NAME: _______________________________
TEACHER: ____________________________
SCHOOL: _____________________________
DIRECTIONS:
DARTMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
3-5 Writing Rubric
DATE: ____________
(1) Circle genre:
Narrative Argument/Opinion Informative
(2) Indicate expectation level for each trait below.
(3) Attach student work.
EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
MEETS EXPECTATIONS
BEGINNING TO MEET
EXPECTATIONS
IDEAS
 develops a clear and rich
main idea that stays on topic
 uses many specific details to
support the main idea
 develops a clear main idea
that stays on topic
 uses some specific details to
support the main idea
 provides an idea that is
unclear; needs expanding
or condensing
 uses few details
ORGANIZATION
 provides a compelling lead
 organizes ideas in an
effective and logical order
suited to genre
 provides smooth transitions
with words/phrases
 provides a strong conclusion
 provides an appealing lead
 organizes ideas in logical
order suited to genre
 provides adequate transition
with words/phrases
 provides a satisfying
conclusion
 provides a weak lead
 provides some logical
order of details with little
regard to genre
 provides minimal
transitions
 provides a weak conclusion
VOICE
 expresses a strong sense of
individuality and personality
 demonstrates a strong
understanding of purpose
and audience
 expresses some sense of
individuality and personality
 demonstrates an adequate
understanding of purpose
and audience
 uses specific, expressive,
purposeful words and
phrases
 uses distinctive domainspecific vocabulary
 includes vivid verbs
 uses some specific and
expressive words and
phrases
 uses domain-specific
vocabulary
 includes strong verbs
 expresses little
individuality and
personality
 demonstrates a weak
understanding of purpose
and/or audience
 uses few specific and
expressive words and
phrases
 uses general vocabulary
 includes basic verbs
WORD CHOICE
(OVER → )
DOES NOT YET
MEET EXPECTATIONS
 provides an idea that is
unfocused and completely
off topic
 uses no details or unrelated
details
 provides no sense of
beginning
 provides no logical order of
details without regard to
genre
 provides no transitions
 provides no conclusion
 expresses no individuality
and personality
 demonstrates no
understanding of purpose
and audience
 uses no specific and
expressive words and
phrases
 uses general vocabulary
 includes repetitive use of
basic verbs
1/31/11
EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
SENTENCE
FLUENCY
CONVENTIONS
MEETS EXPECTATIONS
BEGINNING TO MEET
EXPECTATIONS
DOES NOT YET
MEET EXPECTATIONS
 writes clear and coherent
sentences throughout
 includes smooth and
rhythmic sentences
throughout
 writes varied sentences
throughout
 writes mostly clear and
coherent sentences
 includes smooth and
rhythmic sentences
 writes varied sentences
most of the time
 writes simple sentences
and/or pattern sentences
 lacks smooth and rhythmic
sentences
 writes varied sentences
some of the time
 writes with fragments
and/or run-ons
 lacks smooth and rhythmic
sentences
 writes sentences with no
variety
 demonstrates command of
grade-appropriate spelling
 demonstrates command of
grade-appropriate grammar
 demonstrates command of
grade-appropriate
punctuation and
capitalization
 takes risks with conventions
beyond grade expectations
 demonstrates command of
grade-appropriate spelling
 demonstrates command of
grade-appropriate grammar
 demonstrates command of
grade-appropriate
punctuation and
capitalization
 uses correct spelling some
of the time
 uses correct grammar
some of the time
 uses correct punctuation
and capitalization some of
the time
 writes with little or no
awareness of correct
spelling
 uses incorrect grammar
 uses incorrect punctuation
or capitalization