5 WRITING TRAITS
Not Yet Meeting
Expectations
1
Meeting Expectations
IDEAS

The heart of the
message

Details that
enrich and
develop the
theme
-topic is unclear
-message is a simple
restatement of
question or a simple
answer to the
question
-repetitious/random
thoughts
-topic is fairly broad
-minimal support is
evident
-message is very general
-mostly stays on topic
-topic is fairly narrow
-support is attempted
-message is
reasonably clear and
somewhat specific
-generally stays on
topic
ORGANIZATION

The internal
structure

Logical pattern
of ideas
-no clear introduction
or conclusion
-confusing
connections between
ideas
-difficult to find main
point due to
organizational issues
-fails to connect with
audience
-writing is not
engaging
-lacks development
of point of view
-no sense of writer
-introduction and
conclusion recognizable
but not engaging
-some transitions evident
-attempt at paragraphing
-engaging introduction
and conclusion
-transitions usually
work
-logical sequencing
attempted; clear
paragraph structures
-inviting introduction
and satisfying
conclusion
-thoughtful transitions
-sequencing and
paragraphing is
logical effective
-minimal personal
connection with audience
-avoids risk
limited individual
perspective
-non-specific or
distracting words
-sentences are often
choppy, incomplete
or rambling
-language used
incorrectly
-redundant jargon or
cliché
-repetitive sentence
starters
-doesn’t invite oral
reading
-adequate/generally
correct words
-familiar word/phrases
-functional
-some poorly constructed
sentences
-some variety of
sentence starters
-partly invites oral
reading
-attempts to connect
with audience
-occasionally reveals
personal details
-some individual
perspective
- sense of writer
evident but not strong
-attempt at colourful
language and poetic
devices
-functional with one or
two fine moments
-refinement and
precision occasionally
evident
-sentence generally
constructed correctly
-variety is attempted
-mostly invites oral
reading
-strongly connects
with audience
-risk taken; revealing
details
-honest, personal
and engaging
perspective
- true sense of writer
-words are specific or
accurate
-striking words or
phrases
- poetic devices used
well
-language enhances
and clarifies meaning
-sentences enhance
meaning
-variety of length and
structure
-writing has cadence
-frequent errors in
spelling and/or
capitalization
-incorrect or missing
punctuation
-errors in grammar or
usage are very
noticeable
-common errors in
spelling and capitilization
-end punctuation is
usually correct
-some serious errors in
grammar and usage
-most words are
spelled or capitalized
correctly
-problems with
grammar and usage
are not serious
-generally correct
punctuation
-spelling, grammar,
capitalization and
punctuation are
generally correct
-manipulates
conventions for
stylistic effect
VOICE

Unique/sincere
perspective of
writer

Compelling
ideas engaging
language

Vivid details
STYLE

Rich, powerful
and precise
language that
moves and
enlightens the
reader

Rhythm and
flow of
language

The way the
writing sounds
to the ear
CONVENTIONS

Spelling

Grammar

Punctuation

Capitalization
2
Fully Meeting
Expectations
3
Exceeding
Expectations
4
-topic is narrow and
manageable
-relevant, quality
details that go
beyond the obvious
-ideas show insight
`
1
1+
Incomplete
2C-
2
C
2+
C+
3B-
3
B
3+
B+
4A-
4
A
5 WRITING TRAITS
30%
45%
55%
63%
70%
75%
80%
85%
92%
100%