"Student Friendly" PSSA Writing Rubric
Category
Focus
Content
Organization
Style
Conventions
4 Advanced
3 Proficient
2 Basic
Sometimes my writing
My writing is clear and
moved away from the main
completely answers all
point of focus of the
My writing is not clear and
parts of the prompt. I did
prompt. Sometimes my
I drifted away from the
not forget or lose the main details din not relate to the
prompt.
idea when I added details. prompt and made my ideas
confusing.
I used important details
I used some details to
and information. I
support my topic but I
I need to use more details
developed my ideas and
needed to add more
to make my writing
made sure all of my
information and supporting
complete.
sentences connecte to the
details.
prompt.
I did not organize my
I need to put my story in
I wrote a strong
response. I was missing
order. I need to strengthen
introduction, body, and
paragraphs. My writing
all portions of my
conclusion. I used
seems more like an outline
response. I need to use
appropriate transitions to
than complete paragraphs.
mor transition words to
connect my ideas.
I did not use transition
make my ideas flow.
words.
Most words address the
I used descriptive words
prompt. I should choose a
that help readers "see" my
I used few descriptive
wider variety of words. I
ideas. My senteces varied
words. I had little sentence
did not use different types
in lenth, word usage, and
variety. The tone and voice
of sentences. Tone and
structure. My tone and
are not consistent.
voice are not always
voice are consistent.
consistent.
I made a few errors in
I had few, if any, errors in
I had many mistakes in
spelling, grammar, and
spelling, grammar, and
spelling, grammar, and
punctuation, but my
punctuation. My writing is
punctuation. Sometimes
meaning is still clear and
neat and legible.
my writing is hard to read.
understandable.
1 Below Basic
I did not stay focused on
the topic or prompt. My
writing is very difficult to
understand when I re-read
my work or when someone
else reads my work.
I did not use details or
ideas to support my topic
or response.
I had no introduction,
body, or conclusion. I have
many mixed-up ideas. I did
not use transition words.
I used no descriptive
words. My sentences all
begin with the same word
or are not complete. There
is no consisten tone or
voice.
My writing has so many
mistakes that it is difficult
to read or understand.