Student Name ______________________________
Date Assigned____________________________
Assignment Title ____________________________________________
Narrative Rubric
Excelling
Writing Trait
Ideas/Content
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Conventions
(Grammar
and
Mechanics)
Achieving
Developing
Beginning
4
(95-100)
* Well developed
characters, setting, plot
* Sustained focus
* Shows connections and
insights
3
(85-94)
* Developed characters ,
setting, plot
* Somewhat sustained
focus
* Content clear but reader
still left with questions
2
(76-84)
*Somewhat developed
characters, setting, plot
* Somewhat focused
* Lacks specific
information
* Includes vague details
1
(70-75)
* Characters, setting,
plot lack development
* Lacking details
* Extraneous
information
* Introduction and
conclusion add depth and
meaning.
* Effective sequencing
and pacing
* Thoughtful transitions
* Introduction and
conclusion add some depth
and meaning.
* Mostly logical sequencing
and pacing
* Predictable connections
* Basic beginning, middle,
ending
* Introduction and
conclusion superficial
* Sequencing and
pacing confusing
* Connections awkward
* Sketchy beginning,
middle, ending
* Introduction or
conclusion missing
* Sequencing and
pacing not present.
* Connections are
confusing or not
present.
* Hard to follow
* Sustained engagement
* Authentic and original
* Reader has strong
connection to narrative
* Mostly sustained
engagement
* Authentic
* Reader has connection to
narrative some of the time
* Engaging moments
* Limited authenticity
* Reader occasionally
has connection to
narrative
* Non-engaging
* No authenticity
* Reader has no
connection to narrative
* Powerful and engaging
words
* Wording
accurate/specific/precise
* Artful use of figurative
language
* Words (language) create
meaningful pictures.
* Easy flow and rhythm
* Strong and varied
sentence structure
* Invites expressive
reading
* Overall sentence
structure enhances
meaning.
* Spelling correct even on
more difficult words
* Accurate punctuation
and capitalization
* Grammar and usage
contribute to clarity.
* Paragraphing enhances
style.
* Some active verbs and
precise nouns
* Moments of sparkle here
and there
* Effective use of figurative
language
* Words (language)
enhance the meaning.
* Sentences more
mechanical than fluid
* Sentences usually hang
together.
* Can be read aloud easily
* Sentences begin
differently.
* Generally correct
words; no spice
* Language is
functional.
* Attempt at figurative
language
* Words convey general
meaning.
* Phrasing affects
readability.
* Sentence structure
impairs understanding.
* Portions can be read
aloud easily.
* Too many sentences
begin the same way.
* Spelling correct on
common words
* End punctuation and
easy capitalization
mostly correct
* Grammar errors not
serious
* Paragraphing irregular
* Vocabulary is limited.
* No figurative
language
* Words do not convey
meaning.
Score ______
Comments:
* Spelling generally correct
* Punctuation and
capitalization usually
correct
* Grammar and usage are
correct.
* Paragraphing correct
* Choppy, rambling, or
incomplete
* No “sentence sense”
* Oral reading difficult.
* Repetitive beginnings
* Spelling errors
impede readability
* Incorrect punctuation
and capitalization
* Many usage and
grammar errors
*Lack of paragraphing
Writing Trait
Score
(1-4)
Student Name ______________________________
Date Assigned _________________________
Assignment Title ____________________________________________
Descriptive Rubric
Excelling
Writing Trait
Ideas/Content
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Conventions
(Grammar
and
Mechanics)
Achieving
4
(95-100)
* Well developed details
add interest
* Sustained focus
* Shows
connections/insights
* Excellent use of 5
senses (imagery)
3
(85-94)
*Developed details add
interest
* Somewhat sustained
focus
* Content clear but reader
still left with questions
* Good use of some of the
5 senses (imagery)
* Introduction and
conclusion add depth and
meaning.
* Effective sequencing
and pacing
* Thoughtful transitions
* Introduction and
conclusion add some depth
and meaning.
* Mostly logical sequencing
and pacing
* Predictable connections
* Basic beginning, middle,
ending
* Sustained engagement
* Authentic and original
* Descriptive language is
powerful.
* Powerful and engaging
words
* Wording
accurate/specific/precise
* Artful use of figurative
language
* Words (language) create
meaningful pictures.
* Easy flow and rhythm
* Strong and varied
sentence structure
* Invites expressive
reading
* Overall sentence
structure enhances
meaning.
* Spelling correct even on
more difficult words
* Accurate punctuation
and capitalization
* Grammar and usage
contribute to clarity.
* Paragraphing enhances
style.
