Author Biography Rubric
Organization
Sentence Fluency
Word Choice
4
•each paragraph has a
topic sentence
•each paragraph has at
least five sentences
•each detail sentence
supports the topic sentence
•no run-on sentences or
fragments
•words and phrases flow
through the piece
•variety of sentence length
•variety of sentence
structure
3
•most paragraphs have topic
sentences
•most paragraphs contain at
least five sentences
•most detail sentences
support the topic sentence
•the piece is mostly free of
run-on sentences and
fragments
•Although the sentences
lack variety or creativity,
most of them are
grammatically correct.
Some of them are smooth,
while others are choppy and
awkward.
•some variation of sentence
length
•some variation of sentence
structure
• The piece contains strong • Many ordinary verbs are
verbs that bring it alive.
used, and more “action
• The writer stretched by
words” are needed.
using the perfect words
• The writer hasn’t come up
and phrases to convey
with extraordinary ways to
ideas.
say ordinary things.
• The best words and
• This piece should be
phrases are used, not just
revised by replacing its
2
• some paragraphs have
topic sentences
•some paragraphs contain
at least five sentences
•some detail sentences
support the topic sentence
•the piece is mostly free of
run-on sentences and
fragments
• Although the sentences
lack variety or creativity,
most of them are
grammatically correct.
Some sentences are
smooth, but most are
choppy and awkward
•some variation of sentence
length
•some variation of sentence
structure
• Very few strong verbs are
used.
• The writer hasn’t come
up with extraordinary ways
to say ordinary things.
• Extensive revision is
needed to replace weak
words and phrases with
1
•few or no paragraphs
have topic sentences
•few or no paragraphs
contain at least five
sentences
•few or no detail
sentences support the
topic sentence
•the piece is full of run-on
sentences and fragments
•words and phrases are
awkward, choppy, and
begin similarly
•sentences are all around
the same length
•only simple sentences are
used
• The verbs used are not
strong.
• Bland words and phrases
are used throughout—or
the same words and
phrases over and over.
• The words and phrases
used are not working; they
Conventions
Ideas
the first ones that came to
mind.
•Spelling is strong. All or
nearly all the words are
spelled accurately.
• Punctuation is used
creatively and correctly
and new paragraphs are
begun in the right places.
• Capital letters are used
correctly throughout the
piece, even in tricky
places.
•Standard English
grammar and usage has
been applied
•The beginning of the
piece really catches the
audience’s attention with
an engaging lead
•The conclusion is strong
and leaves the reader with
something to think about
by stating how the author
affected them
•Each body paragraph
contains all the
information needed as
stated on the instructions
weak words and phrases
with strong ones.
• Complex words are
misspelled.
• Punctuation is basically
strong. Paragraphs are
indented.
• Capital letters are used in
obvious places (such as the
word I), but not in others.
• Even though the grammar
and usage are not 100
percent correct, the
audience should be able to
read my piece.
strong ones.
distract the reader rather
than guide him or her.
• I’ve misspelled words
• Extensive spelling errors
that I use all the time, as
make the piece difficult to
well as complex words that read and understand.
I don’t use as often.
• The piece is not
• Punctuation is basically
punctuated or paragraphed
strong. Some paragraphs
well, which is necessary
are indented but not all of
to guide the reader.
them.
• The use of capital letters
• Capital letters are used in is so inconsistent it’s
obvious places (such as the distracting.
word I), but not in others.
• The piece needs to be
• Even though the grammar cleaned up considerably in
and usage are not 100
terms of grammar and
percent correct, the
usage.
audience should be able to
read my piece.
•The beginning of the piece •A lead is attempted but it
•There is no lead
is somewhat engaging
is not engaging
•The conclusion is either
•The conclusion restates the •The conclusion simply
missing or unrelated
thesis and provides a
restates the main points of
•The body paragraphs are
concluding statement but
the essay
missing most of the
does not state how the
•Each body paragraph
required information
author affected them
contains some of the
•Each body paragraph
required information or
contains most of the
some paragraphs contain
information needed as stated all the information while
on the instructions
others do not