Grade 5 2011-12

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Conventions: The

mechanical

correctness of the

piece

Uses unique spellingsfor style

Stylistic use ofpunctuation/capitaliz

ation

Grammar and usagecontribute to clarity

and style

Paragraphing isstylistically effective

Spelling correct evenon more difficult

words

Accurate use ofpunctuation and

capitalization

Standard grammarand usage are under

control

Sound and creativeparagraphing

Few spelling errorseven on more difficult

words

Consistent use ofpunctuation and

capitalization

Grammar and usagecorrect

Correct use ofparagraphing

Spelling generallycorrect on basic

words

Routine punctuationand capitalization

Grammar errorsinfrequent

Consistentparagraphing

Spelling errorsincluded

Missing capital lettersand full stops

Attempts made inparagraphing

Spelling errors evenon easy words

Errors on basicpunctuation and

capitalization

Some usage andgrammar errors

Occasional use ofparagraphing

Spelling errorsimpede readability

Incorrect punctuationand capitalization

Many usage andgrammar errors

Lack of paragraphing

Presentation: Theoverall appearance

of the work

Handwriting showsuniform slant, spacing

and letter formation

White space and textwork in harmony

Graphic elements andtext are synchronized

and aligned

Overall appearance ispleasing

Handwriting isconsistent

Good balance ofspace and text

Effectively integratesgraphic elements

Overall appearancemakes it easy to read

Legible handwriting Spacing improves

clarity

Experiments withgraphic elements

Overall appearancesshows balance and

proportion

Handwriting mostlyreadable but

inconsistent

Attempts consistentspacing

Margins and headerseffective

Overall appearance isacceptable

Handwriting showsand attempt at

neatness

Margins and headersrequire assistance and

modeling

Overall appearance isdeveloping

Handwriting poor Some thought given

to spacing

Attempts at marginsand headers

Overall appearancedistracting

Handwritingunreadable

Random spacing orlack of spacing

Poor use of whitespace

Overall appearanceunacceptable

Text type: Text is independentlyand precisely

constructed according

to the conventions of

the text type. Itdemonstrates

excellent principles of

design in an

intentional and

consistent format.

Text accuratelyconstructed according

to the conventions of

the text type. It

demonstrates strongprinciples of design in

an intentional and

consistent format.

Text is constructedaccording to most of

the conventions of

the text type. It

demonstrates goodprinciples of design.

Text is accuratelyconstructed according

to some of the

conventions of the

text type.

Some attempt hasbeen made to

construct the text

according to the

conventions of thetext type.

Teacher assistancerequired to construct

the text according to

the conventions of

the text type.

There is no structureor organization to the

text.

Self Reflection

Comments

Peer Comments

Teacher Comments