Ideas Creative, original ideas Details support the main idea and make it interesting Makes sense and enjoyable to read Believable, reader cares about story Interesting, new ideas Details explain the main ideas, making it more interesting Makes sense Believable, reader is interested Ideas are expressed clearly Reader can identify the main idea that is supported with details Most of the details relate to the main idea Understandable The main idea is presented, although there are some questions Some details, but may be too general or not related to the main idea Very few new ideas presented Is there a main idea? I’m not sure! Either very few details or too many details that aren’t connected Reader is not interested, unsure about the topic No main idea or lots of unrelated ideas No details Writer is confused Reader is confused 6 5 4 3 2 1 Organization Well organized and purposeful Ideas are clearly linked to support a position Compelling lead & convincing conclusion Carefully selected transitions Good organization Ideas are connected and supported with detail Strong lead and appropriate conclusion Strong transitions Reader can follow the organization of ideas Details are connected to main idea Includes a lead and conclusion Helpful transitions Reader can usually follow the organization Details don’t always match main idea Introduction and/or conclusion may need revision Some transitions Hard to follow No clear main idea Too many or not enough details that don’t match main idea Missing lead and/or conclusion Few transitions Impossible to follow No main idea, just a collection of details No lead or conclusion No transitions 6 5 4 3 2 1 Voice Unique, individual and confident voice Passionate Enthusiastic and convincing voice Interested in Occasionally original and/or confident voice Writer sounds Sometimes you can hear the authors voice Too informal, chatty, whiney or sarcastic Cant find a voice Author not interested in
about position, yet never overdone Uses voice to enhance meaning Appropriate voice for the topic and audience topic and conveys purpose to audience Appropriate voice for the topic and audience Interested in topic Appropriate voice for the topic and audience Voice might change May convince the reader, not always sure Usually appropriate for the topic and audience Not very interested in the topic, just listing facts Voice doesn’t match audience topic at all Boring or confusing to read Voice does not match the audience 6 5 4 3 2 1 Word Choice Language grabs the readers attention Uses vivid, natural language including strong verbs and precise nouns Uses unexpected phrasing, including alliteration, analogies & metaphors Enjoyable to read Uses interesting words Uses natural language with strong verbs and nouns Attempts to use alliteration, similes & metaphors Holds readers attention Uses clear language Uses some common words Uses descriptive adjectives and adverbs, good nouns and verbs Adequate, gets the job done Uses words correctly to express meaning Relies on simple, common language Uses familiar nouns and verbs Few adjectives, adverbs or phrases Needs revision Words are very simple or used incorrectly Words get in the way of meaning Same words used over and over Words are very general (e.g. stuff, nice, said, fun) Very simple words Words used incorrectly Very difficult to understand, makes no sense Same words used over and over Reader gives up trying to read it 6 5 4 3 2 1 Sentence Fluency Uses a variety of lengths and structures to enhance meaning Uses variety of sentence openers such as prepositional phrases, clauses, Many sentences begin differently and vary in length Different sentence openers such as prepositional phrases or Sentences begin in a variety of ways Verb tense is usually consistent The subject and verb almost Readable, but often requires self-correction Sentences often begin the same Short, choppy sentences Many incomplete or run-on sentences Short sentences all start with the same word Most sentences are incomplete or run-on
modifiers, participles, Smooth, natural writing begs to be read aloud clauses Consistent tense and subject/verb agreement Writing is easy to read always agree Some repetition; a few awkward moments when read aloud Problems with subject/verb agreement and consistent tense Some run-ons or choppy sentences Sentences begin the same Problems with subject/verb agreement affect meaning Difficult to read Problems with sentence structure and grammar affect meaning Very difficult to read 6 5 4 3 2 1 Conventions Practically perfect! Conventions carefully chosen to enhance meaning Complex text requires wide use of sophisticated punctuation & conventions Ready to publish A few minor errors that don’t affect meaning Attempts and uses sophisticated conventions, not always successfully Almost ready to publish Obvious, but minor errors that don’t affect meaning Simple conventions are fine Some errors in difficult spelling, or sophisticated conventions Easily edited Obvious, distracting errors that may affect meaning Only attempts simple use of conventions Errors on basic spelling, usage & punctuation Needs editing Many obvious, distracting errors Lots of spelling, punctuation and usage errors Serious problems with subject/verb agreement Line-by-line editing required Many serious errors that make it difficult to understand Many misspellings of the same word Capitalization and punctuation is incorrect Needs to be completely rewritten