6 Traits of Writing Rubric
6
5
4
3
2
Exemplary
Strong
Proficient
Developing
Emerging
Idea
Extraordinary,
Clear, focused, Evident main
Main idea may
Purpose may be
Development/ clear, focused;
interesting
idea; some
be cloudy;
unclear and
Purpose
Engaging, strong ideas with good support but
supporting
cluttered by
detail
details
may be limited
details are too
irrelevant
general or off
details.
topic
Organization
Effectively
Strong order
Organization is
Attempts to
Lacks structure;
organized,
and structure:
appropriate but organize; may
disorganized,
logical and
Inviting intro
conventional;
be a “list” of
hard to follow,
creative;
and satisfying
Attempted intro events;
missing or weak
Creative and
conclusion
and conclusion
Undeveloped
intro or
engaging intro
intro or
conclusion
and conclusion
conclusion
Voice
Expressive,
Appropriate to Evident
Voice may be
Writing seems
engaging,
audience and
commitment to inappropriate or flat or stiff
sincere, strong
purpose: The
topic, but may
nonexistent;
sense of
writer behind
have
Writing may
Little hint of the
audience, shows the words
inconsistencies
seem
writer behind
emotion
comes through.
mechanical.
the words.
Word Choice
Precise and
Descriptive,
Language is
Words may be
Monotonous,
carefully
broad range of functional or
correct but
repetitive,
chosen; strong,
words; word
appropriate;
mundane.
sometimes
fresh vivid
choice
Descriptions
No attempt at
inappropriate
images
energizes
may seem
deliberate
writing
overdone at
choice.
times
Sentence
High degree of
Easy flow and
Generally in
Some awkward
Often choppy,
Fluency
craftsmanship;
rhythm; Good
control with
sentence
frequent
sentence
variety
lapses in
structures.
fragments or
variation
variety.
Mainly similar
run ons
enhances
patterns or
writing
sentence
beginnings.
Conventions
Exceptionally
Strong control
Some control of Limited control of
Frequent,
conventions:
strong control of of most writing most writing
significant
Frequent errors that
writing
conventions;
conventions
errors may
do not interfere
conventions
few errors
occasional
with understanding. impede
errors
readability.
1
Beginning
Lacks central
idea;
development is
minimal
Confusing; lacks
coherence; No
obvious intro or
conclusion
Writing seems
lifeless/ No hint
of the writer
behind the
words
Limited range of
words; some
misused
vocabulary
Difficult to
follow or read
aloud; rambling,
confusing
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6 Traits of Writing Rubric