Writing Rubric, English 7
Advanced
The response has a clear focus
statement that introduces the topic
and provides ample support through
descriptive examples, anecdotes,
illustrations and/or details.
Ideas and
Elaboration
Organization 
Contains a clear and logical
organizational plan which
consistently clarifies the relationship
of one idea or event to another.
Unity
Exhibits consistent unity by having
few if any digressions, using effective
transitions that connect ideas within
and across paragraphs, maintaining a
consistent point of view, and having
an effective lead and closure.
Uses highly specific word choice,
descriptive and/or figurative
language, and selected information
purposefully to craft a message.
Selected
Information
and Word
Choice

Sentence
Structure
Exhibits consistent control of
sentence formation, avoiding
fragments, run-ons, comma splices,
and beginning sentences with
coordinating conjunctions.
Grammar,
Usage, and
Mechanics
And
Sentence
Structure
The writing is free of most errors in
grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Specifically, the writer avoids
fragments and run-on sentences.
Proficient
The response has a clear focus
statement that introduces the topic
and provides sufficient, yet not
complete, support through descriptive
examples, anecdotes, illustrations
and/or details.
Contains evidence of an
organizational plan which clarifies the
relationship of one idea or event to
another, although some lapses in
organization may occur.
Exhibits reasonable unity by having
few minor digressions or shifts in
point of view, purposeful use of some
transitions, and the presence of a lead
and closure.
Uses specific word choice, descriptive

language, and selective information to
craft the writer’s message. A few
examples of vivid or purposeful
language may be present alongside
some general statements or vague
words.
Exhibits reasonable control of
sentence formation, avoiding
fragments, run-ons, comma splices,
and beginning sentences with
coordinating conjunctions.
The writing is generally free of most
errors in grammar, usage, and
mechanics. An occasional fragment or
run-on sentence may be present, but
the writer generally has mastered how
to maintain complete sentences.
Developing Proficiency
The response introduces the topic and
provides general support; however,
the response is limited in its use of
descriptive examples, anecdotes,
illustrations and/or details.
Novice
The response does introduce the topic.
Has little or no purposeful
elaboration; the response may read
more like a list of random facts.
Organizes ideas inconsistently, with
limited evidence of the relationship
between one idea or event and
another.
Has little or no organizational plan,
failing to develop relationships
between ideas or events and typically
jumping from one thought to the next.
Exhibits little unity due to the
inconsistent use of transitions to
connect ideas, major digressions,
competing central ideas, occasional
shifts in point of view, and weak lead
and/or closure.
Contains mostly imprecise, bland
language, though some specificity of
word choice might occur.
Demonstrates little or no unity due to
major digressions, shifts in point of
view, the lack of transitions
connecting ideas or events, and a
limited or no lead and/or closure.
Exhibits inconsistent control of
sentence formation, including
occasional fragments, run-ons,
comma splices, and a pattern of
beginning sentences with
coordinating conjunctions.
The writing has some errors in
grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Fragments and run-ons are present
indicating that the writer needs work
in this area; however, these sentence
faults do not distract the reader.
Exhibits little or no control of
sentence formation, including
fragments, run-ons, comma splices,
and many sentences that begin with
coordinating conjunctions.
Uses general, vague, and/or
repetitious vocabulary with little or no
selected information.
The writing has significant errors in
grammar, usage, and mechanics that
hinder the reading of the text,
specifically frequent sentence faults
(fragments and run-ons).
Instructional Writing Checklist for Composition and Written Expression, English 7
Ideas and
Elaboration
Proficient
 Reasonably consistent focus on
central idea
 Some awareness of intended
audience
 May contain minor lapses
elaboration, relevant examples,
illustrations, reasons, events,
and/or details
 Some details clarify the writer’s
purpose
Developing Proficiency
 Inconsistent focus on central
idea
 Limited awareness of audience
 Contains limited elaboration,
examples, illustrations, reasons,
events, and/or details
 Few details clarify the writer’s
purpose
 Ideas may be a list of general,
underdeveloped statements
Novice
 Little or no focus on a central
idea
 No awareness of audience
 Contains little or no evidence
(examples, illustrations,
reasons, events, and/or details)
 Little or no elaboration
 List of general unrelated
statements
 Length is inadequate for
development
 Strong introduction
 Follows a logical
organizational plan
 Ideas are unified with few
digressions
 Maintains a consistent point of
view
 Uses transitions to connect
ideas within and across
paragraphs
 Strong, effective conclusion
 Contains specific word choice,
descriptive language, and
selected information
 Skillful introduction
 Evidence of an organizational
plan
 Few minor digressions
 Point of view may shift
occasionally
 Uses transitions effectively
within and across paragraphs
 Good conclusion
 Weak introduction
 Inconsistent organizational plan
 Lack of unity due to major
digressions
 Shifts in point of view
 Limited or inconsistent use of
transitions within and across
paragraphs
 Weak or ineffective conclusion
 No introduction
 Little or no organization of
ideas
 Lacks unity due to major
digressions
 Shifts in point of view
 Absence of transitions
connecting ideas
 Very limited or no conclusion
 Contains some specific word
choice, descriptive language,
and selected information
 Limited word choice,
descriptive language and or
selected information
 Lacks voice, little or no specific
word choice, descriptive
language, and/or selected
information
 Includes a variety of sentence
lengths and beginnings
 Includes some sentence variety
in lengths and beginnings
 Includes little or no sentence
variety in lengths and
beginnings
 No sentences of various lengths
or beginnings


Descriptive
Essay


Organization
and Unity
Selected
Information
and Word
Choice
Sentence
Structure
Advanced
Clear, consistent focus on a
central idea
Clear awareness of intended
audience
Fully elaborated containing
precise, relevant examples,
illustrations, reasons, events,
and/or details which support
purpose and audience
Details clarify the writer’s
purpose and clearly elaborate
ideas