POWER 8 Traits of Writing: Rubric
Organization
Outline
Picture Organizer
Ideas
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 I am an expert on my
topic.
 The main idea is crystal
clear.
 I have details that are
unusual and not
everyone knows.
 All nine pictures have
been glued in an order
that is fluid and logical.
 Each picture has a topic
sentence and at least
seven supporting
sentences.
 The transitional
sentences lead the
reader fluently to the
next paragraph.
 All nine topics are
bubbled and each has
more than seven
supporting facts.
 My transitions are well
crafted and help the
reader anticipate the
content of the next topic.
 Super organization
makes my ideas clear.
 My lead is a “Wow!” My
conclusion is a “Wow!”
 I have transitions that
connect ideas smoothly.
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 I know a lot about my
topic.
 It’s easy to tell the main
idea.
 I have great details to
explain the main idea.
 All nine pictures have
been glued in an order
that is logical and helps
the story to flow.
 Each picture has a topic
sentence and at least five
supporting sentences.
 The transitional
sentences alert the reader
to the content of the next
paragraph.
 All nine topics are
bubbled and each has
between five and seven
supporting facts.
 My transitions are clearly
written and lead the
reader to the next topic.
 Every idea is in just the
right place.
 I have a lead that
introduces the paper and
a conclusion that wraps it
up.
 I have transitions that
connect most ideas.
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 I understand the topic but
could narrow it a little
more.
 I can tell what the main
idea is all about.
 I have some good details to
explain the main idea.
 All nine pictures have been
glued in the order I have
selected.
 Each picture has a topic
sentence and at least three
supporting sentences.
 I have included a
transitional sentence to the
next picture.
 I stick to the topic most of the
time. It might be better if the
topic was smaller.
 I think you can figure out my
main idea.
 I need to include more
information in my details.
 At least seven pictures have
been glued.
 At least seven of the pictures
have a topic sentence and at
least two supporting
sentences.
 Transitions are given for
most of the pictures.
 I have a topic that is too big
or one that I don’t know
much about.
 I think I have a main idea,
but I’m not sure.
 I only have a few details.
 All nine topics are bubbled
and each has at least three
supporting facts.
 Transitions between topics
are stated.
 At least seven topics have
been bubbled and each has at
least three supporting facts.
 Transitions are given for
most of the topics I bubbled
 Most ideas are in the right
spot.
 I have a lead and a
conclusion.
 I have some ideas that
connect ideas clearly.
 My ideas are not always in
order and are confusing.
 I have a lead and/or
conclusion, but they need
work.
 I have a couple of transitions,
but they don’t connect ideas
clearly.
 Less than seven of my
topics have been bubbled.
 The topics I bubbled have
fewer than three
supporting facts.
 I have provided few
transitions between topics
or they are missing.
 I have ideas that go off in
many directions.
 I have no lead or
conclusion.
 Transitions – what are
those?
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 At least seven pictures
have been glued.
 At least five of the pictures
have a topic sentence and
one or two supporting
sentences.
 There are few or no
transitional sentences.
Presentation
Edit and
Revise
Sentences
Words
POWER 8 Traits of Writing: Rubric
5
4
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 I use powerful words to
create a clear message.
 I use strong and precise
technical and scientific
words.
 My words paint a vivid
picture in the readers’
mind.
 The writing has an easy
flow and rhythm.
 I use a variety of
sentence styles so my
writing flows smoothly
and has energy.
 I use conventions
correctly so my writing
is easy to understand.
 I add style to my paper
using a variety of
conventions.
 I am ready to publish my
writing.
 All nine topics are
covered in complete and
engaging sentences.
 I included a topic and
conclusion as well as
transitional sentences.
 The Power Point reflects
polished editing over the
picture organizer.
 The text copy has been
recorded, played back,
improved, and edited to
be nearly error free.
 I use words that are clear,
make sense, and are
interesting.
 I use technical and
scientific words correctly.
 My words do paint a
picture in the reader’s
mind.
 The writing is easy to read
aloud.
 I use a variety of sentence
beginnings and lengths.
 Many of my words are
ordinary.
 I use some strong technical
and scientific words.
 I have some unneeded
words or phrases, but a
picture is beginning to
form in the reader’s mind.
 Choppy sentences slow the
reader down.
 I use some variety in
sentence beginnings and
lengths.
 I use the first words that
come to my mind.
 My words are sometimes
confusing.
 My words do not paint a
picture in the reader’s mind.
 I use words that do not
seem to work.
 I use words I don’t
understand.
 I use the same words over
and over.
 This is a little hard to read
aloud.
 I use some choppy sentences
and run-on sentences.
 This is very hard to read
aloud.
 I use mostly short, choppy
sentences or long, rambling
sentences.
 I have a few errors, but
they don’t make my
writing difficult to
understand.
 I use a variety of
conventions to make an
impression on the reader.
 I have a few errors to fix.
 All nine topics are
covered in complete and
engaging sentences.
 I included a topic and
conclusion as well as
transitional sentences.
 The Power Point reflects
comprehensive editing
over the picture
organizer.
 The text has been
recorded, played back,
edited, and improved.
 I have some errors, so my
writing is confusing.
 I use a variety of
conventions correctly
(colons, dashes,
semicolons, etc.)
 I need to do some editing.
 I have so many errors it is
difficult to understand my
writing.
 Basics (periods, caps,
spelling, etc.) are correct.
 I need to do a lot of editing.
 I have so many errors it is
impossible to understand
my writing.
 My paper does not include
the basics.
 I need to edit nearly every
line.
 All nine topics have been
included.
 The Power Point includes
introduction and
conclusion slides.
 Each slide contains a
paragraph with a topic
sentence, three supporting
sentences, and a
concluding sentence.
 The text has been recorded,
played back, and edited for
conventions.
 At least seven topics are
included.
 The Power Point includes
introduction and conclusion
slides.
 Each slide contains a
paragraph with a topic
sentence, three supporting
sentences, and a transitional
or concluding sentence.
 The text has been partially
recorded, played back, and
edited as needed.
 Less than seven topics are
included.
 The Power Point does not
have introduction and
conclusion slides.
 Each slide contains a
paragraph with a topic
sentence but fewer than
three supporting
sentences.
 The text has been partially
recorded, played back, but
not edited.
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