Fourth Grade Persuasive Writing Rubric
Name:
Date:
Score:
4.W.3.1 The student will write persuasive compositions in a variety of forms.
Standard
Introduction
Clearly state an opinion to a
particular audience.
Organization
Use an organizational
structure to group related
ideas that support the
opinion.
Persuasive Writing
Facts & Details
Support the opinion with facts
& details from various
sources, including texts.
Linking Words &
Phrases
Connect opinion using words
and phrases.
Conclusion
Provide a concluding
statement or section related
to the position presented.
4.W.3.1 Totals
4
The introductory
paragraph includes
the clearly stated
opinion/claim & a
creative hook that
grabs the reader’s
attention.
The writing includes
multiple supporting
paragraphs that
move the reader
smoothly through
the text in a
convincing tone.
The writing
elaborates on the
opinion by
referencing a variety
of reliable text
evidence/sources,
examples, emotion,
& precise details.
The writing includes
deliberately chosen
linking phrases that
help to clearly shift
from stating
reasons, to giving
evidence, & making
a new point.
The concluding
paragraph restates
the position &
provides insight,
reflection, follow up
ideas, or suggested
action.
4: 17-20
3
2
1
The writing begins
with an introduction
that clearly states
the opinion to a
particular audience.
The writing begins
with a simple
introduction that
shows opinion but
may lack audience.
With help, the
student writes a
simple introduction
that includes the
opinion.
The writing is
organized in
paragraphs. Related
ideas support the
opinion.
The writing is
grouped in
paragraph form &
includes some
evidence of related
ideas that support
the opinion.
With help, related
idea(s) are grouped
together & are
connected to the
opinion.
The opinion is
supported with facts
& details from
various sources,
including texts.
The writing includes
some supportive
facts & details from
a single source.
With help, the
student includes
supportive facts
from a text or other
source.
The opinion is
connected using
words & phrases like
for instance, one
time, in addition to.
The writing includes
some linking words
or phrases such as
also, and, or but.
With help, the
student includes
simple linking words
such as because.
The writing has a
concluding
statement/section
that relates to the
position presented.
The writing has a
short conclusion. It
may not restate the
opinion.
With help, the
writing includes a
simple concluding
statement.
3: 14-16
2: 8-13
1: 5-7
Fourth Grade Persuasive Writing Rubric
Standard
Draft & Revise
4.W.4
Apply the writing
process to
generate a draft and
revise to improve
writing.
Edit for Grammar &
Usage
4.W.6.1
Writing Process
Demonstrate command of
English grammar and usage.
* See standards for specific
essential skills for grammar
and usage.
Capitalization,
Punctuation & Spelling
4.W.6.2
Demonstrate command of
capitalization, punctuation,
and spelling.
* See standard for specific
essential skills for capitalization,
punctuation and spelling.
Handwriting
4.W.2.1
Write legibly.
4
3
2
1
Develops multiple
drafts for a single
piece of writing
and uses varied
revision strategies
to make the piece
stronger and more
succinct.
Develop, select and
organize ideas
(graphic organizer)
relevant to topic,
purpose, and genre.
Use appropriate
reference materials
(e.g., quality of
ideas, organization,
sentence fluency,
word choice)
Uses a tool
(graphic
organizer) to
organize ideas and
revises writing for
basic mistakes
(repeated words
and organization)
With help, the
student is able to
draft and revise a
piece of writing
for basic mistakes.
The writing
contains an
appropriate use of
varied sentence
structures with
few to no errors in
grammar and
usage.
The writing
contains
compound and
complex sentence
structure with
correct use of
nouns, pronouns,
verbs, adjectives,
adverbs, and
conjunctions.
The writing
contains both
simple and
compound
sentence
structure with
correct use of
nouns, pronouns,
adjectives, verbs,
and adverbs.
With help, the
student can write
using simple
sentence
structure with
correct use of
nouns, pronouns,
adjectives, and
verbs.
There are few to
no errors in
capitalization
spelling or
punctuation. The
punctuation used
adds interest to
the writing.
There are
occasional errors
in spelling or
punctuation, but
they do no
distract from the
smooth reading of
the essay.
There are
frequent errors in
spelling and
punctuation. The
piece is still
readable, but
mistakes are
noticeable.
With help, the
student can
correct errors in
capitalization,
punctuation or
spelling.
The student
writes using
legible cursive
that can be read
by others.
The student
writes using print
or cursive forming
letters and words
that can be read
by others.
The student’s
writing is difficult
to read.
With help, the
student is able to
space words
correctly and
write legibly.
Required Vocabulary: paragraph, opinion, claim, facts, details, evidence, source, linking
words/phrases, introduction, introductory paragraph, conclusion, concluding
statement/paragraph/section, domain-specific, nouns, pronouns (relative, reflexive), progressive
verb tenses, verb tense, helping verbs (modal auxiliaries), relative adverbs, prepositions,
sentences (simple, compound, complex and exclamatory) coordinating and subordinating
conjunctions, capitalization, apostrophes, possessives, contractions, quotation marks, direct
speech, comma, homophone, homograph, draft, organize, relevant, format, revise, edit, graphic
organizer