Name: _____________________________
4 – Exceeds Standards
Ideas & Content
Organization
Voice
Word Choice &
Vocabulary
Sentence
Fluidity
Conventions
Biography Rubric
3 – Meets
Standards
Total: ______
2 – Approaching
Standards
1- Not Meeting
Standards
• Writer knows topic really well
• Early Life, Significant Events,
Contributions, Char. Traits &
Conclusion all included.
• Many interesting details
• Early Life, Significant Events,
Contributions, Char. Traits &
Conclusion all included.
•Writer knows the topic
•Most details fit & are interesting
•Missing ONE of the following: Early
Life, Significant Events, Contributions,
Char. Traits & Conclusion
•Writer doesn’t know enough about the
topic
•Needs more details
•Missing Two or more of the
following: Early Life, Significant
Events, Contributions, Char. Traits &
Conclusion
•Writer doesn’t know enough about the
topic
•Needs more details
• Few transitions used
• Lead / conclusion missing
• Too many details are out of order
• Carefully organized with varied
transitions
• Lead grabs reader's attention
• Conclusion works well
• Details & paragraphs are in right
order
•Writer's personality comes through
in a special way
•Writer's voice is lively & confident
• Writer uses a variety of strong /
descriptive words
• Sophisticated synonyms regularly
replace common words
•Words create vivid pictures in
reader's mind
• Organized with transitions
• Lead and conclusion used
• Details & paragraphs are in
right order
• Has some transitions
• Missing lead or conclusion
• Most parts of paper fit together.
• Most details & paragraphs are in right
order
•Writer's personality comes
through in places
•Writer's voice is confident
•Writing has some strong /
descriptive words
• Sophisticated synonyms
occasionally replace common
words
•Some words create pictures in
the reader's mind
• Attempts to include personality / voice
are apparent
• Writing draws the reader in at times
• Writing uses general, everyday
descriptive words
• Sophisticated synonyms have not been
used
• Words do not create pictures in reader’s
mind
• Writer's voice rarely / doesn’t come
through
•Writing does not draw the reader in
• Writing uses dull, ordinary words
• Few descriptive words are used
• Some words are used incorrectly, or
are missing entirely
•Has creative sentences of different
kinds & lengths
•Sentences flow, making the writing
enjoyable to read
• Some sentences are different
lengths / types
• Sentences have varied
beginnings
• Sentences fit together well
• Has NO errors in capitalization,
punctuation, spelling & grammar
• Writing is easy to read
• Has FEW (1 - 2) errors in
capitalization, punctuation,
spelling & grammar
• Writing is easy to read
• Sentences are all similar lengths / types
• 1 or 2 incomplete or run-on sentences
• Same beginnings are often used over and
over
• Reader is confused & has to re-read one
section for meaning
• Has SOME (3 – 5) errors in
capitalization, punctuation, spelling &
grammar
• Sounds mostly correct when read aloud
• Most sentences are short / simple.
• 3 or more incomplete / run-on
sentences
• Same beginnings used over and over
• Reader is confused & often has to reread for meaning
• Too many errors in capitalization (6 or
more), punctuation, spelling & grammar
• Writing is difficult to read due to
errors
• Editing needed