Score ______
Comments:
Developing
Beginning
2
(76-84)
* Some developed
details add some
interest
* Somewhat focused
* Lacks specific
information/Includes
vague details
* Used some of the 5
senses (imagery)
* Introduction and
conclusion superficial
* Sequencing and
pacing confusing
* Connections awkward
* Sketchy beginning,
middle, ending
1
(70-74)
* Details lack
development
* Lacking details
* Extraneous
information
* None of the five
senses used (imagery)
Ex. “it looked good.”
* Mostly sustained
engagement
* Authentic
* Descriptive language is
credible.
* Engaging moments
* Limited authenticity
* Descriptive language
lacks credibility.
* Non-engaging
* No authenticity
* Descriptive language
not present.
* Some active verbs and
precise nouns
* Moments of sparkle here
and there
* Effective use of figurative
language
* Words (language)
enhance the meaning.
* Sentences more
mechanical than fluid
* Sentences usually hang
together.
* Can be read aloud easily
* Sentences begin
differently.
* Generally correct
words; no spice
* Language is
functional.
* Attempt at figurative
language
* Words convey general
meaning.
* Phrasing affects
readability.
* Sentence structure
impairs understanding.
* Portions can be read
aloud easily.
* Too many sentences
begin the same way.
* Spelling correct on
common words
* End punctuation and
easy capitalization
mostly correct
* Grammar errors not
serious
* Paragraphing irregular
* Vocabulary is limited.
* No figurative
language
* Words do not convey
meaning.
* Spelling generally correct
* Punctuation and
capitalization usually
correct
* Grammar and usage are
correct.
* Paragraphing correct
* Introduction or
conclusion missing
* Sequencing and
pacing not present.
* Connections are
confusing or not
present.
* Hard to follow
* Choppy, rambling, or
incomplete
* No “sentence sense”
* Oral reading difficult.
* Repetitive beginnings
* Spelling errors
impede readability
* Incorrect punctuation
and capitalization
* Many usage and
grammar errors
*Lack of paragraphing
Writing Trait
Score
(1-4)
Student Name ______________________________
Date Assigned _________________________
Assignment Title ____________________________________________
Expository Rubric
Excelling
Achieving
Developing
Beginning
4
(95-100)
3
(85-94)
2
(76-84)
1
(70-75)
* Accurate facts and
details about topic
* Sustained focus
* Shows
connections/insights
* Some accurate facts and
details about topic
* Somewhat sustained
focus
* Content clear but reader
still left with questions
* Inaccurate facts about
topic
* Lacking details
* Extraneous
information
Organization
* Introduction and
conclusion add depth and
meaning.
* Effective sequencing
and pacing
* Thoughtful transitions
* Introduction and
conclusion add some depth
and meaning.
* Mostly logical sequencing
and pacing
* Predictable connections
* Basic beginning, middle,
ending
* Some accurate facts
but few details about
topic
* Somewhat focused
* Lacks specific
information
* Includes vague details
* Introduction and
conclusion superficial
* Sequencing and
pacing confusing
* Connections awkward
* Sketchy beginning,
middle, ending
Voice
* Sustained engagement
* Authentic and original
* Purpose is powerful.
* Mostly sustained
engagement
* Authentic
* Purpose is credible.
* Engaging moments
* Limited authenticity
* Purpose lacks
credibility.
* Non-engaging
* No authenticity
* Purpose not present.
* Powerful and engaging
words
* Wording
accurate/specific/precise
* Artful use of figurative
language
* Words (language) create
meaningful pictures.
* Easy flow and rhythm
* Strong and varied
sentence structure
* Invites expressive
reading
* Overall sentence
structure enhances
meaning.
* Spelling correct even on
more difficult words
* Accurate punctuation
and capitalization
* Grammar and usage
contribute to clarity.
* Paragraphing enhances
style.
* Some active verbs and
precise nouns
* Moments of sparkle here
and there
* Effective use of figurative
language
* Words (language)
enhance the meaning.
* Sentences more
mechanical than fluid
* Sentences usually hang
together.
* Can be read aloud easily
* Sentences begin
differently.
* Generally correct
words; no spice
* Language is
functional.
* Attempt at figurative
language
* Words convey general
meaning.
* Phrasing affects
readability.
* Sentence structure
impairs understanding.
* Portions can be read
aloud easily.
* Too many sentences
begin the same way.
* Spelling correct on
common words
* End punctuation and
easy capitalization
mostly correct
* Grammar errors not
serious
* Paragraphing irregular
* Vocabulary is limited.
* No figurative
language
* Words do not convey
meaning.
