Writing Rubric (Grades 5-6)

Writing is scored on a 4-point scale using the following criteria:

4=

• Focuses on the topic, clearly addresses the purpose (mode), and has ample supporting details.
• Has a logical organizational patter that demonstrates a sense of flow and conveys a sense of completeness and wholeness
• Uses language effectively by exhibiting word choices that are appropriate to the subject, purpose and intended audience
• Includes sentences of varied length and structure and exhibits the use of complete sentences except where purposeful phrases or clauses are used for effect
• Demonstrates correct usage, punctuation, capitalization and correctly spells commonly used words
• Varies writing style according to purpose
• (A four-point response may go beyond requirements of the prompt)

3=

• Relates to the topic, generally addresses the purpose (mode) and has adequate supporting details
• Has a logical order that demonstrates a sense of flow and a sense of wholeness and completeness, although some lapses may occur
• Includes word choices that are appropriate to the subject, purpose and intended audience
• Includes sentences that are somewhat varied in length and type
• For the most part, exhibits the use of complete sentences except where purposeful phrases or clauses are sued for effect.
• Some errors in sentence structure may occur, but they do not impede communication
• Follows the conventions of usage, punctuation, and capitalization and correctly spells commonly used words
• Any errors that occur do not impede communication
• Generally varies writing style according to purpose

2=

• Demonstrates an awareness of the topic, but may include extraneous or loosely related material
• Demonstrates an attempt to address the purpose (mode) and includes some supporting details
• Shows an attempt at an organizational pattern, but exhibits little sense of flow or completeness
• Has limited and predictable vocabulary and makes word choices which may not show an awareness of audience, purpose or subject
• Contains errors in sentence structure and usage that limit its readability
• Demonstrates some knowledge of capitalization, punctuation and spelling of commonly used words
• Contains an attempt to vary writing style according to purpose

1=

• Is only slightly related to topic and offers few supporting details
• May or may not attempt to address the purpose
• Has little evidence of an organizational pattern
• Has limited or inappropriate vocabulary that obscures meaning and shows little or no awareness of audience, purpose or subject
• Demonstrates little knowledge of basic punctuation, capitalization and the correct spelling of commonly used words
• Contains errors in sentence structure and usage that impede readability
• Show little or no attempt to vary writing style according to purpose

NS=An N/S (nor scorable) is assigned if there is not response or if the response is unreadable illegible, off task or writing in a language other than English.