Descriptive Writing Assignment: Assessment Rubric: Name: _________________
Ideas: Key Question: Does the writer engage the reader with fresh information or persepective on a
focused topic?
IDEAS
Snapshot
Main idea
Minimally Meets
Conveys a clear, focused, and
accurate main idea with
adequate development and
support
Has a clear, focused main idea
(dominant impression)
Details and
support
Develops the main
idea/dominant impression with
generally accurate and relevant
supportive information and
details.
Contains some of the required
elements: personification,
metaphor, symbolism, multiple
sense imagery.
Awareness/
engagement of
reader
Somewhat in cages reader by
exploring ideas
Fully Meets
Expectations
Exceeds Expectations
Produces a clear, focused,
accurate, and complex main
idea with convincing
development and support
Conveys a clear, focused, and
substantive main idea
(dominant impression)
Develops the main
idea/dominant impression
with specific, relevant,
accurate information and
some vivid details. Contains
most of the required
elements: personification,
metaphor, symbolism,
multiple sense imagery.
Conveys a clear, focused, accurate, and
significant main idea and includes unique,
substantial insights that are fully
developed and supported.
Conveys a clear, focused, substantive, and
original main idea that drives the piece
(dominant impression)
Develops the main idea/dominant
impression with convincing, supportive
information and concrete details that go
beyond the obvious.
Contains all of the required elements:
personification, metaphor, symbolism,
multiple sense imagery and does so in a
captivating fashion.
Knows reader well enough to
figure out what types of
details and images will appeal
to them without alienating
them
Fully engages the reader by providing a
sophisticated and engaging description
Organization: Key Question: Does the organisational structure and hence the ideas and make them
easier to understand
Organization
Minimally Meets
Fully Meets
Expectations
Snapshot
Has basic organisation that
moves the reader through the
text logically without confusion
Reflects smooth and cohesive
organisation and varied techniques
that builds smoothly from one
idea/image to the next to create a
unified whole
Lead and
conclusion
Contains a recognisable
lead/work and conclusion but
they may be formulaic or
obvious
Features a lead/woke that creates
anticipation and the conclusion that
makes the reader want to know more
and may further develop the dominant
impression
Sequencing
Provides logical and helpful
sequencing with ideas placed
in an understandable order
Employs sequencing that moves
beyond the obvious, building
connections between the ideas
Pacing
Evenly controls pacing in nearly
all places
Has well-controlled pacing throughout
Title
Creates title that connects to
the dominant impression
Uses a title that reflects the content in
an unusual or interesting way
Exceeds Expectations
Uses seamless organisation that
enhances and showcases central
ideas; orders or structures
information in a compelling way;
clarifies relationships among
ideas
Has an inviting lead that draws
reader Ian and creates a strong
sense of anticipation; includes a
satisfying concluding sentence
that makes the reader want to
know more but which also
cements the dominant
impression
Uses highly effective sequencing,
making best choices for
progression and enriching the
reader’s understanding
Uses pacing skilfully to compel
the reader through the piece
and hence its power
Draws the reader in with a title
that is original and captures
deeper meaning