COMPOSITION EVALUATION RUBRIC

WRITING
RUBRIC

FOCUS

ORGANIZATION

WORD CHOICE

MECHANICS

Idea and content

The flow of the paper

The choice of words used

Grammar, capitalization,
spelling, paragraphing

Excellent

Strong sense of
focus:
- Original ideas
- Shows insight
- Reasonably clear

Good

Clear sense of
focus:
- Easy to see where
headed
- Blend original
with predictable
reasonably clear
ideas

Fair

Limited focus:
- Some repetition
- Has begun to
define topic

Flows logica11y and

smoothly from
beginning to end:
- Thoughtful
transitions
- Compelling
presentation
- Who1e writing
supports main focus
Flows reasonably
well from beginning
to end:
- Sequence is logical
- Transitions usually
work well
- Usually supports
main point

Vivid, supportive
details which move
reader through the
piece:
- Words are correct and
advanced for level
- Vocabulary is 100%
control of the writer

Error free:
- Excellent grasp of
writing mechanics
- Usage and grammar
correct
- Writing is complex

Clear, supportive
details:
- Words are correct and
adequate for level
- Uses active verbs
- Few words used out of
control

Generally free of
mechanical errors:
- Most grammar and
usage correct
- Punctuation usua11y
accurate
- Minor corrections
needed

Confusing or
difficult to follow:
- Confusing
connections
- Hard to follow

Inc1udes trite,
ordinary details:
- Some words used
incorrectly
- Some loss of control
with vocabulary
- Vocabulary
appropriate for level but

Some mechanical
errors which do not
detract from content:
- Usage problems will
distort meaning but
readable to a
sympathetic reader
- Punctuation usually

SENTENCE
STRUCTURE
Sentence type, length, and
variations

Variety in sentence
structure and
sentence beginnings:
- Purposeful sentence
beginnings
- Sentences vary in
length and structure
- Sentences are well
built
Variety in sentence
structure:
- Sentences work
together
- Some variation in
sentence length and
structure
- Beginnings not all
alike
Simple and
compound sentences:
- Some variations in
sentence types
- Generally short
sentences
- Paper is readable

VOICE
The personality of the
paper

Characterized by
a distinctive and
compelling voice:
- Individualistic
- Expressive

Characterized by
an emerging,
natural voice:
- Pleasing
- Honest ,
appealing
- Tone appropriate
for purpose
Characterized by
sincerity but has
little personality:
- Pleasant
- General ideas
- Aware of
audience

COMPOSITION EVALUATION RUBRIC

below average

Weak

No or unclear
focus:
- Repetitious
- Random thoughts
- Disconnected to
theme

Confusing or
difficult to follow:
- Confusing
connections
- Hard to follow

Unscoreable

- Is blank
- Is illegible
- Is not written in
English
- It is an inadequate
attempt to respond
to prompt

- Is blank
- Is illegible
- Is not written in
English
- It is an inadequate
attempt to respond to
prompt

Lacks sufficient
supporting details:
- Vocabulary below
level
- Redundant
- Words used
incorrectly and out of
writers control, vague
- Is blank
- Is illegible
- Is not written in
English
- It is an inadequate
attempt to respond to
prompt

correct
- Spelling usually
correct or reasonably
phonetic
Contains mechanical
errors which detract
from content:
- Grammar or usage
errors very noticeable
- Punctuation missing
- Frequent spelling
errors
- Is blank
- Is illegible
- Is not written in
English
- It is an inadequate
attempt to respond to
prompt

Contains many
Characterized by
fragments and / or
lack of fee ling or
run-on sentences:
attitude
- Endless connectives
- Most sentences
begin the same way
- Sentences need work
- Is blank
- Is illegible
- Is not written in
English
- It is an inadequate
attempt to respond to
prompt

- Is blank
- Is illegible
- Is not written in
English
- It is an inadequate
attempt to respond
to prompt