Writing Trait
Ideas/Content
Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Conventions
(Grammar
and
Mechanics)
* Spelling generally correct
* Punctuation and
capitalization usually
correct
* Grammar and usage are
correct.
* Paragraphing correct
* Introduction or
conclusion missing
* Sequencing and
pacing not present.
* Connections are
confusing or not
present.
* Hard to follow
* Choppy, rambling, or
incomplete
* No “sentence sense”
* Oral reading difficult.
* Repetitive beginnings
* Spelling errors
impede readability
* Incorrect punctuation
and capitalization
* Many usage and
grammar errors
*Lack of paragraphing
Writing Trait
Score
(1-4)
Score ______
Comments
Student Name ______________________________
Date Assigned _________________________
Assignment Title ____________________________________________
Persuasive Rubric
Writing Trait
Ideas/Content
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Conventions
(Grammar
and
Mechanics)
Excelling
Achieving
Developing
4
(95-100)
* Several elaborated
reasons and facts support
writer’s opinion.
* Introduction and
conclusion add depth and
meaning.
* Effective sequencing
and pacing
* Thoughtful transitions
* Opinion developed
clearly.
3
(85-94)
* Some elaborated reasons
and facts support writer’s
opinion.
* Introduction and
conclusion add some depth
and meaning.
* Mostly logical sequencing
and pacing
* Predictable connections
* Basic beginning, middle,
ending
* Opinion stated clearly.
2
(76-84)
* A few elaborated
reasons and facts
support writer’s opinion.
* Introduction and
conclusion superficial
* Sequencing and
pacing confusing
* Connections awkward
* Sketchy beginning,
middle, ending
* Opinion stated but not
clear
1
(70-75)
* Reasons and facts
are missing to support
writer’s opinion.
* Introduction or
conclusion missing
* Sequencing and
pacing not present.
* Connections are
confusing or not
present.
* Hard to follow
* Opinion not stated
* Sustained engagement
* Authentic and original
* Persuasive tone is
powerful.
* Mostly sustained
engagement
* Authentic
* Persuasive tone is
credible.
* Engaging moments
* Limited authenticity
* Persuasive tone lacks
credibility.
* Non-engaging
* No authenticity
* Persuasive tone not
present.
* Powerful and engaging
words
* Wording
accurate/specific/precise
* Artful use of figurative
language
* Words (language) create
meaningful pictures.
* Easy flow and rhythm
* Strong and varied
sentence structure
* Invites expressive
reading
* Overall sentence
structure enhances
meaning.
* Spelling correct even on
more difficult words
* Accurate punctuation
and capitalization
* Grammar and usage
contribute to clarity.
* Paragraphing enhances
style.
* Some active verbs and
precise nouns
* Moments of sparkle here
and there
* Effective use of figurative
language
* Words (language)
enhance the meaning.
* Sentences more
mechanical than fluid
* Sentences usually hang
together.
* Can be read aloud easily
* Sentences begin
differently.
* Generally correct
words; no spice
* Language is
functional.
* Attempt at figurative
language
* Words convey general
meaning.
* Phrasing affects
readability.
* Sentence structure
impairs understanding.
* Portions can be read
aloud easily.
* Too many sentences
begin the same way.
* Spelling correct on
common words
* End punctuation and
easy capitalization
mostly correct
* Grammar errors not
serious
* Paragraphing irregular
* Vocabulary is limited.
* No figurative
language
* Words do not convey
meaning.
Score _______
Comments:
* Spelling generally correct
* Punctuation and
capitalization usually
correct
* Grammar and usage are
correct.
* Paragraphing correct
Beginning
* Choppy, rambling, or
incomplete
* No “sentence sense”
* Oral reading difficult.
* Repetitive beginnings
* Spelling errors
impede readability
* Incorrect punctuation
and capitalization
* Many usage and
grammar errors
*Lack of paragraphing
Writing Trait
Score
(1-4)
3rd-6th


Six Traits
Grade Writing Rubrics
Grading Guide
This grading guide is designed for assessing all six traits of submitted process writing
assignments using the writing rubrics (Narrative, Descriptive, Expository, Persuasive).
Add the six trait scores in the last column of the rubric, and use this grading guide to
determine the score to record for the process writing assignment.
24 = 100
23 = 99 / 98
22 = 97 / 96
21 = 95_____
20 = 94
19 = 92
18 = 90_____
17 = 89 / 88
16 = 87
15 = 85_____
14 = 84
13 = 82
12 = 80_____
11 = 79
10 = 78
9 = 76______
8 = 75
7 = 73
6 = 70