Seven Traits of Writing Rubric
WOW!!
5
Almost
3
Not
Yet
1
Presentation
Voice
Ideas
 My piece is visually clear and pleasing to
the eye.
 My handwriting is neat, legible, and
consistent in form.
 There are no stray marks, crossouts, or
tears on the paper.
 My margins frame the text for easy
reading.
 I have the appropriate spacing between
words.
 My piece is readable, but not exactly a
“present”.
 Some parts of my handwriting are
easier tor read than others.
 Mostly clean, white paper with a few
holes, crumples, crossouts, and eraser
marks.
 My margins are inconsistent.
 I have put my personal, recognizable
stamp on this piece.
 You can tell that I care deeply about
this topic.
 My piece speaks clearly to the audience.
 My piece comes alive with honesty,
excitement, humor, or suspense.
 My point of view or opinion is clear.
 You know what I’m thinking and feeling.
 My piece is almost impossible to read.
 I have no margins.
 My handwriting is messy and illegible.
 I have many crossouts, holes, and tears
in my paper.
 I didn’t put much energy or personality
into this piece.
 You won’t learn much about me by
reading it.
 I guess I really didn’t want to write
this piece.
 My piece is clear, focused, and filled
with important details.
 My purpose for writing stands out.
 My piece is bursting with interesting
information. You can tell I know a lot
about my topic. When you start reading
you won’t want to stop.
 You can picture what I’m talking about.
I show things happening; I don’t just
tell you.
 My piece occasionally grabs your
attention, but it could use more catchy
details.
 I know just enough to write about this
topic, but more information would help
make it interesting.
 Some details are things most people
already know.
 My topic is too big. I’m trying to tell
too much. Sometimes I get off my
topic.
 It’s hard to picture what I’m talking
about. The reader might get bored.
 I’m just figuring out what I would to
say.
 I’m still thinking on paper. My purpose
for writing isn’t at all clear.
 I’m not sure anyone reading this could
picture anything.
 I’m not sure this is ready for someone
else to read.
 My personality pokes out here and
there. You might guess this is my
writing.
 My interest in the topic seems to turn
on and off.
 This piece tells the audience a little
about me but not too much.
 This piece is somewhat interesting but
some parts could use a bit more life.
Seven Traits of Writing Rubric
WOW!!
5
Almost
3
Not
Yet
1
Organization
Conventions
 My piece is as clear as a good
map.
 It guides the reader along every
step.
 Transitions are smooth.
 My beginning makes you want to
read on.
 Every detail falls in just the right
place. Nothing seems out of
order.
 Everything leads up to my most
important point or event. My
piece ends at just the right spot
and leaves you thinking.
 I was very careful editing this
piece. You won’t find many
mistakes.
 Capitals are in the right places
and not where they don’t belong.
 Sentences end with correct
punctuation.
 Commas are where they belong.
 Quotation marks are used
correctly.
 Paragraphs begin at the right
places.
 My spelling shows that I applied
what I know about spelling rules
and have used spelling resources.
 Some mistakes might show up
when you read carefully.
 Ending punctuation is mostly
correct.
 I need to review how to use those
tricky commas and/or quotation
marks.
 I’m missing some indents for
paragraphs or I have too many.
 Spelling of simple words is
correct, but more effort is
needed applying my strategies to
the tricky words.
 A bit of careful editing can solve
all these problems.
 No one but me can read this
piece, and I even have a bit of
trouble.
 The ideas, voice, words choice,
organization and sentences
fluency might be great, but no
one will know without editing.
 If you pay close attention you can
follow my piece.
 My piece has a beginning but it
might not really hook you.
 The piece makes sense but some
parts could be connected or
sequenced better.
 You might not be able to tell
which parts are the most
important.
 My piece has an ending but it
won’t leave you thinking.
 You don’t know where my piece is
headed. I’m not sure yet either.
 My piece needs some order. It
feels like a messy closet.
 My piece doesn’t really end. I
just ran out of things to say.
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
 I picked just the right words to
express my ideas and feelings.
 My phrases are colorful and
fresh. It’s easy to pick out
favorite phrases.
 I used some everyday words in
unusual ways.
 I chose words that help you
create pictures in your mind.
 I used strong verbs to carry the
meaning and didn’t overdo the
adjectives.
 My sentences are clear and
varied.
 You won’t have to rehearse to
read this piece out loud.
 My piece has a special flow and
rhythm when read out loud.
 Sentences begin in different
ways and vary in length and
structure.
 Short and snappy sentences are
mixed in with long and meaty
ones.
 I’m proud of this piece.
 Some words are powerful but
many others are ordinary or
tired.
 The words used in some parts
help you create a picture. Other
parts are less clear.
 It’s difficult to pick out a strong
or favorite phrase.
 My piece needs some stronger
verbs.
 My sentences are clear and
readable.
 My piece sounds a little bit
choppy when read out loud.
 Too many sentences start with
the same word or follow the same
pattern.
 Some sentences run on and on,
others need to be joined
together.
 There’s nothing here that a little
revising can’t cure.
 The same words are used over
and over.
 The meaning isn’t clear.
 Some words are used in the
wrong way.
 My piece is a challenge to read
out loud, even for me.
 Some sentences are incomplete,
others go on and on, and too many
start with the same word.