Social Studies – Writing
Paragraph Analytical Rubric
Item
Advanced
4
Proficient
3
Sufficient
2
Developing
1
Main Idea or Topic Sentence
Paragraph opens with
a clearly stated main
idea.
Paragraph opens
with a main idea.
Main idea is
unclear.
Main idea is not
present.
Factual support
At least 3 accurate
pieces of evidence
are included in
support of the main
idea.
There is at least one
sentence to explain
and interpret each of
3 pieces of evidence.
Closing/Clincher Sentence
Clincher sentence
with strong transition
word clearly ties the
paragraph together
and links back to the
main idea.
At least 1
accurate piece of
evidence is
included in
support of the
main idea.
Makes an
attempt to
explain and
interpret at 1
piece of
evidence.
Minimal attempt
to close the
paragraph. No
transition word.
Weak effort to
link to main idea.
No evidence is
included in
support of the
main idea.
Explaining and interpreting the
evidence.
Mechanics
 Sentence structure
 Grammar
 Capitalization
 Punctuation
Complete sentences;
only a few minor
errors are evident.
At least 2
accurate pieces
of evidence are
included in
support of the
main idea.
There is at least
one sentence to
explain and
interpret at least
2 pieces of
evidence.
Clincher
sentence
includes a basic
transition word.
Sentence ties the
paragraph
together and
makes an
attempt to link
back to main
idea.
Complete
sentences;
some errors are
evident.
Some incomplete
sentences;
many errors are
evident.
Numerous errors
make paragraph
difficult to
understand.
There is no
attempt to
explain or
interpret
evidence.
No attempt to
close the
paragraph. No
summary of
evidence.
Total
Strengths and areas of growth
Points
_______
Skills needing attention
05/12/05