Informative/Explanatory Writing Rubric—Grade 2
Informative/
Explanatory
Writing
Ideas
Organization
Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Voice
Conventions
Gr. 2
6
5
3
4
2
1
__The topic includes one
specific strong well
developed idea.
__ Specific and interesting
facts, details and
definitions are included to
develop the idea.
__Includes a clear
introduction and
conclusion with elaborate
supporting details.
__Sequence of events
strongly develops the idea.
__ Many specific temporal
or other linking words are
included.
__Many topic-related words
are used effectively.
__Topic-related words
include detailed
explanations.
__The topic includes one
specific well developed idea.
__ Consistently includes facts,
details and definitions about
the idea.
__The topic includes one
specific idea.
__ Frequently includes
facts, details and/or
definitions about the idea.
__The topic includes one
idea.
__ Attempts to include
facts, details and/or
definitions about the
idea.
__Topic is not focused on
one idea.
__Random facts, details
and/or definitions are
included.
__Topic is not clear.
__Facts, details and/or
definitions are not
included.
__Includes a clear introduction
and conclusion with specific
supporting details.
__ Sequence of ideas effectively
develops the idea.
__ Temporal words and other
linking words are included.
__Includes an introduction,
supporting details, and a
conclusion.
__Ideas go together in a
way that makes sense.
__Some temporal words or
other linking words are
included.
__May be missing an
introduction or a
conclusion.
__Some ideas are out of
place.
__Few temporal words
or other linking words
are included.
__ Consists of a weak
introduction, supporting
details and/or closing.
__ Attempts to place writing
in an order that makes
sense.
__Linking words are
missing or incorrect.
__Does not include an
introduction, supporting
details and/or closing.
__ Writing does not make
sense.
__Most topic-related words are
used effectively.
__Topic-related words are
clearly explained.
__Topic-related words are
evident.
__Some topic related
words are explained.
__Few topic-related
words are evident.
__Topic-related words
may need further
explanation.
__Topic-related words are
not used correctly.
__Explanations of topicrelated words are
confusing and incorrect.
__Topic-related words are
not evident.
__Topic-related words are
used incorrectly.
__Almost all sentences begin
with different words.
__Almost all sentences vary
in length.
__Compound sentences are
used very effectively.
__The writer sounds very
interested and
knowledgeable.
__The writing is always
respectful without
sounding too formal or
stiff.
__Many sentences begin with
different words.
__Many sentences are different
lengths.
__Compound sentences are
used.
__Some sentences begin in
different ways.
__Some sentences are
different lengths.
__A compound sentence
might be used.
__Many sentences begin
with the same words.
__Many sentences are
about the same length.
__Most sentences begin
with the same words.
__Most sentences are about
the same length.
__Many sentences are
written incorrectly.
__There may be many
fragments or run-ons.
__The writer sounds interested
and knowledgeable.
__The writing sounds formal at
times.
__The writer sounds
somewhat interested and
knowledgeable.
__A few places may sound
too stiff or too formal.
__The writer doesn’t sound
knowledgeable about the
topic.
__Much of the writing
sounds too stiff or too
informal.
__The writer is not
knowledgeable about the
topic.
__The reader is
disinterested.
__There are no mistakes in
capitalization, punctuation,
or spelling.
__The writing is completely
easy to read.
__There are only a few
mistakes in capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling.
__The writing is mostly easy to
read.
__There are some mistakes
in capitalization,
punctuation, or spelling.
__The writing is somewhat
easy to read.
__It’s hard to tell how
much the author knows
about the topic.
__The writing sounds
too stiff in some places.
__The writing sounds
too informal in some
places.
__There are mistakes in
capitalization,
punctuation, and
spelling.
__Mistakes make the
paper difficult to read.
__There are many mistakes
in capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling.
__Mistakes cause confusion
for the reader.
__The writing has not been
edited.
__It is very hard to read.
Mount Olive Township Public Schools
Rev. 6/2/14