Informational Writing
Stage
Domain 1
Domain 2
Domain 3
Domain 4
Ideas
Organization
Style
Conventions
(counts double)
1
Does not engage reader
Does not establish a context &
develop reader interest
No controlling idea
Appropriate facts & details lacking
Includes extraneous details and
inappropriate information
No evidence of organizing strategy
Unclear sequence of ideas
Lacks introduction or conclusion
Lack of or incorrect transitions
Insufficient writing to determine
competence in organization
No attention to audience
Lack of sentence variety
Writer’s voice is not apparent
Word choice is inaccurate,
imprecise or confusing
Language/tone are flat
Insufficient length to determine style
2
Minimal engagement of reader
Some establishment of context &
development of reader interest
Minimal development of a
controlling idea
Minimal facts & details
Has some extraneous details &
inappropriate information
Simple or repetitive word choice
Limited awareness of audience
Little variation in sentence length &
structure
Minimal or inconsistent voice
Language & tone are uneven
Insufficient length to determine
competence in style
3
Sufficient engagement of reader
Establishes a context & develops
reader interest
Sufficient development of
controlling idea that conveys
perspective on a subject
Appropriate facts & details included
Extraneous details & inappropriate
information is minimal
Consistent engagement of reader
Well-established context &
development of reader interest
Controlling idea that consistently
conveys a perspective on a subject
Excludes extraneous details &
inappropriate information
Organizing strategy is not complete
or inappropriate
Minimal evidence of sequencing
May lack effective introduction or
conclusion
Unrelated ideas are grouped together
Limited or repetitive transitions
Insufficient length to determine
organizational competence
Overall strategy is generally
appropriate to the genre
Clear sequence of ideas
Appropriate introduction and clear
conclusion
Related ideas are generally grouped
together
Transitions link parts of the writing
Language & tone are generally
appropriate & consistent
Awareness of audience is
demonstrated in some parts
Writer’s voice is clear & discernable
Some variety in sentence length &
structure
Some engaging word choices
Correct simple sentences
Other sentences have occasional
errors
Generally correct usage &
mechanics with some errors
Few errors interfere with meaning
Overall strategy is appropriate to the
genre
Logical sequencing of ideas across
parts of the writing
Introduction sets the stage &
conclusion ends the writing
without repetition
Varied transitions
Overall strategy is appropriate to the
genre
Logical & appropriate sequencing of
ideas throughout the writing
Logical grouping of ideas
Varied & effective transitional
elements
Introduction engages & sets the
stage; conclusion provides a sense
of closure
Language & tone are appropriate &
consistent
Word choice is precise/engaging
Attention to audience throughout the
writing
Consistent voice
Variety in sentence length &
structure
Varied, precise, & engaging word
choice
Sustained attention to audience
Consistent & appropriate voice
Variety of sentence lengths,
structures & beginnings
Carefully crafted phrases or
sentences that engage the reader
Figurative or technical language
may be used for effect
Correct simple, complex, and/or
compound sentences with correct
end punctuation
Mostly correct mechanics & usage,
but not in ALL elements
Errors do not interfere with meaning
4
5
Full engagement of reader
Fully established context &
development of reader interest
Fully developed controlling idea that
conveys a perspective on a subject
Fully appropriate facts & details
Excludes extraneous details &
inappropriate information
End punctuation incorrect/missing
Frequent fragments, run-ons, &
incorrect sentences
Frequent & severe errors in usage &
mechanics
Errors interfere with meaning
Insufficient length to determine
competence
Sentence structure is awkward
End punctuation missing or
incorrect
Frequent errors in usage and/or
mechanics
Minimal control of conventions
Errors may interfere with meaning
Clear & correct simple, complex, &
compound sentences with correct
end punctuation
Correct usage & mechanics in a
variety of contexts
Errors do not inteerfre with meaning