SD # 23 SWW Rubric – Grade 9
ASPECT
MEANING
• ideas &
information;
• use of detail;
• generalizations
or connections
6 TRAITS IDEAS
FORM
• beginning,
middle, end
• organization &
sequence
• transitions
6 TRAITS ORGANIZATION
STYLE
• clarity, variety,
& impact of
language
Not Yet Within
Expectations
1
 no clear sense of purpose
or narrowed topic
 insufficient or repetitive
details or too many
random thoughts
 reader must make
inferences based on
sketchy or missing details
• reasoning difficult to follow
August 2012
Meets Expectations
2
Minimal – Moderate
2.5
 beginning to define topic, even
though development is still basic
or general
 series of related ideas
attempted as support
 generally accurate, clear details
but may not link to central idea
CONVENTIONS
• complete
sentences
•spelling;
punctuation;
grammar
6 TRAITS CONVENTIONS
 clear purpose
 relevant, quality &
accurate details go
beyond obvious &
develop central idea
 some analysis &
insight
Exceeds
Expectations
4
 clear & focused
purpose
 engaging, relevant,
accurate details enrich
central idea
 maturity, individuality &
insight; goes beyond
obvious
 builds convincing
position; may use
sophisticated strategies
• some difficulty going beyond
general observations to specifics
 builds position
through some quality,
telling details &
examples
 problems with organization
make it hard for reader to
understand central idea
 no real lead - often begins
assuming reader knows
topic & context; lacks intro.
or conclusion or both
 sequencing needs work;
lacks clear sense of
direction
 organization moves reader
through text without too much
confusion.
 recognizable beginning, but
middle may be undeveloped
and/or ending weak, formulaic
 organization sustains
central idea
 related ideas together in
paragraphs but ideas may be
listed rather than developed
 little or no evidence of
paragraphing
 simple transitions with some logic
 smooth & logical
sequence; explicit,
intriguing & effective
paragraphing
 natural, smooth,
thoughtful transitions
 limited vocabulary and/or
unimaginative phrases; may
use clichés, jargon
 conversational & functional
language; generally appropriate
but lacks energy & colour
 writer seems uninvolved
with topic & audience
 writer seems sincere, but not
fully engaged or involved
 reader not inspired to read
on
 some sentence variety & complex
sentences; sentences mostly
constructed in routine way
 paragraphing effective
with logical sequence
of related ideas
together
 transitions connect
ideas clearly in
predictable sequence
 language
appropriate, varied &
often enhances
meaning
 awareness of
audience & clear
engagement with
topic
 uses variety of
sentence types &
lengths effectively
 writing interesting
but not consistently
engaging
 compelling, engaging, &
shows respect for
audience
 reasonable control
of standard writing
conventions
 errors in more
complex language
sometimes
noticeable, but
meaning clear
 some editing
required
 good control of
standard writing
conventions
 may include occasional
errors in complex
language but these do
not interfere with
meaning
 very little editing
required
6 TRAITS WORD
CHOICE
 VOICE
 SENTENCE
FLUENCY
Fully Meets
Expectations
3
 no sense of fluency or flow;
sentences are often short &
choppy or long and
awkward
 writing pleasant, or even
personable, but not compelling
 little control of standard
writing conventions

some control over limited range
of standard writing conventions
 frequent errors in spelling,
punctuation, capitalization,
usage & grammar and/or
paragraphing repeatedly
distract reader & often
interfere with meaning

errors in basic words &
structures noticeable but do not
obscure meaning

moderate editing required
 extensive editing required
5
 includes introduction
& conclusion (could be
formulaic or banal)
 organization enhances
& showcases central
idea
 includes effective
introduction &
satisfying conclusion
 language enhances &
clarifies meaning in
precise, interesting, &
natural way
 speaks directly to
reader in individual
manner
 variety of sentence
types & lengths
effectively create
rhythm & cadence