Ideas and content: Lively, interesting, & memorable writing keeps the reader's attention.
Ideas are supported by details
•Writer knows topic really well
• Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion all included.
•Many interesting details
• Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion all included.
•Writer knows the topic
•Most details fit & are interesting
•Missing ONE or more of the following: Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion
•Writer doesn’t know enough about the topic
•Needs more details
•Missing TWO or more of the following: Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion
•Writer doesn't know topic
•Details lacking
•Ideas missing or don't make sense
Organization: Introduction is inviting.
Ideas & important details & paragraphs fit where placed. Transitions used effectively between ideas & paragraphs
Ending is effective
•Carefully organized with varied transitions
•Lead grabs reader's attention
•Conclusion works well
•Details & paragraphs are in right order
•Has some transitions
•Most parts of paper fit together.
•Most details & paragraphs are in right order
•Few transitions used
•Too many details are out of order
•Paragraphs and/or transitions missing
•Too many details are out of order
Voice: The reader feels the author's emotions. Writing sounds real & has personality
•Writer's personality comes through in a special way
•Writer's voice is lively & confident
• Most of the time the writer's voice & personality show up in the writing.
•Sometimes the writer's voice comes through
•Writing does not draw the reader in
•Writing is flat
•Writer's voice does not come through at all
Word Choice: Writer uses appropriate descriptive vocabulary
•Has a variety of strong words
•Words create vivid pictures in reader's mind
•Writing has some strong words
•Some words create pictures in the reader's mind
•Too many dull, ordinary words
•Some words just don't fit
• Words don't show the writer's meaning
•Reader is confused by the writer's choice of words
Sentence Fluency: The writing flows. Writer uses different beginnings & lengths for sentences
•Has creative sentences of different kinds & lengths
•Sentences flow, making the writing enjoyable to read
•Sentences are different lengths
•Sentences have varied beginnings
•Sentences fit together well
•Sentences are too short or too long
•Same beginnings used over and over
•Reader is confused & has to re-read for meaning
•Not enough complete sentences
•Writing does not make sense
Conventions: The writer shows a clear understanding of capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar
•Has FEW or NO errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar
•Writing is easy to read
•Has FEW errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar
•Sounds correct when read aloud
•Too many errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar make the writing difficult to read Editing needed
•Capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar mistakes make the writing impossible to read & understanding.
•Major editing needed
Content & Format Rubric
Lively, interesting, & memorable writing keeps the reader's attention.
Ideas are supported by details
• Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion all included.
•Many interesting details
•Writer knows the topic
•Most details fit & are interesting
•Writer doesn’t know enough about the topic
•Needs more details
•Writer doesn't know topic
•Details lacking
•Ideas missing or don't make sense
Introduction is inviting.
Ideas & important details & paragraphs fit where placed. Transitions used effectively between ideas & paragraphs
Ending is effective
•Lead grabs reader's attention
•Conclusion works well
•Details & paragraphs are in right order
•Most parts of paper fit together.
•Most details & paragraphs are in right order
•Too many details are out of order
•Too many details are out of order
The reader feels the author's emotions. Writing sounds real & has personality
•Writer's voice is lively & confident
•Writing does not draw the reader in
•Writer's voice does not come through at all
Writer uses appropriate descriptive vocabulary
•Words create vivid pictures in reader's mind
•Some words create pictures in the reader's mind
•Some words just don't fit
•Reader is confused by the writer's choice of words
The writing flows. Writer uses different beginnings & lengths for sentences
•Sentences flow, making the writing enjoyable to read
•Sentences have varied beginnings
•Sentences fit together well
•Same beginnings used over and over
•Reader is confused & has to re-read for meaning
•Writing does not make sense
The writer shows a clear understanding of capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar
•Writing is easy to read
•Sounds correct when read aloud
•Major editing needed