6th Grade Writing Rubric
Ideas & Content (Ideas)
Stays on the topic (Does not ramble or
repeat)
6 Exceeds Stds.
Includes main idea(s) with 4 or more well
developed supporting details
Includes in depth information and
exceptionally supporting details, that are
fully developed
Creates clear/vivid images for reader that
go beyond the obvious or predictable
Organization
Shows mastery of multiple paragraph form
Has an engaging introduction and satisfying
conclusion
Has a clear sequence that enhances meaning
with a beginning, middle, and end
Uses effective, varied, and thoughtful transitions
between sentences and paragraphs
Use of pacing is well controlled
Style (Voice, Word Choice, Fluency)
Language Conventions
Includes dynamic, vivid or challenging words,
enhancing meaning and clarifying understanding
and adding energy and depth
Uses original, unique, authoritative and/or
interesting voice
Uses purposeful and varied sentence beginnings
which add variety and energy
Has complete, complex sentences varying in
length and structure
Uses literary devices very effectively
Has fluent writing with cadence
Few or no errors in capitalization
Few or no run-on sentences or sentence
fragments
Indention of paragraphs all of the time
Few or no errors in punctuation
Few or no errors in subject and verb
agreement
Few or no errors in the spelling of gradelevel-appropriate words
Shows understanding of multiple paragraph
form
Has an inviting introduction and conclusion
Includes dynamic, vivid or challenging words,
enhancing meaning and clarifying understanding
Uses original, unique, authoritative and/or
interesting voice
In depth information and exceptional
supporting fully developed details
Has a clear sequence with a beginning, middle,
and end
Has a variety of complete, complex sentences
Creates clear/vivid images for reader
Uses original ideas
Stays on the topic (Does not ramble or
repeat)
Uses effective and varied transitions between
sentences and paragraphs
Show understanding of multiple paragraph
form
Uses literary devices effectively
Has fluent writing
Includes some dynamic, vivid or challenging
words
4 Meets Stds.
Includes main idea(s) with 3 or more
developed supporting details
Has an effective introduction and conclusion
Uses literary devices
Uses original, unique, authoritative and/or
interesting voice
Creates images for reader
Has a clear sequence with a beginning,
middle, and end
Uses effective transitions between
sentences and paragraphs
Uses complete, complex sentences
Has fluent writing
Uses complete, complex sentences
Has very fluent writing
3 Below Stds. 2 Below Stds. 1 Below Stds.
Stays on the topic (Seldom rambles or
repeats)
Includes main idea(s) with 2 or more
developed supporting details
Shows understanding of paragraph form
Has an identifiable introduction and conclusion
Uses basic vocabulary appropriately
Some capitalization is correct
Attempts to use literary devices
Demonstrates an awareness of audience
Uses simple effective sentence patterns
Some sentences have correct punctuation
5 Exceeds Stds.
Uses original ideas that reflect insight
Stays on the topic (Does not ramble or
repeat)
Includes main idea(s) with 4 or more
developed supporting details
Stays mostly focused on the topic
(Rambling and/or repeating information)
Includes some ideas with relevant details
Stays minimally focused on topic (Has
unrelated, fragmented, or unfinished
details)
Has a logical progression of main ideas and
supporting details--has a beginning, middle, and
end
Attempts transitions between sentences and
paragraphs
Shows some understanding of paragraphs
forms
Lacks introduction and/or conclusion
Has limited sequence of events (May include
only one of the elements: beginning, middle, or
end)
Attempts few transitions
Does not attempt paragraph form
Lacks introduction and/or conclusion
Has limited sequence of events (May include
only one of the elements: beginning, middle, or
end)
Attempts no transitions
Uses basic vocabulary appropriately most of the
time
Demonstrates little awareness of audience
Uses limited basic vocabulary, uses some words
inappropriately
Attempts simple sentence patterns but not
understandable
Demonstrates little or no awareness of audience
4
Most capitalization is correct
Indention of paragraphs all of the time
3
Most sentences contain correct
punctuation
Most sentences use appropriate verb
tense
Most sentences have correct subject and
verb agreement
Most grade-level words are spelled
correctly
Writing has few or none run-on sentences
or sentence fragments
2
Some sentences have correct subject and
verb agreement
Some grade-level-appropriate words spelled
correctly
Writing may have some run-on sentences or
sentence fragments
Indention of paragraphs most of the time
Many errors in capitalization
Punctuation is missing or incorrect
Many errors in subject and verb agreement
Many errors in the spelling
Writing has many run-on sentences or
fragments
Indention of
paragraphs is non-existent
1